That was part of an email I got from Karlyn Pipes-Nielsen, one of my swim instructors here in Kona.
Me compete in a masters swim meet? HA, I've never even been to a swim meet, nor do have a USMS card. But I could certainly come by to watch!
And watch I did. Stop watch, that is. Coach Eric, Karlyn's husband and swim coach, handed me a green one and put me to work.
What fun!! A very low key meet, indeed. About 8 folks there competing, including Karlyn, pro triathlete Bree Wee and some local swimmers and triathletes. You could pick which events you wanted to do, start from the blocks, pool deck or in the water, and flip turns were not mandatory (but two-handed touches were required for butterfly and breast, as usual). Sometimes people were racing the same distance but doing different strokes. One guy even raced by himself a couple times.
The highlight for me was watching Karlyn and Bree go head to head on the 500 yd freestlyle.
Here they are ready to go. Bree looks to be saying a little prayer, haha.
And below is 14 seconds of their race coming up on 350 yards. Karlyn is getting close to catching Bree and would eventually do so, but only once. Great job, Bree!
There were three of us timing Karlyn. My watch time was in the middle so 5:04:13 was used as the official time, a new 45-50 year old women's masters record for her -- Congrats Karlyn!!!
Tomorrow I get a swim lesson from Coach Eric (Karlyn is on travel). Who knows, next year they just might have to find another timer ;-)
24 comments:
I read Bree's post - how cool that you got to watch and time them! Good luck on your swim lesson with Coach Eric!!
I have done several swim meets. Not that I'm that good, just that I've done them. And I can only do free or back. But they are fun, exciting to watch, and amazing to see how fast some of these athletes swim. Do a relay and then you won't have to compete against others as much. The relays really are the most fun. The pool reminds me of the outdoor one at the USAT training center in Clermont, FL.
I would be all over watching those girls fly through the water. How cool!!!!
Good that you went to the show!
Wow, how much fun, not to mention getting to watch such awesome talent!! Great way to spend a day!
Looks like a fun event to watch and attend! And how cool that you got to participate. I wish I was in Kona, too!! :-)
How cool and exciting to watch. Motivation plus for your swim with the Coach.
Very cool, glad you had so much FUN!!
Glad you are enjoying the last week in Kona. BTW, that's a great tricep shot.
What a great day! I'd love to do a grown up swim meet.
I only wish you had more coverage of Karlyn swimming. Your 14 secs vimeo could only get one length of her (she was really motoring though and her flip turn was just the kind that I am trying hard to do myself). Still, I guess you had to time the race and so to have any video at all is certainly something to be thankful for.
You should get a USMS card, and you should have a go at any chances to race like this. I hardly ever had the chance to race in a pool even in Kona, which I regret a lot. Maybe some day I will just fly to Hawaii for a race like this one.
You look fantastic! And in that vein, swimmers have VERY fit bodies! :) Wow -- what a great way to spend a day.
Those woman are fantastic! I love to watch great swimmers.
Sounds like a fun meet! And so cool that you not only got to watch, but you got to be the official time keeper!:)
Sounds like you had a great time!
You in competing masters? That would be awesome!
One thing I have learned about you is never doubt your ability. You can do anythig you put your mind to. And you do well!
Another delightful picture of You!!
Go Shirley!
Shirley, that is so unbelievably cool! How lucky you are to not only be in Hawaii but get a swim lesson too! Great video.
My goodness, that woman is fast! It's a pleasure to see swimming done right (of course we saw a lot of that last summer at the Olympics).
So cool! Glad you went and checked it out. Hey, I just started practicing that technique you got from Karlyn! Check out my recent post on it.
What a fun day! You should definitely create a job opening for someone next go 'round! Ha ha.
Well, once you get enough training with pros, you can come to Tennessee and I'll let you be my timer... how's that? ;-)
ha ha, so good to see you around Kona lately. That video is hilarious, It looked like I was winning... ha ha ha, next year YOU are in the pool :)
Hope you are happy and well!
Love the post and good for your for timing everyone. By the way - your arms just look fabulous. Just saying..
SO late to the party but I wanted to weigh in on the bikini question. As you might expect from a European - go for it! One of the first things I did after losing weight years ago was buying a bikini again. Not to be noticed - at all though I think Terry is right but I just ignore that - but because they are much more comfortable for lounging around pools - you have far less wet fabric sticking to you. Hey - Im European - when there is no-one about (and bear in mind we have a private pool) I swim naked so a bikini is clothes to me. The deeper point here though - when do you decide that what matters is your comfort and happiness and let others sort themselves out? For what it is worth - you are a spectacular, strong, beautiful woman who will happen to look great in a bikini..
Looks like fun! I miss outdoor pools in Hawaii :)
I went to Bree's blog and saw a picture of spam musubi! You guys are killing me!!
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