This entry is a little dated, right when I was the most involved in the tea party movement and President Obama was new. Still, was thinking about these books today. They are so good.
In my last post I mentioned how inspired I felt by Glenn Beck’s new 9/12 initiative. Normally my posts are viewed by a handful of family and friends (15-35 visits a day). Both of the political posts I did caused huge upswings in visits- especially my last post. I was shocked to have nearly 500 visits in the last 3 days! That post also had a record 11 comments. It was great!
Clearly this discussion has touched a nerve with people and it caused me to wonder why?I asked the same question during the Democratic primaries- why was the country more interested in a community activist from Chicago than the slick experienced Clinton machine? I believe the election of President Obama, and to a smaller extent the initial response to the 9/12 project, shows the desire of the American people to connect with a cause- to be gathered together for…
After a rough week, today was just about the perfect day. It was the first US Masters Swimming meet of the season at the South Davis Rec Center (SDRC). First of all this building is amazing. They have 4 pools, an ice skating rink, basketball, and rock climbing wall. I’ve never seen anything like it. The Rec Centers, libraries and parks in Utah are without compare to any other region in the country (and all for one of the lowest per capita spending in country…hmmm). Anyway, they are fabulous and I’m grateful for them.
I’m also grateful for all the people who volunteer their time to make Utah Masters a great organization and who put in so much effort to making the meet a success. It was a great day of swimming! It actually started Friday for the 1650 swimmers (Go Etsuko!) but I didn’t participate until today. I must admit that I felt wholly unprepared for the meet. While I’ve kept my exercise up I haven’t gotten to the pool as much as I’d like since my surgery in September. Still, I signed up for 4 races (I was thinking I’d only done 3 but then it turns out there were 4).
I ended up with the 50 free, 50 fly, 500 free and 200 free. Each one was hard in their own way and I am completely exhausted. I don’t know if I will be able to move tomorrow but it was worth it (things are going to be rough during the primary program tomorrow…).
All in all I had a great meet, much better than I anticipated! I bettered or came close to all of my times last year. My 500 was nearly 6 seconds better than last year!
50 free- Time 50.05. Would have been better but my goggles came off and were hanging around my neck. This meant I was swimming without great visibility and couldn’t flip turn. (I hate flip turns). They are new goggles and I guess I hadn’t gotten them quite tight enough. For once Michael Phelps and I have something in common 😉
the goggles that caused me so much grief!
50 fly- Time 1:01.9. This was a hair under what I’d done at QUAC in February but I have literally swam butterfly about 3 times since so I was thrilled with that time. All of my races including this one gave me a lot of encouragement to rock it at QUAC this year (that’s the next meet).
500 free- Time 12:54.7. I think my last time was 12:59. Especially after just doing a 50 fly I was thrilled with this time. My cap came off about half way through and I couldn’t see the lap counter until Josh stepped in and saved the day. My plan was to just swim until someone told me to stop! It was exhausting but I finished and I’m super happy! My head felt like it was going to explode after but considering my lack of distance swimming lately I think it was a great to even make the attempt, let alone finish. It’s funny- you would think if I can do a 5k, a 500 would be no sweat but I’m telling you the flipturns zap energy. In some ways a day of swimming at the meet feels harder than the 5k!
200 free- Time 4:33.8. I don’t remember what my last time for this was. You have to go way back to JCC meet last September and I don’t have it written down. Still, it felt fast especially considering how exhausted I was. Its only my darn stubbornness that made me swim it. I just can’t sign up for something and back down without some major fighting (all the trauma over Slam the Dam proved that…).
Mostly it was great to just be there swimming with my friends. Everyone was so encouraging and as I was always the last to finish the entire room was usually cheering me on. Who cannot be pumped up by that? I love my swim friends. Makes me very happy!
Etsuko and I went to Village Inn afterwards and enjoyed some yummy carbs. It was great to spend time together and reward ourselves for a meet well swam!
After the 500My friend Goody and meMy friend Josh and me. Josh, Gordon and many others do so much to start SLOW (Salt Lake Open Water Masters Club!)Self portraits are so much better since I had the surgeryKate sacrificed 2 days to volunteer as a time keeper for the meet.Rah! I was pumped after this meetWon a new safe swimmer. Great for swimming with friends this summer or maybe even in an open water date (that’s the dream!)Etsuko and I at meet. She did a 1650! That’s like 65 flip turns…LOVE THIS PHOTO!Etsuko enjoying peppermint hot chocolateCheers for a job well done!
In my last post I mentioned how inspired I felt by Glenn Beck’s new 9/12 initiative. Normally my posts are viewed by a handful of family and friends (15-35 visits a day). Both of the political posts I did caused huge upswings in visits- especially my last post. I was shocked to have nearly 500 visits in the last 3 days! That post also had a record 11 comments. It was great!
Rachel's Musings 