go they did

The girls were in really good for this weekend and even though the meet was postponed on Saturday it didn't faze them one bit. Yesterday we were up at 5am and heading right back to carry on again and they did it without missing a beat. They knew it would be a long day with a lot of events for each of them, Lily knew she had the 500m to contend with but they were on fire.

Rosie asked me to video her swimming the I.M. so I did and was so glad that I did as she came in first. She swims with mainly 9-10 yr olds in competition and even though she is pretty fierce in the water when it comes to placing for medals she rarely does. Thankfully she understands why. As is often the case for her she won her heat but this time she actually went on and placed for the event. She was so happy. She managed to get herself a "B" time and whacked 18.46 seconds off of her previous time. Look at my tiny girl go. I cannot believe her daddy never watches her.


 Lily's next event was the 100 I.M. so it seemed only sensible to video her also, so I did. She also won her heat, placed 8th overall out of 40 swimmers and shaved 10.18 seconds off. C-R-A-Z-Y. I am so proud of them. They work SO hard for these goals. Rosie really tore things up yesterday she even pulled off 5 events which is unheard of in her age group but due to the met being rained out on Saturday she had events to make up. Her very last event was the 50 breast and even though that is one of her strongest strokes and the one that has her ranked nationally I wasn't too sure if she had any reserves left. I made sure she drank and stayed hydrated but food and Rosie, especially if she is nervous, are not a great combo. I went so far as to take them to the concession stand and she chose a bag of popcorn Lily ordered this massive, bacon, cheese, and egg bagel, the thing was bigger than her head. Most swimmers would sink with that on board but not my girl it was exactly what she heeded to fuel her for her 500 free. A "snack" and a drink and back in the water. It was pretty fast paced yesterday.

 These photos make me giggle

On your marks

Get set, (and she pulls higher out of the water)

Go.......

THe girls had a lot of the same events yesterday so here are the same shots for Lily.

On your marks

get set, and she raises up also.

Go.
 Lily infomred me that that was a terrible start and that she lost a tonne of time by coming up out of the water that much.

My flyer---->

I just love the splash in this shot. She literally cuts through the water

This is how the Pickle looks when she hasn't spotted me across the pool.

And a split second later, when she has.  Funny girl.

Some of the team.. Lily was waiting at the blocks for an event.

exiting the cool down pool.

Why yes I did just kick some arse, why do you ask?

The small but mighty breast stroker. She placed in that event also

Cool down laps 

Back stroke. Not a favourite but yet yesterday she owned it.

in the zone.

Rosies last event was breast. She was up against all 9 and 10 yr olds. It doesn't faze her, it is how it is right now. In her words, she swam it like a boss. She placed 9th overall. She won her heat by 15 yrds. Maniac. Lily had a long race up last.. 500 free. She swam it effortlessly and flawlessly. she came in first by a freaking mile in her heat and placed 3rd overall out of 36 swimmers. She has only swam it once before in competition and she shaved 44.06 seconds off of that time. I think she should concentrate on distances she has a knack for it. On the drive home at 4pm I received a text from a teacher asking for a homework assignment. Arghh. We always make sure our homework is done on a Friday night. Having to compete in a meet and then do homework, is pure EVIL.

no words

I didn't mention anything about this because it seemed rather braggy and as much as I love my girls and am extremely proud of them, I try not to brag when they do something outstanding. On the occasion that I do I usually swirl in a good amount of sarcasm to water down the syrupy sugary stuff.

Both of the girls are members of USA Swimming. Our swim team, like most, is affiliated with it. We belong to Flying Fish, who in turn is under Florida Gold Coast Swimming who in turn answer directly to USA Swimming. We have to answer directly to USA Swimming also but that is the chain of command.

Just as it sounds, USA is the governing body for all the rules, times, laws etc etc. (and boy do I know that for a fact, I'm trying to learn them all).

At the meet last Sunday morning I was informed that Rosie has managed to get ranked 7th in the State of Florida for the 100m freestyle in her age group. That people is pretty darned impressive. Florida is a big State and we have a tonne of swim teams due to our weather. The Little Pickle was completely oblivious to what this meant, thanked Coach Pedro and went on to swim like a champ again that day. I was tickled pink for her.

This morning I was at practice with the girls and Big Boss Man Coach called me over. He had something to tell me: Rosie is ranked 14 in the USA in the 50 m breaststroke, in her age group. I looked at him and asked if he said, USA, cos I wasn't sure if he meant to say that. He said, Listen to me carefully. He repeated himself.

Holy swimsuits Batman!!!

I think I said something very official sounding, probably, Wow. He then asked me if I knew what it meant. I told him, It must mean she is quite good. He said to be ranked that high at this age in a country this big is huge. She is that good. He then went on a bit about this and that and how BOTH of my girls have a chance of making their dreams happen in this sport. He knows what their dreams are. Rosie has an excellent shot.

I'm shocked. She went from wind up bath toy to, 14 in the freaking country overnight.
I'm really glad she doesn't "get it" it will keep the pressure off of her and the fun in it.

I'd better get used to the smell of chlorine, it's not going anywhere for a while.