MMR - Amanda's Blog

Currently, I am in the Chicago-Midway Airport. It was 10:20AM and my flight does not leave until 12:45AM. Quite a lay over if you ask me! To be perfectly honest, I cannot wait to get back to Bloomington. Even though I will probably have to go grocery shopping, do laundry, and cook dinner, the thought of my own room and space sounds amazing after being out of town for ten days.

I can say i have been out of town a lot this summer. I was done with school in the 1st of May, and I left immediately for the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for about four weeks. I only spent about two weeks in Bloomington before I left for trials. So now I am ready to settle and actually be able to live in my new townhouse! I do plan on coming home this week for the week, cause I have not been home in FOREVER, and I am in need to be home for a long time. The longest time I have been home was a Thursday to Sunday, so I am getting my full week.

The final session of trials ends tonight. I won't see it. It is the men's 1500 free and the women's 50 free. I really can't believe my first trials are over with. Hopefully I'll qualify for 2012 trials. It will be a year after I finish my collegiate career, so we will see how the future goes. I already have a goal to qualify in at least six events. The one thing with me with this sport, I never really am ever satisfied with what I accomplish. Yeah, you may reach your goal times you wrote down on the your goal sheet, but you must never been okay with what you have achieved. Yes, I didn't don't completely accomplish what I wanted, but for example with my 200 butterfly, I am going to go and shoot for a 2:12.00; go for the World University Team.

One of my goals for the meet was to meet the Trials qualifying standard. I was 50% on that. I was thinking about calling this the end of my season, but I'm not ready to stop. I am not really happy with ending the season on those times. I am going to the US Open in Minnesota in about four weeks. They had Big Tens and NCAA there last year, so I know it is a fast pool.

Trials was more than anything I ever imagined. It was truly like an event in the city of Omaha. I never imagined so many people and excited for swimming. I think it might actually go back to Omaha. They want it back, and what they showed this whole week, I would not be surprised if it returned there. Just watching that meet made me want to make it back to semifinals, or finals. Sometimes being a distance swimmers works against you, but I want to work to make it back to the top eight.

If you would of asked me when I was sixteen if I would have qualified for the Olympic Trials, I would of given you the weirdest look. At sixteen I was a sectional level swimmer. I do remember winning the 200 butterfly from lane seven at the Indiana University pool that summer. I rememeber my time was 2:19. My 200 freestyle around 2:05. My 400 freestyle was a 4:23. My 800 freestyle was a 9:12 (or so). My 200 IM was maybe 2:30. And look where I am now.

Really, anything can happen in this sport. I always dreamed of making it to the Olympic Trials. And I never stopped until I achieved it. I remember getting my first cut, last summer at Sectionals at Miami U in the 400 freestyle. I wasn't rested and I just decided since I swam my 800 free so well, I was just going to go for it. That feeling when I touched the wall and heard the announcer is something I will never forget. The feeling that I was going to Olympic Trials, where only about 1% of the swimmers in the U.S. get to go to. I feel blessed to able to have made it in four events. I hope that I will only improve and become more versatile and strong in a wide range of events.

I really hope none of the Rays thinks you can't do something. When you put your mind to it, you can do anything. I really am a great example. With extreme hard work and dedication, the sky is the limit. I got to college, and I didn't hide at the opportunity I had with all the hard workouts and weights and dryland, I took advantage of it; I had the season of my life. But yes, sometimes when you put that work in, it doesn't come right out. That's when you have the mental strength to get through it, and your love of the sport keeps you going.

I love swimming. And I always will. Sometimes I wish my alarm clock would break at night, or wish I was a speed skater somedays, but in the end it will always come back to my love for the pool. As much as I say that once I am done I will never go back to a pool again, I know that is a big lie! I hope that my swimming journey keeps going with one filled with great memories, and great people like all my Rays! :)

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I am in the lobby of the Baymont Inn right now. I am just about to leave to watch my last session of Olympic Trials. I leave tomorrow, so I will miss the last finals session. I will write more after tonight about it all.

My 800 freestyle was yesterday. Let's just say I did not end trials necessarily on a fantastic note. I ended up 34th, which I think was higher than my seed. But my time was six seconds slower than what I posted three weeks ago at the Omaha Swimvitational. It was extremely frustrating.

It was actually kind of funny in a way. The night before my 800 free, Brenden Hansen failed to qualify in the 200 breaststroke. He said he felt terrible from warm-up. And really that is exactly how I felt as well. I just could not shake out that really off feeling for the water.

Swimming is really a crazy sport. You can feel like you are on top of the world one day. Then like dirt the next. The one thing I keep learning, and never will cease to learn from this sport is that you have to be extremely mentally tough. Having that great mental attitude is what will keep you on top. And this is just something that I have to keep improving and make stronger.

Well today for me was the 200 butterfly. I was in heat four. Ray Looze, the head coach of Indiana Swimming, and me have this inside joke. To release some pressure, he calls me a scrub, newbie, rookie, etc. In my 200 IM when I was in heat 2, I was a scrub. And when I heard I was in heat 4 today, he raised my rank to a water bug! So, me, being the water bug I was just going to have fun.

I was once again in lane 8. I had to lead my heat out, again, so I was afraid to trip or do something stupid! But I really was not nervous for this race. I was just going to have fun. I was talking to my teammate Brittany Barwegan in the ready room, since she was swimming in heat 10. I swear the 200 butterfly is seriously the one event that I FEAR. I am so afraid that I going to die, go vertical, and basically not finish. You know, that feeling that you need the lifeguards to skim you out with the pole.. yeah that's what I was afraid of, especially in front of like ten thousand people.

So, I just told myself, swim, don't do anything but swim the 200 butterfly. And honestly, that is what I did! Me being a freak, I am a side breather in butterfly, so going down I didn't see the heat cause I was breathing to the crowd, and on the way back I could see my whole heat. So coming back on the 100 mark, I knew I was out in front, but not by much. When I made the turn, to start breathing the other way, I just told myself stay in control. To me, what felt like splashing from lane 7, which really was ME, made me afraid I was dying. But really I was just getting stronger and doing better. When I made my final turn, to breath toward the heat, I.. saw.. no one! I was like, oh man either we are all going slow, or I am about to drop some time.

I'll admit it, one of my goals at this meet, was.. to win my heat, so I could say "Hey, well, I won my heat at Olympic Trials" .. but you have to promise to not say that it was heat four! When I finished I heard the announcer say I won my heat, then I heard the time 2.13.8, I could not believe it. I looked at the board in SHOCK! I got some major jumbotron time :). And it was kind of cool, being at the meet for a few days now, when someone in a early heat posts a fast time, you get a pretty big applause, which I got! I'll admit it, it made me happy! And the great thing is, I know I can go faster. I know I can come home harder when I have people there pushing me. Amanda Smith.. 200 butterflyer? Doesn't sound right, but hey, any opportunity I'll take it! Maybe another shot at the World University games right there!!

I missed the Indiana University team record by .2, how close! But hey, I ALMOST made it back. I was in first for awhile. I ended up 26th, if I was a second faster, I would have made it back! And trust me, out of all my events, I would not expect to make it back in the 200 butterfly. That event has always been one that I randomly do extremely well. I guess it is my secret weapon now.

Tonight at finals, sadly, no world records. No fireworks, boo. But the highlight was Katie Hoff. With 45 minutes inbetween, she won both the 200 freestyle and 200 IM, in both American Records. She is just amazing!

I ran into some fellow Rays today. I saw Spencer's whole family today, which was nice, since I have not seen them in forever! It was really nice, they always make me laugh. They are such a nice family! I also saw the Hulbert's! I remember them telling me they were coming, but I was so excited to see them. I feel like I have fans :). Katie came down to where IU sits to find me, which was super cute. Since the Hewes' were leaving, the Hulbert's got their Pepsi box. They invited me up there to watch finals with the extra ticket. Now let me tell you, that is the only way to watch a swim meet. Big, comfy seats, birds-eye view, with food and drinks on hand, that is the way I will watch swimming any day! The pictures Mrs. Hulbert was taking were so cool! She is so talented, it makes me want to be a photographer (since I can't decide what to major or do with my life!!).

Hooray, I have tomorrow off. I just have two practices to complete for the day. I get to relax, which is so nice. NO WAKE UP SWIM. You have no idea how nice a 8:20AM wake-up call is compared to a 6:50AM one. Just have to reboot for my 800 freestyle on Friday. I am excited for it! I am just going to approach it like my butterfly today, just swim it!

Hey everyone!

Well today was just a day where I exceeded all of my expectations. I moved from about 80th in the 200 butterfly to 26th. WOWZA! I dropped over 2 seconds too! I cannot believe it. I ALMOST made a semifinal at Olympic Trials!

I will write more. I went out for the afternoon with my parents, and now I have to leave with my team to go back and do a workout before finals. I will give you a recap on today and finals!

Amanda

PS. I took like five pictures last night! :)

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Salutations Rays :)

So, I just completed my second race at THE Olympic Trials. It was the 200 individual medley. I was in heat two. No pressure for sure! I kept thinking to myself, I cannot believe I actually qualified to Olympic Trials in the 200 IM. I never ever thought I was an IM'er, but I dropped like six seconds last summer in that event and qualified. And from there on, I am now given that title of an "IM'er". So that goes to show you, you don't choose the event, the event chooses you! And really anything can happen in this sport, you can drop like twenty seconds and have a whole new talent in a different stroke.

This being my second race out of four, I was not as nervous as before. Even though I was just trying to have fun, because it was the 200 IM, the atmosphere at this meet just gives you that feeling your on a roller coaster ride.

Yes, at almost 20 years old with almost six years of swimming experience, I still get very nervous before I race, it may be hard to believe :).

I had confidence in my butterfly, so I took it out with easy speed. I have been reconstructing my backstroke, so that entire 50 I was thinking TEMPO! My back-breast turn was slow, I need to improve on turning with an "Omega board". My breaststroke was ok, it could of been better. But I knew my freestyle would be there to bring me home. Sometimes it does pay to be a distance swimmer!

My time 2:20.72 was just .3 off my best. But that is my best morning swim in the 200 IM by nearly three seconds. I am thrilled! I know if I had the chance to swim it again at night, I can go a 2:18. There are still tons of little things I can improve on my strokes. I used to just power the 200 IM, but as my technique gets better, I am seeing great time drops. When your coaches say "doing the little things in workout right, will translate into a race" is soooo true! I moved up a ton in places. I came in eighth to last, and came out in 80th out of more than a hundred.

I will swim the 200 butterfly tomorrow, and the 800 free on Friday. My butterfly feels great, so I'm excited and I think I can go a best time in the morning. And the 800 free is my baby. I am so excited to race distance free again!

I am watching finals tonight. I have teammates in the 100 backstroke. My good friend Presley is in the women's final. And Ben Hesen is in the men's final. Just a little fact, at the 2007 summer nationals, Ben was out at the 50m mark, UNDER world record pace. I can feel a great swim for him in my bones!

I need to take some pictures. I haven't yet, and I have been here since Thursday. I am terrible, I bring my camera, but then don't use it! I hope to see some world records tonight!

Keeping you posted,
Amanda

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Hey Everyone!

Well, one swim down, three more to go!

Even though I have not been in Ohio this summer, I am representing the Mason MantaRays full force!

The pool is amazing! I wish you all could experience it. The special effects rock. It is like a circus, not a swim meet. The city of Omaha is doing a wonderful job of putting together this meet. You would never think that Nebraska would hold a swim meet. But they are doing a fantastic job. The whole city is into this event. It is all about swimming in Omaha this week!

I have been here in Omaha since the 26th with Indiana University. I'm quite jealous of Margaret, Spencer, and Ken because they are all staying walking distance from the pool, while I am like a ten minute drive! But being with my college teammates makes it fun for sure. My roommate is Ashley Jones, she is swimming the 100 and 200 backstroke, so watch for her name! If you want some other names to watch, Presley Bard is swimming in the FINAL of the 100 backstroke tomorrow for the women, while Ben Hesen is in the men's 100 backstroke FINAL. Our team is doing really well, we have had tons of best times, so I am excited for my Hoosiers!

The MantaRays are kickin' bootay too! I did not swim on the first session, and I got to watch Spencer swim the 100 breaststroke. He looked great! I think he went a best time, from my memory, he timed trailed today, I hope he did well! Him racing made me really excited to race. Margaret looks amazing in the water too. I have just been watching, and she is going to go very fast in her 200 IM tomorrow.

I kicked off my Olympic Trials with my 400 freestyle. I think it is my favorite event, or you could say "my" event. I love the 500 yard free, so it just translates to the 400 meter free. I was in heat 8, lane 8. I was so nervous! You may think after being to like Senior Nationals, Juniors, Big Tens, and NCAA, that this would not make me nervous, but you are wrong. My IU teammates had to calm me down. I was shaking, and felt like I was going to cry I was so nervous!!! I felt really good in warm up, the best I had felt all week, so I was really ready to finally race. Since I was lane 8, I got to lead out my heat. I had been to this pool already, I attended the Grand Prix like three weeks ago, and did very well with a second place finish in the 800, so I understood how the meet worked, and I was confident in the pool.

I went a personal best, 4.14.8. I was happy, but not satisfied. I know I can go faster. But not many people can go to Olympic Trials and go their best time. I set the Indiana University team record, which was exciting! I tied for second in my heat. I was a little mad cause I led the whole way to get passed at the end, boo! I ended up finishing 20th, when I came in like 38th or something. That was a super positive moral booster right there. Even though I was down about my time, I was able to do well in my first swim, and in addition it be a morning swim. So when I go on to the U.S. Open in August, I know I can go even faster. Maybe make the World University Team in that event!

Some young kids asked me for my autograph today. I was kind of taken aback by it. I asked the kids if they really wanted MINE. I told them I wasn't Katie Hoff, just incase they got me confused! I felt kinda honored. I never really considered myself worthy of an autograph!!

I have the 200 IM tomorrow. Then the 200 butterfly on Wednesday, with a closing on Friday in the 800 freestyle. I am just going to have fun from here on out. Got the first race jitters out. And it is only a 200, not a 400 :) !! I'll be done before I know it. Never really considered myself an IM'er. Cross your fingers for a best time again!

Another post will be coming soon. Sorry for the long one, but I just had to!
Amanda Smith

See you tomorrow for some more fast swimming!