A Day in the Life: Kelly Reitz, Day 4

I attained nearly all of the goals that I had set for myself. The only goal I fell short from reaching was to make it into a position to swim at night. With so many positive aspects of my race, however, I couldn't be upset about not making it back. I did finish in the highest position I ever have (mid- 30s). Well, the first time I swam at the Open I was dead last, so I've come a long way!

Here is my warm-up from today:
1,500 free swim
5 x 100 free swim build
300 kick/drill breaststroke
2 x 25 fast off the blocks breaststroke
200 easy
Before race:
300 swim
4 x 25 build

We got to the pool by 9:30 a.m., and watched some of the A flight events and I warmed up for my event in the B flight. One of my teammates, Katie swam the 50 freestyle in the A flight and we all cheered for her. After watching Katie's race, two of my other teammates and I ran to get lunch at a local deli. Sitting around the hot pool deck had become a little draining, so the sandwich really perked me up.

Once we returned to the pool, I felt like time sped up and suddenly I was on the blocks for the 100 breaststroke. The race went by in a flash, but the results put me in a great mood! I did a long warm down and incorporated a lot of kick. I hoped to return feeling back in my legs. But, the day at the pool wasn't over for me because several of my teammates were participating in time trails in the afternoon. They had some good swims and I had fun relaxing and joking around with them. The coaches were also going a little crazy from all of the quality time our team got to spend on the pool deck. We were all in stitches because of their antics. But, don't worry when it's time to compete the coaches put on their game faces.

Once we had all finished swimming for the morning it was 4 p.m. We were on the pool deck from 9-4! Luckily, we took a breather back in the hotel for 45 minutes. This was a great break for me, and I could decompress a little. I also got a chance to talk to my family and friends and tell them about my race. They were all so supportive and excited for me!

Around 5 p.m., we went back in the mini-tank and went to a pizza joint near the Aquatic Center at Purdue. It was a little hole in the wall, but they made a mean pizza! I shared a medium sized pie with the "works" with my co-captain, Marnie. Our whole group was at dinner and we had a good time sharing jokes and stories. Then we went back to the pool to watch finals and it was exciting!