Easter Meet 2015

Alex Pinniger and I

I always really enjoy and swim well at Easter meet, probably because its a home meet and a large part of the enjoyment is probably the Easter eggs up for grabs, which is always a great motivator.
My first race was 200m Backstroke, even though I never train backstroke, I always really love racing in this event. I was just hoping for a decent time, because I know that I had done little work on it due to focusing on freestyle for my triathlons. But when I came away with a 2 min 23 seconds and a 2nd, I was really chuffed. I was just off my PB but I exceeded my expectations in this event.
I then got the chance to go home for a while and relax before the 800m freestyle which wasn't until late afternoon, so just to fill the time I managed to fit in 2 of the hunger games films, so really good relaxing happened.
I then got back and did warm up, and my race was first after so I had to get ready pretty quickly. I was quite excited about racing this because this is my favorite race to participate in and I was feeling pretty strong.
When we first set off, the girl next to me went out really quickly and I needed to stick with her to stay in a good position, but after 200m she dropped off a lot and then there was just 2 of us at the front. I felt really in control of the race and I had been working especially hard on my turns as this is something that had let me down previously (triathlons are open water so no need to worry about them too much). After 500m I found myself a little bit in the lead, having 1 or 2 seconds over the other girls. I felt strong still and continued to pick the pace up. By the last 100m I had about 5 seconds over the rest of the field and I managed to hold this into the finish. My time was good, but just off my PB, so I was pretty happy about the swim, although I couldn't help but be slightly disappointed with the time as my coach, Alex, said I was on for a PB up until the last 100m.

Andy Gibb and I,

The next day I just had my 400m freestyle in the morning. I didn't do warm up because my race was the last heat of the last event in that session and it was more beneficial to get an extra hour in bed. I was looking forward to this as it had been a while since I had done a 400m and my 800m split looked really promising for a PB in this. I went out quick, but I was still in roughly 2nd or 3rd on the hips of the girl next to me. I managed to keep with her and now I had confirmed a 2nd place. I was still on her hips going into the last 100m and this is where I really tried to put everything into in. I made up a little ground on the first 50m but then on the last 50m I really gave it my all and was so close to getting her, but unfortunately  she just touched me out, but I still got a 2 second PB so I was really happy, and  silver medal to go with it.
After this race I met up with my Bank of New York Mellon and SportsAid buddy, Andy Gibb, for the first time. It was great to have a chat and lovely to meet him and talk about the things we might be doing this year.
The last day of racing was Sunday, I had 2 more races, 200m freestyle and 400m IM.
The 200m wasn't great, I can never seem to get into a 200m, and by the time I do its the finish. But I still did a decent time and managed to get 4th place here.
Then I got to go home for a little bit again, where I had lunch and relaxed by playing Mario Kart on the Wii with my brother (which if you have siblings will know isn't an overly relaxing situation).
I headed back to the pool and again didn't do warm up because my race was at the very end. I was excited for this race, I really enjoy IM because it's really different, even though I can't do breaststroke to save my life.
On the fly, a girl to my right went out quickly and I stayed just with her. On the second length of fly I managed to just pull past her and gain the lead. I knew I had to work really hard on the fly and Backstroke if I wanted to be in contention for a medal due to my appalling breaststroke. I had a decent lead after the back, which was quickly taken away on the breaststroke, but I still managed to turn in 4th place, just behind 3rd. I knew I had a strong freestyle so I really dug in hard here and managed to pass and pull away from the girl who was in 3rd. I managed to hold on to 3rd until the finish and I even got a 2 second PB. I was really pleased with this and happy that I could come away with another medal.
Overall I had a really enjoyable and successful weekend.

I am now looking forward to going on camp this week with the England Talent squad in Welbeck College, Loughborough.