Pacific Masters Swimming - 11th, 12th August 2012

The 2012 Pacific Masters Long Course Championships were held at College of San Mateo instead of UC Santa Cruz as in previous years. The new venue is closer to San Francisco (about 30 minutes drive versus 90 minutes), bigger (with a dedicated 25 meter warm-up pool), had timing pads at both ends, and includes expansive grassy grounds to relax in.
(Video links below are available in up to 480p).

• 200 LC Meter Freestyle 2:21.54 (PR) (splits: 29.65, 34.20, 38.37, 39.32) - video
  As my splits and the video suggest, I raced the first half faster than I should have, but I was pleasantly surprised by the final result. Watch Lane 4 ("Druz, Loren", age 56) and Lane 7 ("Kenny, Daniel", age 55, red hat) for their counterattacks!
  Prior PR: 2:24.38, in 2011
• 400 LC Meter Freestyle Relay - video
  Confusion reigned when two of our four swimmers arrived late (after the start), and one of them had our timing card. This also seems to have distracted the timekeepers, or swimmers repeatedly bumped the timing pads as they exited, as our splits were screwed.
• 50 LC Meter Freestyle 27.11 - video
  Slower than I would have liked; I may have let myself be distracted by the swimmers on my left, and glided too far at the finish.
  PR: 26.58, in 2010
• 200 LC Meter Medley Relay
  Scratched. Some teammates didn't show up. 
• Mixed 200 LC Meter Freestyle Relay 26:54 - video
  I swam in place of "Chiang, Chris". After my previous attempt at 50 meters, I hit the wall with a bit too much enthusiasm.
• 100 LC Meter Freestyle 1:00.96 (PR) (splits: 28.17, 32.79) - video
  My goggles came off as soon as I dove in. This meant I slowed quite a bit while searching for the wall at the turn.
  Prior PR: 1:00.98, in 2011
• Mixed 400 LC Meter Mixed Medley Relay 1:18.70 (splits: 33.33, 45.37) - video
  I switched with "Letson, Mary" to swim butterfly instead of freestyle. This was my first 100 meter long course butterfly ever, and my first butterfly race in about 16 years. As you may see in the last 15 meters, I need more practice. :-)

Overall, it was a worthwhile and fun weekend. I raced two personal records, and made some mistakes to learn from. :-) It's also inspiring to compete in an event with men and women aged 18 through 96, and witness them break local, USA-national, and world records.

Official Results. Official splits. Official Points. Real-time (unofficial) results.

Thoughts for next time:

• Reapply sunscreen on neck, shoulders, and face, after every swim.
• Practice dives; keep my head down.
• Try 50m butterfly.