by Steve Fogg
Editor’s note: Steve Fogg was the only TWIM member, and indeed, the only PNA member to attend USMS Long Course Summer Championships in Sarasota, FL. Steve briefly describes his experiences there, followed by a bit of swimming wisdom he is sharing with all of us. Well done, Steve!
As the only member of PNA to attend this won’t be too comprehensive. It was HOT, HOT, HOT!!! The daily heat indexes met or exceeded 105 degrees Fahrenheit. On Sunday when I went to my rental car the in-car thermometer read 116 degrees, the walk to the car was brutal.
I would usually swim in the early morning before sunrise then return to the hotel until my event. There were places to get out of the direct sun. The Officials, and Timers (Bless Them), endured the conditions and kept the meet moving forward without delay. We experienced only one weather delay and that didn’t last too long, but it did impact my 400 Free. The Thunderstorm arrived during the Mixed Medley Relay, Heat 13. After the delay the meet continued with Heat 14, at the end of the Heats Heat 13 was given the option to re-swim. A few teams did elect to do that.
As for my events, I am happy with the results, both the 50 and 100 Back were well swum (both my times were new PNA records I think), the two finishers ahead of me swam well below their seed times. The 400 Free and 200 Back were fourth place finishes, while not excited with the times I can’t complain about the placement. The 200 Fly, National Champion!! This was an achievement on several levels.
Soap box time. As we enter into the competitive arena, we seem to pick events that we are comfortable with and avoid the others. At my first Spring Nationals, I wanted to swim in several relays. Coach April pointed out that based on the information that she had access to (my Masters swim history), that I was just a Backstroker and that I needed to diversify.
Needless to say, I took that to heart, and this was supported by my coach at that time, Brad Hering. So, becoming an IM’er became the new focus. When COVID struck I decided to pick a Challenge Event for the next few years, first was the 400m/500yd Freestyle, then the 400 IM, then Brad Hering threw the 200 Fly at me (Thank you!).
My point in sharing all of this is to encourage everyone to challenge yourself and pick a new event, don’t shun them. Look at Holly’s 200 Fly in the Dalles meet that was a first (CONGRATULATIONS!), then her 100 Fly was a piece of cake, really?
