I don't think I have the temperment to be a time-keeper for the swim team. I signed up to do it three times this year, and with once under my belt, I hope things get better.
The first race went pretty well and I was able to record an accurate time and give the sheet to the runner. Then terror overcame me as the second race began sooner than I expected. Suddenly the bell rang signifying to the swimmers that it was time to take their places. Then the buzzer rang and I was supposed to push start. I somehow managed to drop my pencil in the water and I almost didn't set the timer on in time. Fortunately I did time the event, and a sweet onlooking child got in the water and retrieved my pencil.
Then some swimmers lined up in my lane who I did not have cards for. It was a 4 girl relay. Someone informed me that the person on the other end of the pool was keeping time for them, so I relaxed. Then I realized that they were wrong, and that I was supposed to be keeping their time. During the race, someone came up to me and gave me the cards. I had to write NOT TIMED on the cards and inform the girls, who had finished first by the way. I felt terrible about it.
After this, things calmed down a little.
In race 14, Luke2 competed in a 25 yard relay. He the 4th racer and he was sitting there chering on his team members. Unfortunately, when it was time for him to go all of the other teams were finished with their races, so he was the only one in the pool. He did quite well and was very fast, but he lost before he even began.
Luke2 was in 3 other races, including a breast stroke and backstroke and freestyle, and DV raced freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. All in all, it was a night of family fun and learning.
DV was pleased with himself because he beat his time in the trials by aboaut 10 seconds. I told him that was what it was all about. You can't worry about it if you're not faster than all of the kids who have been swimming for years. The best thing to do is to try to improve your own time and go for a personal best.
Toward the end of the meet, the boys jumped at the opportunity for 1/2 price pizza, and then they needed a snack when they got home. Lots of energy was expended out there that night - by the swimmers, the parent volunteers and even the spectators who had grueling hours of fun on the playground (at least that is the way Han looks at it anyway).
Too bad I forgot to put the memory card into the camera before we left the house. I carried the camera around with me, but was unable to get any photos. I'll get some next time.
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