Long Course Nationals, Mission Viejo, CA, 8/11-8/15/05

The meet was nicknamed, "The Endless Summer of Swimming." I must admit that it felt endless at times. I was swimming daily, doing double workouts at least twice a week, and going to the weight room four days a week. But I found that when you have a goal, it makes it easier to keep on truckin'. I had much encouragement from lane buddies, as well as all of you in the pool who survived "puke sets" with me (THANK YOU!)

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The meet itself has been an incredible experience. The anticipation is brutal (for me, at least)....but I discovered that lots of people are nervous...and that it builds character to learn to manage one's nerves before an event (Todd has helped me a lot there over the years). I have a framed quote in my office from Eleanor Roosevelt. It reads, "Do something every day that scares you." The rewards stepping up and facing that fear are many...I will mention a few....

Rowdy Gaines (Olympian and Olympics commentator) got on our airplane and sat right behind me! I was walking on deck and had a chance to shake the hand of Olympic Gold Medalist, Gary Hall, Jr. I then watched him swim a 50 Meter Fly in

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24.91! Later, I had my picture taken in between Gary Hall Sr. AND JR.!! I had the amazing experience of swimming next to Gail Roper, a 76 year old Olympian. She told me that she swam in the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki. The water temp was 71 and the air temp was in the 40's! She said they only allowed women to compete in 4 events. She swam the 200 fly -both then and now! I watched four men over 90 swim FAST and set a relay world record.

I saw more technical swimwear than I have seen in my life! (Body suits everywhere!) In essence I felt so priveleged to be in the same water with so many athletes of all ages...I saw so many aging people in terrific shape...it makes me appreciate our sport.

In the final analysis, stepping up to meet this challenge was FUN. I felt especially proud to compete in my first long course 400 IM. Several years ago, I could not have fathomed trying that. I also got to dip my toes in the ocean at Laguna Beach, capping off a wonderful experience. Know that I carried your support and well wishes with me into every race, and it made a BIG difference. Swimmers are the BEST!