Saturday, January 31, 2009

Austin's Junior Varsity District Swim Meet

So I decided to take up swimming this year for those that weren't aware.  I was told by the head football coach at the beginning of the year that I was "not allowed" to play for his team because I didn't play for him my freshmen year.  Which turned out to be okay since the team sucks. Anyway I was kind of running out of options for sports that I could take up in high school, and I didn't want to be a 45 year old man looking back on his high school/childhood wishing that he had done something in his life.  NOT FOR ME.  So I began training to be on the team at the neighborhood pool on my own.  After about 2 months of going to the pool each day and through pure inspiration of Michael Phelps and trying to teach myself the right form and how to train correctly to get into "swimming shape", I got the guts to email the coach, she put me in the pool to see what I could do, and oddly enough she said she'd give me a shot at it.  That was good enough for me. Right when I began swimming on my own (2 months before emailing my coach) I was barely able to swim a lap (25 yards) and in practice not even 2 weeks ago, we were averaging 3-4 miles in the pool per day 210-280 laps over a 3 hour period depending on the workout for the day. Improvement? Not at all :)  Towards the middle of the season I was down to 145 lbs.  (pretty skinny for anyone whose 6 feet tall), and I decided it was getting too ridiculous so I put on 15 lbs. this last month.  I also lost about 4 inches in my waist (28" now), and I like the results it gives me (I've become way more cut as the season has passed on).  Anyway onto the JV Districts meet.  So last night (Friday, January 30th) was our shave down time.  Which was required just FYI.  It took 2 in a half hours to completely shave down, and I had Michael come over to talk to me so I wouldn't be bored out of my mind.  

































(Yes Scott I do workout often)

Anyways continuing on... I woke up this morning at 6:15 (Yes I did get up that early on a Saturday morning for those who don't believe that's possible for me) and had 4 servings of Oatmeal with lots of brown sugar and a banana.  We arrived to the meet and in warmups everyone warmed up with a panty hose, drag suit, and I was the only one who wore a long sleeved shirt.  FYI we do this so when we jump in the water during the actual meet there is such a sensation of absolutely zero drag that it gives you a mental advantage as well as a physical one.  I swam in 4 different events this meet which includes the 200y medley (relay team, everybody swims a different stroke, I swam anchor in the freestyle for 50y), I also swam the 50y individual freestyle (complete sprint, 2 lengths of the pool), the 100y individual freestyle (4 lengths of the pool, almost a complete sprint), and the 200y freestyle relay (4 guys, each swims 50y freestyle).  

My goals for this meet and previous best times to newer best times:

50y freestyle:    old time: 30.34 sec__  goal: 29.99 sec__ actual time: 29.35 sec

100y freestyle:    old time: 1:11.5 sec___goal: 1:09.99___actual time: 1:06.99 sec

Relays: Don't really know the split times because I didn't really care to find out.

Here are some pictures/video from the events I swam in...

This speedo I swam in was a size 26... Even if you get your
own waste size it's still very tight so you could probably
imagine how tight it was...








































This is my 100y free time I'm the 1:06.99







Mom apparently paid Christine $1 to take a picture of this "lion haired" woman (I don't even know if it would be socially acceptable to call her a woman).  And she probably has no idea her picture was blogged onto the internet.  


















50 freestyle video (I look like I'm having a tea party from outside of the
 water, but when you're swimming it it's like a nuclear war in there).

7 comments:

Marleen said...

I love this blog!

Pops said...

Good blog, Austin.

We called that woman the Lion Queen. Mom caught her in the bathroom primping. The humidity in the natatorium didn't match up too well with the Serengeti. Christine is basking in her new wealth.

Scott said...

Sweet post Austin! You're freaking huge! We should compare your current picture to that video of you flexing a few years ago where you had to draw your muscles on. I want some swimming lessons next time we're down there in Houston.

I'm glad the whole family is getting in on this posting. It makes wasting time on the internet so much more fun. Congratulations Austin on swimming well.

Melissa said...

Wow! Austin that is so great! Way to go. Swimming is very difficult. You look like a pro.

DelinClint said...

nice dude

DelinClint said...

by the way i love that pictures were taken of the lion lady. bien hecho

Page said...

Go, Austin!

Jen, where is your birthday post?? Happy b-day, friend!!!!!!!1