A Day in the Life: Laura Smith, Day 6

DENVILLE, New Jersey, February 25. NEW Jersey Masters swimmer Laura Smith addresses the final day heading into her first Masters meet in seven years in her latest entry in the "A Day in the Life" series on SwimmingWorldMagazine.com.

Saturday, February 24, 2007, Day 6
Ah, a day of rest. I slept until 7:15 a.m. this morning, lounged around with two cups of coffee and read the paper. I take my Saturday and Sunday workouts very seriously, as I have 90 to 120 minutes for a workout rather than 60 that I have during the week. But, as I wake to an alarm on each Saturday and Sunday to get into the pool at 7 a.m., I long for a "normal" weekend. It's just so nice not to wake to an alarm on a weekend.

I spent the day with my daughter today. I took her to her Saturday bowling day, which is a kids fun league sponsored by our town recreation department. She's on a team with three other girlfriends, and although they don't take their bowling seriously, they have a great time. We then went to a classmate's birthday party for the rest of the afternoon. We came home and had some pizza for dinner, and everyone will be headed to an early bedtime.

I'd like to report that I feel great. But I don't. No matter how much Advil/Aleve I take, or how much icing I've done, the pain has been with me for over a week without subsiding. My left hand is now swollen enough that I can't take my wedding ring off. I am scheduled to swim the 200 and 500 free, 100 breast, 100 back, and two relays (200 free and 200 medley relays). I know right now that something will have to give in that schedule.

I was planning on writing my best guesses for my times in these events in today's posting, but I think I am going to skip the estimation. I just want to have some fun, enjoy and cheer on my teammates, enjoy wearing a nice new Speedo and a new cap and team shirt, and go out for a meal afterwards. Who knows – I could pleasantly surprise myself. But at some point during my long afternoon with many seven-year old girls, I came to the realization that I have done a lot since September 06 (when I got back in for organized, consistent training after six years off), and the fact that I trained to this point is good enough.

Up to two weeks ago, I was on track for some good things at this meet. Not like Top 10 times good things, but some solid, consistent times. Things happen. Things happen to the greatest of the great before swim meets. I am not the first injured swimmer to limp into a meet, nor will I be the last. Rather than beat myself up tomorrow, I am going to remember that one year ago at this time I was considerably more stressed out, sick more often, and 10 pounds heavier. Such is the beauty of USMS swimming – I am swimming for me and me only. I don't have to score points, I don't have a conference title depending on me, or I don't have to perform for my scholarship. I am hurting, but I am having fun. And that's what it's all about at this point.

Keep swimming,
Laura

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