Mission Viejo Pro Swim Series Swimmers Share Preparation For Flipped Schedule

Photo Courtesy: Becca Wyant

The 2021 TYR Pro Swim Series stop in Mission Viejo is not only an important meet because of the return to racing for many swimmers, but also a chance to feel the reverse schedule for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

The meet is prelims in the evening with finals the morning after, something that will mirror the Olympic Games.

It is something many had to prepare for coming into the Pro Swim Series, both in the long run for the meet plan, but also day to day, with having to deal with sleep patterns and eating patterns heading into a morning final.

“I think that it is fun what we are doing,” Melanie Margalis said. “I made sure to wake up four hours before my swim. I felt like that would give me enough time to get myself moving. I got up and got in the shower and put on some music to get myself moving and I danced around in the shower to get myself ready to go. That was the biggest thing that I did.”

Margalis won the 400 IM, while Nic Fink won the 100 breaststroke at the Pro Swim Series stop.

“It was interesting having some breakfast and getting ready for finals. It was a little different, but I don’t think it has thrown anyone off too much,” Fink said.

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Kelsi Dahlia won the 100 butterfly. She said her everyday training helped prepare for the schedule flip.

“We train a lot in practice racing early in the morning, so I feel like my body is ready to go. I was awake and getting my body moving long enough before the session. I had a little stronger coffee this morning than I would have had if it was prelims,” Dahlia said.

Allison Schmitt finished second in the 200 free. She dealt with a schedule flip for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, but that was quite a while ago. She was happy to get that opportunity again at the Pro Swim Series.

“It is definitely a great experience being at this meet and having finals in the morning. I was able to learn what I need to do differently to prepare for the rest of this meet and prepare for Tokyo. I am glad that Mission Viejo has put on this meet and flipped it around so we have finals in the morning,” Schmitt said. “Going back to 2008, that was 13 years ago, so I have had the experience, but 13 years ago, I was a completely different swimmer in a completely different spot. It is nice to have that experience and know we can have success whether prelims are in the morning or finals are in the morning. Using what I learned today to finish this meet off and get ready for Tokyo.”

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