ICE.COLD.COFFEE

Didn't go to school today. It's the first day of nationals.

In the morning Shu Qi has 200m individual medley. She was somewhat sick. And didn't perform as well as expectations. Oh well, she still has 3 more nationals to go. I'm sure she'll be able to get into the finals then.

We went for lunch at the foodcourt. I met Seet Teng there. She was taking part in the same event as me, just that it was B division.

After lunch, we went back quite early because Ngang Ju had to warm up for her 50m backstroke event. We had almost 1 hour before warming up. I was quite bored, and was getting nervous since I had nothing to do. So, I messaged quite a lot of people about my competition, just to chat and get my mind occupied.

I guess it was also a kind of promise to them that I would do my best. And they were all so nice to reply and give me well wishes. :)

Also, I felt it hard to tell the juniors that I was nervous and all. Because, being the senior, I was supposed to encourage them, not make them freak out more. They said I didn't look like I was stressed. That's because I didn't show it. I was unusually quiet most of the time.

For Ngang Ju's backstroke event, she didn't do her personal best. I think she was quite disappointed.

Cheryl and I were taking part in the same event. She's in heat 1, I'm in the second. Both of us are in lane 7 too.

The C and B division was super good! Especially the C division girls. It's like as we get older, we become slower? Haha... Makes no sense.

We were asked to report super early and had to wait for quite a while before it was our turn. The TJ girl in lane 6 beside me was very nice! I got to know her during the swim meet, but not that close to her though. Just sort of "I know you exist" that kind of closeness. Haha...

She was very nice la. We talked quite a bit and hugged before the race.

During the race, I made quite a few mistakes actually. In the beginning when I was supposed to step up on the plunging board, I didn't. Cos I didn't hear the whistle. Then until I realised how come there isn't a whistle and I look around, I realised that everyone else was already standing up there...

After I plunged, my goggles almost dropped out. But luckily it didn't. Before the race, we were all freaking out about what would happen if the goggles dropped out. Shuqi's did during the medley. And the coach said she could have been disqualified when she adjusted it. I really can't see if it came out...

Anyway, I think the first 50m went well. I remembered to plunge, pull and kick. And I was like... erm swimming moderately fast I guess. Like not as high frequency as for the 50m race, but still not that slow.

Turning was fine too. I don't remember much of it cos everything seemed to whizz pass so quickly.

But after turning, I had to do that pull (chang hua bi) and kick again, but I didn't have enough breath since I was swimming so hard. So I managed to pull, then without kicking, I came out of the water. I was in quite a weird position then. Hopefully no one saw that. Haha...

The remaining 25m began to feel tiring. I was pacing myself with the TJ girl beside me. For the first 75m, I think we were neck in neck. But towards the end, I got tired and she went ahead.

I felt tired, but I still tried to swim fast. It just wasn't worth it to rest for 1 or 2 seconds and add so much to the timing. I could have all the time I wanted to rest after it was over. I know I swam hard, but I felt I didn't give it my all. Maybe I did 95% of my maximum towards the end.

After the race, I was really tired and my whole body ached. Almost couldn't pull myself out of the pool. I guess that was evidence of my 95% effort.

We went to warm down, then met up with the others.

My timing is 1.47.22 min. Cheryl's is 2.04min. She was quite disappointed. The others said that she got nervous and didn't do the strokes properly. It's ok I guess. First times are always more frightening. I know it's true because I wasn't as nervous as I was last year.

Harry was having his event today too. 100m butterfly. But he stopped after 3 quarters of the race because he siad he couldn't breathe. It's because he just recovered from a bad cough. What a pity... I thought he did really well.

Anyway, that's all for today. Quite fun I must say, although I was a bundle of nerves before the race. Now that it's over, I'm more relaxed.

My next even is 50m breaststroke on thursday afternoon.

100m breaststroke
Event: 02-09
Heat: 2
Lane: 7
Timing: 1.47.22min (personal best)