Swimming at the Cal Tech Pentathlon in Pasadena (video)

On Sunday, we drove down to Pasadena for my swim meet at the Cal Tech pool. This competition is an annual pentathlon for Southern Pacific Masters Swimming and a really fun format. Each person swims these 5 events:

• 50 Yard Butterfly
• 50 Yard Backstroke
• 50 Yard Breaststroke
• 50 Yard Freestyle
• 100 Individual Medley (which is one lap of each of the above strokes)

This was especially exciting for me because it was my first meet not swimming as an “unattached” participant. See, I train all by myself in the mornings at a local pool, so when I decided to start participating in meets again, I didn’t have a team to affiliate myself with. If this is the case, then you are labeled unattached, as you are not “attached” to any club.

Well, this all changed when my friend Rob (who runs the awesome RobAquatics.com blog), introduced me to Coach Ahelee Sue Osborn, who, along with Coach Nancy Kirkpatrick-Reno, run the fantastic Conejo Valley Multisport Masters (CVMM) team. After my last meet, Ahelee was kind enough to give me some technique tips and through a series of correspondence, she acquainted me with a satellite coaching program that they offer. Given that these are two of the most excellent coaches in the biz, how could I say no?

It was really great to have the support of such an enthusiastic team behind me. The other CVMM swimmers could not have been more kind or encouraging; and Coaches Nancy and Ahelee really helped me to pinpoint some things I can do differently in my training and races.

I had not swam the first three events yet in a meet, so all of my times were in essence “best times” at this point. I was pleased with them all and qualified for an additional US Masters Nationals event, this time in the 50 Butterfly, swimming a 31.35.

The last two events (50 Freestyle and 100 IM) were also both “best times” for me, as I lowered the 50 Free to a 28.25 and the 100 IM to a 1:11.28. In my age group (Women 35-39), I won two events and tied for first place in the 100 IM; which cumulatively put me at 2nd place overall for my age (behind the winner by just 8/10ths of 1 second).

Competing again is proving to be so rewarding. It’s funny how differently I approach the whole concept nowadays, as compared to my younger years when I grew up swimming. The pressure was quite intense back then and while I obviously enjoyed what I was pursuing, it was also very emotionally draining. By the time I stopped swimming during my college years, I was really anxious to have a life outside of the pool. But now, as I approach 40, I appreciate each ability and opportunity in such a different light. A new perspective that brings with it much more diverse (yet simple) goals than I have known before in my chlorinated state.

I totally want to thank Steve for being the most supportive, wonderful husband ever. He has been so amazing at each of my meets. He is always there for me: helping me with tasks, giving me encouragement, filming my races, keeping me warm, getting me snacks, and cheering me on. It really means a lot to me to have him in my corner, and I hope he knows how much I appreciate the sacrifices that he makes to allow me to chase this new little adventurous dream. He’s the best.

Here’s a video montage of all five races together if you want to sneak a peek at what I was up to in the Pasadena pool.