City Meet 2014

The summer swim season officially ended (at least for the 8 and under crowd) yesterday at the conclusion of City Meet.  Thomas was a bit nervous as we made our way for his 8:30 am arrival, but everyone in the tent said they didn’t notice his nerves.  He was content to have some time to play on the iPad.  I think that’s what they love most about swimming!

I think I was far more nervous than he was by the time it was his turn to swim.  My hand was trembling and I could hardly hold the phone to video.  I said a prayer that he would do his best…that’s all I wanted for him.  I knew he wasn’t going to finish first overall, but I just wanted him to do his best.  And he did!  Thomas is in lane three (they start their lane count from the top…):

Thomas swims his best butterfly of the year

His “seed” time (what he was expected to swim based on previous competitions) was 26.44 seconds.  He swam in 23.64 seconds (according to his official time…I time him a few tenths faster).  His coach was SHOCKED at how well he swam.  I love my son, but his form has not always been perfect and there was some concern that he could get his arms going properly…but he did. 

His teammate won the heat, so it was great that they finished together and SO CLOSE.  In the end, his teammate finished 23rd overall and Thomas was 27th (that shows you how close all the times are!).  That is out of 44 swimmers total.

Next up, after a little rest, was his turn for breaststroke.  He was apparently seeded slightly higher, so perhaps the competition was  a little tougher.  And he was placed in lane 1, which for one reason or another, is not the ideal lane.  Anyway, here he goes in lane 1 (the top lane):

breaststroke at City Meet

I think he finished last in this heat.  It wasn’t his best swim, but it wasn’t his worst! :)  Most importantly he didn’t DQ and I think as long as he finished in the top 30, he earned points for his team.  He finished 30th (of 43 total…and there were six disqualifications.  It was by far the most DQ’d stroke.).  His seed time was 29.44 seconds and his actual time was 31.26.

In the end, the most important and best thing about the whole experience is how proud he was of himself.  He said several times, “I’m so proud of myself too!”  When I told him he finished 27th and 30th, he said, “Not bad!” 

Even though sometimes I wish he’d be a little more competitive, I’m thankful that he doesn’t take himself too seriously and that he’s able to see the big picture.  He should be proud of himself and I am too!

City Meet 2014–To swim or not to swim?

I was pretty sure we’d learn at practice yesterday if Thomas was picked to swim for his team at City Meet.  As mentioned previously, City Meet is the big meet at the end of each swim season for all 22 teams from the Coastal Carolina Aquatic Association.  Up to two swimmers from each team compete in each individual stroke and there are the two relays as well.  Also, kids 9 and older can swim the IM—individual medley.  Any one swimmer can swim up to two individual strokes, both relays and the IM. 

I was pretty sure Thomas was up for consideration for butterfly & breaststroke (his coach had told me that) and the freestyle relay.  His freestyle time was good, but not the best, on Tuesday, so I was thinking he probably was out of the relay.

Anyway, during practice they posted the “heat sheet” and Thomas checked it out as he was leaving.  He was so excited to find his name on there twice!

Earlier in the day, he was acting like he didn’t really care either way if he was selected.  But judging from his reaction, I think he really did care.  He was so happy.  He will be swimming butterfly & breaststroke at the City Meet on Saturday, July 19.  Now for what he doesn’t know… city meet swimmers have to practice every day next week for two hours a day.  Oh well, we’ll enjoy the sheer joy for today.  :)

Swim meet #8–the last one of the season…sort of

Last night was the final swim meet of the season.  In a way, it feels like the meets passed by quickly, but then again, I feel like we’ve been going to swim practice for AGES!  It will be nice to stop the five-day-a-week schedule here soon.

We found out the day before the meet that Thomas is “on the cusp” of eligibility for City Meet.  The team sends their top two swimmers in each stroke for each age group.  Well, sort of their top two.  Because limitations only allow one swimmer to swim no more than two strokes and all relays, sometimes it helps other swimmers get included.   While Thomas wasn’t necessarily the fastest at breaststroke, he did swim it for points in every meet (except the one we pulled him out for his eye injury).  He has really improved his time over the past two weeks.  Also, it’s a stroke that many of the younger children cannot swim legally (in other words, they do something that gets them disqualified).  Aside from the first meet, Thomas has remained legal.  Thomas has the third or fourth fastest times in freestyle, so I knew he was probably not in the race for that stroke.  However, his butterfly time from the mock meet has remained the fastest of the season until someone did a little better last week.  He has only competed in it a few times, but swam it exhibition the week he had the eye injury and had a decent time then as well.  So his coach told me on Monday that he would be swimming breaststroke and butterfly “for  points” and how he did would determine if he goes to City Meet or not.  No pressure, right? 

He also was put in the final freestyle relay.  He loves swimming the relay and always swims faster than individually. It’s also where he’s managed to win all of his first place ribbons this season.  I guess it’s all about synergy, right?

First it was Parker’s turn to swim – freestyle exhibition.  Unfortunately he was so excited, he forgot to pull down his goggles, so his swim was not his best.  He had such a good swim last week though, I know next year he’s going to improve even more!  He’s in lane 4:

Parker attempts to swim without goggles

Then came Thomas in his exhibition freestyle.  I had hoped he would swim against the swimmers going for points because he always swims best in that scenario.  But I told him he needed to finish super fast no matter what if he wanted a chance to be in the freestyle relay at City Meet.  He did finish first in his heat, but his time was a second or two too slow to get him in the relay.  Oh well!  He’s in lane 3:

Thomas finishes first in his heat

Ignore my slightly obnoxious cheering.  I was trying to push him a little faster after finding out it really seemed to help!

Next up was Thomas in butterfly.  It was his first competitive event of the evening.  I should probably point out that our competition was really strong.  We are the bottom rung of the middle league, and they are in the top league.  It showed.  But what Thomas needed to do was come in ahead of his teammate.  And he did.  That’s him in lane 5:

Third place finish qualifies him for City Meet

Since he finished ahead of his teammate and they were both basically competing for the second butterfly spot for City Meet, I was rather certain he’d be in.  And, the child swimming in lane 1 for exhibition is the other person I thought would be swimming in City Meet (and Thomas finished ahead of him too).

Next up, Parker swam backstroke.  At least this time, a goggle mishap wouldn’t affect him.  :)  He’s at the lane all the way on the other side.  He did well.  For some reason, they didn’t record his time, but by my count, it’s his best backstroke of the season!

Parker’s best backstroke of the season

Next up was Thomas in the breaststroke.  It’s been his greatest challenge this season.  It started out as one of his least favorite, but they kept putting him in it for competition.  So he had to learn to like it.  And as his times have improved, his confidence and technique have too.  While it would have been best if he finished ahead of his teammate, he really just needed to keep a decent time (and for his teammate not to have too fabulous of a time).  Thomas is in lane 5.

Lane 5

It was his third best time of the season, and his FIRST fourth place finish of the season (pretty remarkable considering that’s just about all he earned last season), but it might be enough for City Meet.

The final event of the night (and the season) were the freestyle relay.  The coach for the 6&under group decided to put together a relay for that group.  It was their first attempt at a relay (and only for exhibition, of course), but they were all happy to participate. 

Simultaneously, Thomas and his teammates were swimming for points.  Thomas swam the second leg for the first time (he prefers the odd legs because they get to start from the blocks at our pool), but he did fine.  He’s in Lane 3 (I missed his start, so he’s already moving away from the wall)…

Thomas swims second leg of freestyle relay

Thomas managed to continue the large lead against their opponent and his team finished first in the relay.  Thomas swam in five of the eight freestyle relays this season; and three of those earned first place ribbons. 

Soon after he finished, Parker swam his leg.  He swam the third leg of his relay.  He’s diving off the block in lane 5:

Fun in the freestyle relay

Both boys have had a great season, and I’m so proud of them for their hard work and progress.  Being part of the swim team is a HUGE commitment, but it’s also a lot of fun and the boys really seem to enjoy it—for the most part.  Those ribbons sure do help:

Way to go Stingrays!

Swim meet #7

The boys were excited their grandparents (Umpa & Nana) were coming to see them for their seventh meet of the season.  Thomas was excited to be back in his coaches’ good graces (a little bit) and to be swimming for points for two events.  Parker was excited to be at a home meet where his group swims freestyle and backstroke.

Thomas was up first swimming breaststroke in the exhibition lane for the mixed medley relay.  I was hopeful he’d swim fast since he did so well on Tuesday, but for some reason, he was a bit off.  I think he prefers to start from the block (or at least dive in), but the city rules mandate that the teams are not allowed to dive in on the shallow side of the pool.  Anyway, I’m not even going to share his time.  Let’s just say it was his slowest of the season.

Thomas breaststroke in medley relay exhibition

Next was Parker in the freestyle exhibition.  He swam his best 25M time of the season at 34.18 seconds.  He was in lane 5.

Parker in lane 5

Thomas swam next, also exhibition.  However, he swam in the “points heat,” so he was swimming against the swimmers who were swimming for points.  He technically finished tied for third place and had his best 25M time of the season also at 22.08 (by my count…haven’t seen the official time yet).  He is in Lane 1:

Thomas in lane 1

He is supposed to swim for points in freestyle for the next (final) meet, so we’ll see if he can keep up with his improving times!

Next, Parker swam exhibition backstroke.  He improved his time from 51 seconds last time to 38.86 this time.  Much better!  He’s in lane 3:

Parker backstroke in lane 3

As it got darker, we realized something was a little odd.  Most of the lights in and around the pool were not working.  Only one of four lights in the pool and one of five lights around the pool were working.  Despite many efforts to get them on, it didn’t happen, so it was strangely dark during the final rounds of events.

Thomas was next to swim, for points, in breaststroke.  He improved his time (30.88 by my stopwatch) even more than his Tuesday time, but came in third.  Still, a personal best and so very proud of him for that!  He was in lane 3.

Thomas breaststroke in the dark in lane 3

Finally, he was in the final event of the night, the 100M freestyle relay.  He swam the third leg and he did well.  I have his time at 21.40 seconds (which as usual, is better than his individual time) – his best 25M time of the season.  Even better, his relay team finished first, so he got his second blue ribbon of the season (the other was also for a relay).  He’s in the top of the two lanes competing (it’s a bit hard to see!).

In the end, the team FINALLY took home their first win of the season, winning 325-206.  Way to go JI!  One more meet to go on Tuesday.

Swim meet #6

This is the last week with two swim meets.  Hard to believe the swim season is already coming to a close.  And just like last year, Thomas is really starting to improve, just as the season is ending. 

Last night’s meet was in Crowfield, which is in Goose Creek.  It was the longest drive of the season and the pool was a little shorter (a 25 yard pool instead of a 25 meter pool).

Thomas’ only points event was breaststroke, but he also swam exhibition freestyle and in the exhibition freestyle relay.  Parker swam freestyle.

Parker was first.  His time was much better (though the pool is a tiny bit shorter), so that’s great (32.36 seconds by my count).  “Personal bests” are good! He’s in what they call Lane 4 (three lanes from the camera).

Parker swims personal best 32.36 seconds

Next up was Thomas.  He also swam much better and had his personal best of the season at 21.54 seconds (by my count).  He’s in the lane at the top of the screen.  He finished first in his heat.

Thomas swims to a personal best

Next was Thomas in breaststroke.  He surprised all of us, but mostly himself, by swimming his best lap of the season in the stroke.  It was comical.  He got close to the end and did a triple take to see where his competitors were because he was so shocked to be in the lead.  The triple take slowed him down just enough to lose first place, sadly, but I was still super proud of him for swimming so much better.  He was 6 seconds faster than his previous time.  Not sure of his actual recorded time, but I have him at 31.06.  He’s in Lane 4 (three lanes from the camera):

Thomas swims best breaststroke of the season

Finally he swam the final freestyle relay for exhibition.  He swam the fourth/final leg and he swam it very well.  His coaches even remarked the next day how much better he swam in all of his events.  He was on the heatsheet as swimming the second leg, so that’s why I videoed the more than I needed, but you’ll see him at the end (swimming from left to right).

Thomas swims final leg of exhibition freestyle relay

I have his time for that leg as 20.84, which also would be his best of the season.  Way to go Thomas!

In the end, the team didn’t win, but Thomas improved so much I was so proud of him.  Also, I could tell it really gave him the boost of confidence he needed to continue to improve.  And I could say the same for Parker as well.  Awesome job, boys!

Oh, and Thomas’ coach told me Thomas swam himself back into the freestyle relay (for points) at the next meet (tomorrow).  I’m sure it’s also because some kids are out of town, but I’m hoping he makes the best of the opportunity and continues to improve. Only two more meets to go!

Let’s hope they do come in threes

“Why do these things keep happening to me?!?” Thomas cried out last night.  It broke my heart.  Poor kid has had a rough week!  First the jagged metal hanging off the broken tent post cut him last Thursday at a swim meet, then the wagon handle seemed to find his eye on Monday and then tonight, he stepped on something a few feet from our dinner table. 

We were quite perplexed as to what it was.  I had just vacuumed the day before and couldn’t tell you when the last time we broke anything sharp.  But he was clearly in pain and something had clearly pierced his heel.  After trying to find it and get it out ourselves, we couldn’t seem to figure it out.  We were pretty sure SOMETHING was in there…you could sort of see it just under the surface of the skin and Thomas was begging to go to the doctor.  So we took him to the local urgent care facility.  I think the doctor thought we were a bit crazy and thought there was nothing in his foot.  He told Thomas he could dig around in there or give him an xray.  I was sort of against him having an x-ray when it seemed a bit unnecessary, but I was feeling so sorry for Thomas and didn’t want him to have any more pain than necessary.  If I had it to do again, we would have skipped the x-ray and I would have followed my intuition that KNEW something was there…but we had the xray, and sure enough…something was there:

See that little thing right there in his heel?  Turned out to be a very small, but very jagged piece of glass  -- about a 1/2 a centimeter long and 1/4 centimeter wide.  Still don’t know where on earth it came from, but after a numbing shot and then almost 10 minutes of digging around by the doctor, it was finally out.  Whew.  If things do in fact come in threes, then that’s his third freak accident in a week, so let’s be done for at least a year.  Thanks universe.  :)

Swim meet #5

Perhaps the crazy mishap at the last meet with the piece of metal finding Thomas was a bit of foreshadowing of things to come.  After Vacation Bible School on Monday the boys decided to set up their lemonade stand again (they had been cut short by bad weather and a wayward raccoon on Sunday).  So they did and some friends came over to give them some business.

Thomas was just sitting in the chair at the stand while a friend’s 4-year old was playing with the metal wagon next to him.  He managed to kick the handle up and it flew up and hit Thomas in the eye (or next to his eye).  I was thankful it didn’t hurt his actual eye, but it didn’t dawn on me until it was time for swim practice that it might pose a problem for swimming.  It was pretty bruised and very sore and he was not able to put on his goggles without pain.

He was unable to practice on Monday.  I talked about it with his coaches and we decided that he would not be put in anything for “points” at Tuesday’s meet just in case he was not able to swim.  We asked them to put him in butterfly and freestyle exhibitions and they agreed.  We had him ice it a lot on Monday evening and luckily by Tuesday morning’s practice he was able to wear his goggles.  Still, we enjoyed a little break from having to stay until the end of the meet for relays!

Parker was up first with the 6 & under freestyle exhibition.  As he was lining up, a friend asked me why Parker wasn’t wearing his goggles.  I knew that he had them, so I rushed over to find out what had happened.  He was next to jump in and told me he had given his to a friend who forgot his.  I told him that was very nice of him, but I would rather he (Parker) swim with his and I had a spare pair I was happy to loan his friend.  So I put them back on Parker, rushed over to get the spare set and rushed back just in time to give the goggles to the other boy and see Parker swim.  Unfortunately, I did not have my phone with me and was unable to video his swim.  Just trust me when I say he did much better and it was great to finally see some improvement with his swim!

Thomas was up next for his freestyle exhibition. He managed to get his lowest recorded individual time of the season (he swims faster in the relay, but those times aren’t recorded individually).  So that was good.  He was in lane 5 and swam in 24.50 seconds.

Thomas swims personal season best freestyle exhibition

He didn’t have long before his next event, butterfly.  He was happy to be swimming it again.  I’m not sure his stroke was his best, but his time was okay.  He was swimming exhibition, but finished a half second behind the 3rd place finisher.  His recorded time was 31.19 seconds.  He is swimming here in Lane 1 (closest to the camera):

Thomas swims butterfly exhibition

Next up, this was the first meet when all 6 & unders swam backstroke.  Parker is JUST learning this and his technique needs some work, but he seemed to have fun with it.  His time was 51 seconds.  But that was 51 seconds with a lot of smiles.

Parker swims backstroke for first time at meet

While we didn’t stay for the end, the team just barely missed out on this one too…losing by about 23 points.