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.
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