Friday, March 27, 2009

Taking a shot at the 500

Well, since the 200 free didn't go as well as hoped, time to move on to the next thing, the 500 free. Not sure why I feel the need to swim this, maybe just for achievement's sake, as well as a having a fuller integration of TI technique into a distance event, enjoying efficiency, endurance and speed. While both of these objectives are true, I mostly hope to be able to identify if the 500 is a good fit for me & Team USA at the 2009 World Transplant Games in Australia this August. There is a 400m event, that may be a good opportunity to be competitive in my age group, 40-49. And, it fits nicely into the 2 day swim schedule.

Anxious, yes, but so tired that it's all good either way. I've been reminded this week of how grateful I am to simply be able to well enough to race in swim meets. 2006 was the first year of competitive swimming in 18 yrs, since my diagnosis of congestive heart failure. I don't want to forget that in the big picture, swimming a personal best is exciting, but certainly not the answer to fulfulling my purpose in the grand scheme of life. God has allowed me to experience new life in the water w/ my new heart, and I plan to swim as long as it is pumping!

Don't forget to be an organ and tissue donor. Thanks for reading.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Meet results

I had a great time swimming at the Frank Clark Masters meet in Greensboro this past Saturday. I swam four individual events, and went 2 for 4. Meaning, I am pleased w/ my 50 backstroke and 50 breastroke swims, not so much the 100 back and 200 free. The 100 back would have been a decent race, since the seeded times in my heat were close to be competitive. Unfortunately, my feet slipped on the wall, resulting in no push off whatsoever from my start!!! Yes, that is about 5 seconds down the toilet. Nice.

The 200 free was a disaster. While my hope was to engage my TI technique into better endurance for this mid-distance event, this was dashed to bits on the rocks below at the 100 yd mark. Though I was thinking wide tracks, arm recovery & relaxed hands, my body was saying, "I don't think it matters, Brian." Muscles were burning something awful and I was totally gassed out, which was a surprise. In hindsight, my heart rate was either not up high enough at the outset, or the issue of deinnervation was too much an obstacle.

Deinnervation means that my transplanted heart cannot be told by my brain to speed up prior to the body's need for more oxygen, such as when beginning up a flight of stairs. This is due to the nerves being severed when my original heart was removed, and their not re-attaching with the new one. Only when the muscles demand more O2, while adrenaline is pumping, does my new heart catch up. It is a strange dynamic to work through, and timing is critical. Not an excuse, just the reality.

So, my fantasy of becoming a 200 freestyler may not be realized in this life, and that is ok. At least, I know what event not to register for at the World Games :-) I am still considering the 400 free and 200 IM, in addition to the 50 and 100 backstroke events, my best chances for a medal.

Had a great time, met some cool people, including the Executive Director of United States Masters Swimming. Back to the drawing board at Masters this Saturday.

Welcome to heart2swim

Thank you for visiting my blog! You will find the latest on the development of TI in the Triangle area, as well as well as my own personal jouney from a heart transplant to competitive swimming. TI Swimming is more than simply a business, it is my passion! I hope you enjoy the posts and pics, and freely add your comments.

I currently coordinate the Adult Swim programming at Rex Wellness Center in Wakefield, and private and group lessons are available to members and non-members. Easy Freestyle Workshops are co-sponsored by the FS series,
www.fsseries.com, and are offered in Raleigh and Charlotte. You can reach me at bbarndt@gmail.com or 919-757-1230.