US Masters Nationals Recap

Hi Kevin:  Nationals went very well for both Harm-Jan and me.  I was able to train some with Keara's former coach in VA, Dudley Duncan.  He has a pool which we bubbles for only 4 months and so it was good to swim outside again.  They had a good Masters group and we had a couple of tough workouts before we tapered off. 

Day one I swam the 200 Free in 2:08.94 which was a PR and placed 19th. Harm-Jan jumped up on the blocks for his 50 BR and looked strong with a 32.62. After the meet Harm-Jan and I had lunch where he chowed on a steak.  He suggested we meet up for dinner at his favorite restaurant, Bojangles which serves southern fried chicken.  I was suspect but ate there anyway.

Day two Harm-Jan started with the 100BR.  Wow!  a 1:08.86 and 17th place.  Must have been the chicken!  Next Dan swam the 50Free in 26.45.  A PR so maybe Harm-Jan was right about his strict training diet.  Harm-Jan swam the 50Free in 27.93.  After the meet Harm-Jan headed over to Raleigh to have dinner with a colleague. I rested up and had a lighter meal.

Day three  I waited for quite some time to swim the 100Free.  Seems like its always one of the last events.  Warm ups are difficult at these meets since there are so many swimmers.  Warmed up as best I could a couple of time.  Swam the race in 58.61 which was a PR.  Overall, a very good event - well organized and a chance to see the best of the best in all age groups.

Harm-Jan has some video clips of us - 200 Free, 50Free and his Breaststroke events.  I filmed Cullen Jones in the 50 since I wanted to see what a 19.5 looked like - pretty amazing.