Well. Its getting close. Games begin very soon. 10 days now!
Lately I've been training really hard because my race is still 16 days away. I was really tired to today, and that was the plan. Tonight I did a 150m backstroke time trial to see how fast I can go when I'm really exhausted. I got all prepared like I would for a normal race; meet warm up, racing suit, etc. The timing system at the pool was all set up with Pierre as the starter.
I swam a total time of 1:38.19. Faster than what I was out at Trials! I was really pleased with this as my splits were 32.2, 32.9, 33.1. And I maintained my stroke rate at 42 throughout the race. I'm very confident that great things are going to happen.
The team is doing great! Everyone has been training very well. The team's looking strong and ready.
Hope everyone is having an amazing summer!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
An Update
Well, alot has happened since my last post. I kind of fell behind on keeping this blog up to date.
I was very happy to have a few days at home to recharge before attending Summer Nationals. I had some good quality time spent with family and friends that I will not see for the next while.
Summer nationals went fairly well. I didn't expect alot, especially coming off of Junior Worlds. With a 3d place finish in the 200 backstroke, I was pleased with the time of 2:13. I was not necessarily the place, but over my swimming career I've learned that you can't control how fast other competitors swim, only how fast you go. I placed 2nd in the 800 freestyle, where I was pleased with the placing, but not the time; the opposite of my backstroke. I finished 10 seconds over my personal best time. I was out slower than I had hoped with a 4:23, and came back only a second slower for a back 400 split of 4:24.
After summer nationals came to close, it was off to Singapore with the Canadian Team for staging. With a 2 and half hour flight to Vancouver, a few hours lay over, a 12 and half hour flight to Seoul, and a 6 and half hour flight to Singapore, we finally arrived. It was late at night in Singapore, or early in the morning as it was 1 am by the time we got to our rooms. With the time change being a 12 hour difference from home, and having quite a bit of sleep on the plane, I was fairly awake. I unpacked and then put my head to the pillow to try to get myself to sleep for a few hours before having to get up to be on deck for workout around 9 am.
The staging camp has been going very well. Everyone is training very well and the atmosphere has been really positive. The team is amazing. 15 days until swimming begins at the games, and we're ready.
I was very happy to have a few days at home to recharge before attending Summer Nationals. I had some good quality time spent with family and friends that I will not see for the next while.
Summer nationals went fairly well. I didn't expect alot, especially coming off of Junior Worlds. With a 3d place finish in the 200 backstroke, I was pleased with the time of 2:13. I was not necessarily the place, but over my swimming career I've learned that you can't control how fast other competitors swim, only how fast you go. I placed 2nd in the 800 freestyle, where I was pleased with the placing, but not the time; the opposite of my backstroke. I finished 10 seconds over my personal best time. I was out slower than I had hoped with a 4:23, and came back only a second slower for a back 400 split of 4:24.
After summer nationals came to close, it was off to Singapore with the Canadian Team for staging. With a 2 and half hour flight to Vancouver, a few hours lay over, a 12 and half hour flight to Seoul, and a 6 and half hour flight to Singapore, we finally arrived. It was late at night in Singapore, or early in the morning as it was 1 am by the time we got to our rooms. With the time change being a 12 hour difference from home, and having quite a bit of sleep on the plane, I was fairly awake. I unpacked and then put my head to the pillow to try to get myself to sleep for a few hours before having to get up to be on deck for workout around 9 am.
The staging camp has been going very well. Everyone is training very well and the atmosphere has been really positive. The team is amazing. 15 days until swimming begins at the games, and we're ready.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Junior Worlds went really well. The team placed 4th! It was amazing group of dedicated swimmers and I am so proud of all of them. I swam pretty close to all of my best times, this meet has gotten be very pumped for the Olympic Games!
Senior Nationals started today! I came home after Monterrey for a few days, so I am not yet in Winnipeg. I fly out tomorrow and will compete on Friday. These nationals will be very exciting. I'm really looking forward to it. I wish I was their now.
Eric Shanteau's story has really inspired me. Olympic Trials was so stressful, I couldn't imagine going through that with cancer. For all of you that haven't heard his story, here's the link of the article in the New York Times : http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/12/sports/olympics/12swim.html?ex=1216526400&en=14a526fad40df820&ei=5070&emc=eta1
22 days until Opening Ceremonies!
Senior Nationals started today! I came home after Monterrey for a few days, so I am not yet in Winnipeg. I fly out tomorrow and will compete on Friday. These nationals will be very exciting. I'm really looking forward to it. I wish I was their now.
Eric Shanteau's story has really inspired me. Olympic Trials was so stressful, I couldn't imagine going through that with cancer. For all of you that haven't heard his story, here's the link of the article in the New York Times : http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/12/sports/olympics/12swim.html?ex=1216526400&en=14a526fad40df820&ei=5070&emc=eta1
22 days until Opening Ceremonies!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Approaching Junior Worlds
Hello everyone.
32 days until the opening ceremonies! It’s getting close!
I'm competing at the 2nd FINA Junior World Championships in a few days. Competition starts Tuesday with my first event being 100 backstroke. The Canadian team is very strong. We don't know for sure where we stand in the rankings, but our minds are ready to accomplish best times. We finally look like a team too, as we got our team gear a few days before we departed Houston for Monterrey.
In Monterrey it has done nothing but rain since we got here. Our whole team got drenched yesterday walking to go get our accreditation even though it was only a minute walk from the pool.
I'm really looking forward to this meet. I've had some really good workouts the last few weeks and I'm going into this meet with alot of confidence. I'm confident Canada is going to do very well at this meet.
33 days until the swimming begins in Beijing! 38 days until 200m backstroke! Lets go Canada!
32 days until the opening ceremonies! It’s getting close!
I'm competing at the 2nd FINA Junior World Championships in a few days. Competition starts Tuesday with my first event being 100 backstroke. The Canadian team is very strong. We don't know for sure where we stand in the rankings, but our minds are ready to accomplish best times. We finally look like a team too, as we got our team gear a few days before we departed Houston for Monterrey.
In Monterrey it has done nothing but rain since we got here. Our whole team got drenched yesterday walking to go get our accreditation even though it was only a minute walk from the pool.
I'm really looking forward to this meet. I've had some really good workouts the last few weeks and I'm going into this meet with alot of confidence. I'm confident Canada is going to do very well at this meet.
33 days until the swimming begins in Beijing! 38 days until 200m backstroke! Lets go Canada!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Yesterday travelling began, as the Junior World Championship team, including myself travelled to Houston for staging. Most of the team flying to Houston from Toronto experienced some minor delays on our way. First, we had to wait before take off due to the plane having some fuel issues. Then we took a detour to Dallas because Houston airport was closed down due to thunderstorms. After a little over an hour of being stuck in the small plane on the tarmac of the Dallas airport we got the OK to take off and fly to Houston. While in the air we got informed that we could not land yet, and we had to circle in the air for another extra half an hour before landing in Houston. Finally landing in Houston at 8 o'clock, 3 hours behind schedule we had to do a little more waiting for a shuttle. Finally arriving at the hotel around 9:30 pm we got a chance to eat some food and have a goodnight sleep.
This morning the whole team was finally united for our first meal and workout together. The team already has such a strong bond. I'm really looking forward to the Junior Worlds in Monterrey. This team is going to do great things, I can feel it. The atmosphere is filled with excitement and positive attitude. We may not look like a team with our lack of team gear, but we are one at heart. With some minor bumps in the road, were ready to show everyone at the World Juniors what Canada's got.
I believe this meet will get me well prepared for Beijing. The excitement of this meet will get me pumped and ready for the Olympics in August. 43 days til 200m backstroke in Beijing and only 38 days til the games begin!
Have a good Canada Day Everyone!
This morning the whole team was finally united for our first meal and workout together. The team already has such a strong bond. I'm really looking forward to the Junior Worlds in Monterrey. This team is going to do great things, I can feel it. The atmosphere is filled with excitement and positive attitude. We may not look like a team with our lack of team gear, but we are one at heart. With some minor bumps in the road, were ready to show everyone at the World Juniors what Canada's got.
I believe this meet will get me well prepared for Beijing. The excitement of this meet will get me pumped and ready for the Olympics in August. 43 days til 200m backstroke in Beijing and only 38 days til the games begin!
Have a good Canada Day Everyone!
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