a swimmer

it has been so much fun these past couple of weeks, learning all about the swimming world! two fridays ago was hailey's first scheduled meet for the carillo pumas. she found out which events she would be swimming in on thursday at practice. when i picked her up she told me, "i almost started crying." she was supposed to swim in the 500 free (20 laps) and the 50 fly. she was a little anxious about it to say the least. she had no idea how to pace herself for the long one, and didn't feel like she was very good at the fly. then her team mates started talking about what she should be eating to prepare and we were lost. i thought about calling nick lords and asking him what he eats before a marathon, but figured we would survive this somehow. that night we went to her other coach at swim practice and he gave her some tips for her meet...i'm not sure if she slept at all that night. :)

the next morning, rain...rain...and more rain. the forecast was for 5 inches of rain that day. the meet was in napa, and the team actually boarded the bus and got about half way there when they called to cancel it. the bus turned around and the swimmers came back to santa rosa for a practice meet amongst themselves. good idea! hailey didn't swim in either of the events she had been preparing for (mentally), but instead swam in four other events. a couple of relays, the IM and another one. it was a good practice. the anxiety level went down considerably. i was now allowed to be a spectator at the next meet. :)

the following thursday, march 4th, was their first official meet. against their toughest competition, cardinal newman & ursuline! That made the pressure a little heavier, but i think she had the time of her life. her events were; a relay (her leg was 50 fly), 500 free, 100 breast, and a relay (her leg was 50 free). she was awesome!!! i had already told her she would get a standing ovation from me if she just finished the 500 free. she did better than finish...she took second! i didn't know ahead of time, but at the meet i could go down pretty close and take pictures of her. it was cool...so i took a thousand. i was trying to let everyone feel what it was like to swim 20 laps. i don't think my pictures show anything, but i loved taking them and watching her! it was an unforgettable day!


notice the sign at the end of the lane. hailey is in the far right. lap 13.


lap 17.


hailey is coming in for the big finish!



way to go! mother woo-hoo-ing loudly!



after that meet she left town, to go see megan dance in her cde performance in utah. she missed practice friday and monday, so we assumed she wouldn't be able to swim in the meet on tuesday the 9th. wrong! her coach talked to her at school that morning, and before i knew it she was calling me. luckily i had brought the wrong size tablecloths (again! it is my specialty) to zone conference and i was running to the store to buy some, so i noticed my phone ringing! "hello, i'm swimming today!" i left right after lunch to pick her up and go to the meet. this time they needed some timers. i am now an official timer! :) she swam a relay (her leg-back stroke), 100 IM (totally won) and 100 free in another relay (winners). she was wicked good! it had to be one of the coldest afternoons of the year! my legs were freezing...and haileys toes were white as we left. we had big smiles on our faces though!



the breast stroke!

next meet, tuesday the 16th (happy birthday camie!) i am looking forward to it!