After a long rest

USMS Spring Nationals - Day 3

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, April 27th, 2015 at 08:35 PM (1922 Views)

We had our nationals team dinner on Saturday night at Brio Tuscan Grill which was near the pool and our team hotel. The restaurant had a large party room and we filled the room. The food was terrific however the speed of service was terrible, the air temperature could only be described as Antarctic and trying to pay was almost impossible taking over an hour. Despite these difficulties it was great fun hanging out with all my team mates.

I managed to get an extra hour of sleep on Saturday night since my first event was not until after the women's 500 free and the 30 minute break. At dinner on Saturday one of my team mates asked if I would count for her which meant I missed out on a little extra sleep but I am so glad I said yes. She proceeded to swim a great 500 and ended up 8th which was really great fun to watch and see her reaction when she was done. Well worth missing out on the sleep. Sunday was my short day swimming the mixed medley relay, 50 back and 100 free. I was the lead off on the medley relay and went 25.9 which was a good time and beat my time on the men's medley relay by .4. Next up was the 50 back. I felt good going in and thought I could go 25.5. I had a terrible start and ended up coming up last but made up some ground before the turn and caught up and almost beat 2nd and 3rd(mike Ross went 23.7 for the win with his incredible underwaters). I went 28.8 which again I was happy with but know I could have gone much faster with a better start. I was very tired before my last event, the 100 free but I was determined to give it everything I had which I did going 49.02.

Overall i REALLY enjoyed the meet. Honestly two to three weeks ago I did not think I was going to make the meet let alone win medals at the meet. The highlight of my meet was the free relay. I so wanted to win the 200 free and be in a stroke for stroke race with Patrick and Steve on the 500 but alas these were not meant to be this go around. It was great swimming with all my friends and especially our extended team mates from Pittsburgh.

Today was was back to work with a bang and I am off to New Orleans with work tomorrow for the rest of the week.

For or those who have been following the traumas of the Carrolls the past few months, my family could not come down to Nationals due to sickness. Also my sons recovery from his double concussion is still ongoing. On Friday we heard some news from the specialist he is seeing and they said they are still concerned about his balance and cognitive recovery and we are afraid there could be some permanent damage; he is still getting severe headaches. Today he went for another MRI and we are hoping to hear some good news based on seeing some positive changes since his last MRI shortly after the second concussion. I will be glad when we can put all this stuff behind us and focus on just normal everyday issues.

Updated April 28th, 2015 at 10:59 PM by StewartACarroll

Categories: Masters Swim Meets / Events

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Comments

The Fortress - April 27th, 2015 09:41 PM
You had a splendid meet! Especially considering all your travails of late. Your backstroke times were all masters PRs right? And you had to enjoy the win in the 100. I likewise think your long course 200 back will be really awesome. And grabbing those wins in the relays is priceless. I know you were somewhat disappointed in your freestyle events. I honestly don't think you rested enough -- too much long course and too much race pace work too close to the meet.

I will be sending good vibes for your son. We RAM team members have not had it easy on the medical front lately. Did the principal of his school follow through as he had promised? Concussions can take a long time to recover from. One of my swimmers is in the process, and it's taking a frustratingly long time.

Updated April 27th, 2015 at 11:01 PM by The Fortress
knelson - April 28th, 2015 01:05 AM
Ditto what Leslie said. Picking up the win in the 100 back had to be exciting!
pwb - April 28th, 2015 02:21 AM
Stewart, it was great to see you, race you and hang out a bit. The meet, in hindsight, was a blur for me; I had fun, but need to spend more time next year (3 or 4 days).

I really hope everything goes better soon for your son.

... and I hope to swim with you again someplace. It looks like I'll be spending a lot of time in San Francisco between now and July, so let me know if/when you're headed there or if biz travel ever brings you back to Phoenix.
StewartACarroll - April 28th, 2015 01:39 PM
Originally Posted by The Fortress

You had a splendid meet! Especially considering all your travails of late. Your backstroke times were all masters PRs right? And you had to enjoy the win in the 100. I likewise think your long course 200 back will be really awesome. And grabbing those wins in the relays is priceless. I know you were somewhat disappointed in your freestyle events. I honestly don't think you rested enough -- too much long course and too much race pace work too close to the meet.

I will be sending good vibes for your son. We RAM team members have not had it easy on the medical front lately. Did the principal of his school follow through as he had promised? Concussions can take a long time to recover from. One of my swimmers is in the process, and it's taking a frustratingly long time.

Yes the backstroke events were best times and like you said I have some great opportunities to build on these over the summer. I was very happy with these swims. I was disappointed with the free events but unlike prior tapers I know I did my best based on where I was. I am not beating myself up on any swims. The relays were awesome and I will have memories I will cherish forever.
StewartACarroll - April 28th, 2015 01:40 PM
Originally Posted by knelson

Ditto what Leslie said. Picking up the win in the 100 back had to be exciting!

it was great but honestly paled compared to the relays. I was very happy with all my back swims. Thanks Kirk.
Water Rat - April 28th, 2015 03:58 PM
Stewart, can't thank you enough for inviting me onto those awesome relays. It was great getting to know you and geeking out on swimming for 3 days. I'm in withdrawal now.
Really enjoyed watching your races and even racing you. Next time the 100's mine!
StewartACarroll - April 28th, 2015 06:05 PM
Originally Posted by pwb

Stewart, it was great to see you, race you and hang out a bit. The meet, in hindsight, was a blur for me.

Likewise on both fronts Patrick.

Originally Posted by pwb

I really hope everything goes better soon for your son.

Thanks so much.

Originally Posted by pwb

I hope to swim with you again someplace. It looks like I'll be spending a lot of time in San Francisco between now and July, so let me know if/when you're headed there or if biz travel ever brings you back to Phoenix.

I am likely to visit San Francisco in June and will definitely let you know when.
StewartACarroll - April 28th, 2015 06:07 PM
Originally Posted by Water Rat

Stewart, can't thank you enough for inviting me onto those awesome relays. It was great getting to know you and geeking out on swimming for 3 days. I'm in withdrawal now.
Really enjoyed watching your races and even racing you. Next time the 100's mine!

It was our pleasure. It was a lot of fun and we will definitely get to race the 100 again.