This weekend was the 2014 Nationwide U.S. Masters Swimming Spring National Championships in Santa Clara, CA. I competed in five events and had some really great swims (and one giant disappointment).
I swam personal best times in:
- 50 breast (37.75)
- 100 breast (1:18.62)
- 50 fly (35.57)
Season best time of 1:17.86 in 100 IM (personal best is 1:17.11).
The only thing I didn’t “best” in was 200 breaststroke. Which is VERY frustrating because that was the event I was supposed to do the best in, and the even I expected to medal in. But I choked and only swam a 2:52.47.
My best time in 200 breast is 2:51.81, and I swam that last year at the Pacific Masters Championship meet. The best I’ve done this year was when I swam 2:52.21 at Rinconada in March this year. So that’s frustrating. But, I haven’t been training well or consistently this year. So, I can’t really get too mad about not doing as well as I wanted to in that event. Especially when I did so well in the other (shorter) events. There is always summer and fall seasons… and then next year… 🙂
Even though I’m disappointed with my 200 breast race, I am ecstatic and still a bit in awe that I swam a 1:18 in the 100 breast on Friday. That is actually a lifetime best for me. The fastest I ever swam that event in high school was a 1:19.04. It took me FOREVER to break 1:20 in high school, and I just smashed through that barrier on Friday. I am so excited about that time. I can’t believe it! That was truly the highlight of the meet for me.
The other awesome thing is that I’m climbing in the national rankings. Below is were I currently stand in the National rankings for my age group (these are not quite final yet, but will be at the end of this month):
- 200 breast — 18th (20th last year)
- 100 breast — 30th (32nd last year)
- 50 breast — 50th (54th last year)
- 200 fly — 23rd (didn’t swim this event last season)
- 100 fly — 60th (didn’t swim this event last season)
- 200 IM — 64th (didn’t swim this event last season)
So… even though this season has had its challenges… I am pretty satisfied with these results. And I am already itching to get registered for my next race… Bring on open water and long course summer seasons! Hooray!
EMM Blogs 