Archive for March, 2009
Mar 2009
100 Free Prelim
100 Free...42.01, out in 20.2. I had a strong finish and was happy with the result. I only took two breaths the last 25 and in hindsight I should have taken one more so I would have had more power the last 10 meters. Tonight is going to be awesome. I'm seeded second. I can't wait to have a good race. There is nothing better than a 100 meter freestyle!
200 Free Finals and Mental Poise
This-afternoon was a restless afternoon. I was really satisfied and happy about my morning swim of the 200 free. I ate lunch and took a nap...rather I tried to take a nap. I fell asleep for about thirty minutes and then tossed and turned for about another thirty. The sports psychologist I often talk to who works for the US Olympic Committee told me it is better to get up and do something else that's productive rather than staying in bed while you toss and turn your time away. So I got up, made myself a PB&J sandwich, a protein shake and a banana. I turned the tv on and stretched for a good 45 minutes. I felt good going into finals and was interested to see what I could go. Warm-up felt even better than this morning. My stroke felt long and powerful my speed felt like it was more readily available than this morning as well. Let me clarify something...when I talk about feeling powerful and having speed I speak in relative terms. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being the worst ever, 10 being how I felt at the 2008 Olympic Trials. Three weeks ago when I was in Missouri I was about a 3. During my warm-up tonight I felt like a 6 or 6.5. The reason I sound so excited is because this is the first time in a long time I feel like my body is showing signs of life. I distinctly remember finishing one of my build 50's tonight and coming into the wall and literally made a growling yell. I was ready to go. I knew I was feeling good and after having a great morning swim I was excited to get the chance at going a best time. The race came and I was suddenly in the water swimming the first 50. I felt really smooth going out. My body felt as though it was a little bit plowing through the water more than I would like it to but that is partly this point of the season. As I rest more all the little intricacies of my stroke seem to press out to perfection like a well starched shirt! I flipped at the 100 at 52. Peter Vanderkaay was a few tenths ahead of me. I could already start to feel some tightness going into the 100 wall. I tried to maintain my long stroke and was working at building the third 50 while increasing my legs. As I approached the third turn my body was starting to hurt. I came off the wall and could tell I was still ahead of the guy next to me. As I headed for home each stroke I took I could feel my arms getting heavier and heavier. My kick was blasting and my quads felt like they were about to explode. There is actually a part of me that likes this...a part of me that enjoys this because I know it's these times, it's these parts of races when I will beat most or all of my competitors. I mentally prepare myself to be ready for the pain so that when it happens my mind is in such a calm state of serenity that there isn't an ounce of my energy or focus that is wasted. Everyone can do this, everyone can get to this point, it's just a matter of practice and mentally staying focused. I ended up getting second and going 1:49.63. This was a pretty good swim. My third best time ever...my best is 1:49.08. I was looking for something better...likely story. I was out at a good pace at the 100 but I died coming home. This is to be expected for the place I am in the season...I don't have to like it though. Tomorrow is going to be great. The 100 free. Without a doubt this is my favorite race of all time. I'll update ya'll after the prelims tomorrow morning!
Ohhhh Yeah Baby
This morning was awesome! I swam the 200 free. I woke up at 9:20am. This was a bit late because I forgot to set an alarm. I briefly ate breakfast and went to the pool. Although I woke up an hour later than I planned it is crucial to stay calm and not worry about it. There was nothing I could do so the best thing to do was simply relax and go with the flow. As I dove in for warm-up I felt pretty good. My hands felt like they were gripping more water than they were yesterday. Sometimes it is easier to warm-up and swim faster as the meet goes on because my body just becomes more in-synch with what I'm doing. It's almost like my body knows what's about to happen and is already preparing itself even before I dive into the pool. My muscles felt more powerful and elongated today than they did yesterday. I was confident this prelim of the 200 free was going to be good. I talked to Eddie before the race and he told me to go win my heat. I told him I was going to pick up my effort level on every 50. He looked at me and smiled...he knew I was full of @#%&. I was planning on doing it but he and I both know I have no idea what I'm doing in the 200. I looked at him and laughed and walked away. I was in the final heat of the preliminaries and would be racing, among others, Peter Vanderkaay who is one of the best 200 freestylers in the world. The race began. I was cutting through the water with ease the first 50. I turned first at 21.2. At the 75 I could see my teammate Peter Jameson was edging ahead of me. However, I remained calm and kept my focus. At the 125 I pushed off the wall and Peter was even further ahead of me. I was still going strong and felt really powerful. My speed usually gets me out ahead of most people so to be behind at this point I was kind of thinking...uh oh. No matter, I kept pressing and flipped the switch to my legs. As they started churning I could feel my body smoothly switch into that next gear. Oooohhhh Yeah Baby. I love that feeling of power and speed. I pushed off the final turn and my legs were going crazy. I finished and looked abruptly at the scoreboard. I went 1:33.53. I dropped two seconds off my best time!!!!! Yaaayyyyyy...Truthfully I had no idea I was going that fast...Sweeetness I'm seeded first for tonight and am really looking forward to having another good swim. Morning's like these really make me believe, 'The Sky is the Limit'
Givin’ Some Love
Tonight I had a pretty successful race in the 50 meter freestyle. I had a relaxing afternoon which included a good thirty minute stretch, a great lunch, I put my legs up for about fifteen minutes, and took a nap. When I woke up from my nap a new Speedo LZR suit had arrived at my doorstep. Before the race tonight Matt Lowe and I were putting our suits on in the locker-room and he told me I had to give this new suit some love so it would take care of me....
Video Update
Here is a video update from this morning at the Austin Grand Prix. I went 19.3 in the 50 yard freestyle and was pretty happy with the performance. I'm really looking to go fast tonight in the 50 meter freestyle! Check the video out http://snipr.com/d65r0
Gold Medal Minute
Check this video out...It is a short, funny and informative bit about me and my life. I hope you like it! http://swimnetwork.com/videos/v/20090303/gmm_interviews_garrett_weber_gale-16232.html It was created by Mel Stewart. You can also check out his swimming blog. www.goldmedalmel.com
CAUTION!!! Don’t eat like this every day. Or even every week!
Texas Barbecue...So tasty and so satisfying. People always ask me what my favorite spot is. Truthfully that's like asking someone what is their favorite vacation. In my mind there's really no way to completely put my finger on either of them. Barbecue has so many qualities (or possible qualities) that definitively telling someone which is my favorite would be impossible.
Let's lay a little groundwork...Everyone sees barbecue and how it should be prepared and served differently. Many purists will tell you it should only be served on butcher paper with nothing else but some bread and/or crackers. Sauce you ask??? Purists would also tell you there should be none. The true test of good barbecue should be in the flavor of the meat and the meat alone. Others believe the sauce is the boss, sides are necessary and plates are welcome at the table. The beauty of Austin is that you can get basically anything and everything.
I could take you to a place where smoke literally billows out of the front door as if the building were burning down, where they have no menu, where the meat is served on butcher paper and the only side you can get is a bag of Doritos and a whole Avocado. So you say you want plastic? You say you want utensils...come on, let's get real...utensils? If that's the case I will get you a plate, I will get you a knife I will even get you the use of an ATM machine or the possibility of paying with credit...just make sure you're good for that bill, we don't need any more credit problems.
In addition to the varying preparation and serving manner the reason I may go to one place over the other is because each place generally has things they're better at than others. For instance, Rudy's has incredible brisket, Smitty's has mouth-watering ribs that cook so slowly and beautifully that the outside becomes naturally caramelized, Pok-e-Jo's has tender and spicy sausage, Kreuz has a pork chop that will put you on...well let's just say...your pork chop, and the Salt Lick has the Sunday special of baby back ribs that, and I quote, my friend said last weekend, "are these really legal...I mean come on...ridiculous!"
Yesterday my Dad I I journeyed to Lockhart, Texas. It is a town thirty minutes away from Austin and is known for its famous barbecue establishments. We went to a place called Kreuz...great barbecue, not so great sides, lung cancer waiting to happen (really smokey inside), too salty, a great time, totally worth it.
For me, barbecue isn't just about the food. It is about the all encompassing experience. It is about the company you're with, the yearning hunger inside that you've built up all day so that you can eat tons of meat, the varying styles and analyzing every little aspect from the smokiness of the meat to the acidity of the barbecue sauce. No barbecue will ever be the best. They are all simply unique and fulfilling experiences that make me feel lucky to live in such a crunchy place...Austin!
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