First off I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
The meet in Moncton didn't go as planned but it was still a great meet. My swim coach and I both thought my 800 was going to be on Saturday morning when it turned out to be on Friday night. I missed it and it was pretty disappointing considering the 800 was my key race going into the meet. I overcame the obstacle and went into the 400 feeling fresh on Saturday Night. Brian said to stay controlled but don't hold back too much. I went a 4:29.13 which was a best time, and I did it controlled! I left the pool on a high, went out for supper then had an early night at the hotel room to rest for finals in the morning.
I felt like a million bucks warming up on Sunday morning, I felt ready to go. I got out of the water and talked to Brian. The plan was to use my legs a lot more than normal. To finally use the cycling power in my swim. I was super pumped right before the 400. Listening to 'Till I Collapse like always just before I dove into the water feeling smooth and fast. I actually saw my 200 split 2:10. I thought this is fast and I was still feeling relaxed. I finished in a 4:24.47 an 8 second PB and was very pleased.
The 1500 was another story though. I could see my splits again at 400 I was 4:35, 9:20 at 800.I had almost split out a best time in my 800 and was still feeling good. Then the 1000 mark came. I died, I didn't completely die because my parents didn't even notice that I slowed down but I felt it. I was too hot and too tired. Why the hell did I wear a cap? Stupid idea. Hair or not 1500 is too far to go with a cap on. Although I was disappointed I still finished in 17:40 and went a 3 second PB.
After the meet as I was driving home (I have my license now! I feel so grown up.) my dad emailed Barrie my times. One word "Wicked." Barrie doesn't really give compliments unless they are deserved so I became extremely happy about my meet even if it didn't go as I had intended.
Christmas went okay but I had an extremely bad cold that made it impossible to train. I don't like resting but rest was exactly what I needed at the time. I recharged for a couple of days and then started doing a little bit at a time. Now I am back full tilt and feeling better than I was before I got sick, I must've really needed the rest!
New years is a time to set goals. I recommend that you write down your 2013 goals as Barrie told me to do. It allows you to become aware of how much you really have to commit to the sport or life, whatever your goals may be. My goals are personal to me, some people might say they are too ambitious but they are mine and I will always set difficult goals, they motivate me. One of my goals is to graduate from Saint John High another is to join C3 and both of them are easily achievable but some of my other goals are going to be significantly more difficult. If I don't achieve them, I will sit down and figure out how I can meet the goals in the future because I have many years to go as an athlete and a human being. As Michelangelo said "The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it," so ladies and gentlemen set your goals high. Even if your goals are farfetched or long shot goals, they give you something to strive for, something to pursue. Good luck to all of you in your 2013 endeavors!
