Lara’s Blog

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As a condition of receiving a grant from USA Swimming, Lara is obligated to participate in three Grand Prix Meets in 2010.  I’ve mentioned before that Lara has been putting her main focus into her studies at University of Arizona this semester.  Although she is working hard in practice, she is not at the caliber to swim fast times at this meet.  Checking out the psych sheet, she is listed top 5 in the 100 fly and is the top seed in the 50 free.  I know that Lara is usually quite competitive, so I know that she will put out full effort for each of her races.  But be prepared that she will not be at her peak for this meet.  She’s saving that for the Pan Pac Trials in early August.  Whatever happens, go Lara, go!

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Life is a blessing every day, right?  Or every day is a blessing.  It’s winter, kind of cold here in El Paso.  Enjoying watching the winter Olympics on TV. Working well at my day job.  And pleased to know that each of my daughters is working hard at school.  Carly is completing her master’s degree at Emerson College in Boston.  And Lara is working on her bachelor’s degree at the University of Arizona in Tucson.  In the wake of losing Keith, I sometimes wonder if we’ll be okay financially.  Thankfully working as a physical therapist provides a good living.  But trying to launch Lara’s career as a professional swimmer can be challenging with this economy.  Travel expenses to out of town meets can get expensive as well as just paying the rent and eating.  So it was nice that Lara got some notifications from USA Swimming that there are grants and moneys available to help with training expenses.  We wanted to take advantage of any moneys that Lara was eligible for.
The first grant application was due in November 2009.  Lara received notification on February 6th that she was selected to receive the William E. Simon grant this year.  Very nice news, to say the least.  When Lara received this notification, she had just completed an application for the 2010 Athlete Investment Plan.  And Lara received notification on February 9th, “Dear Lara, We received thirty-five proposals for this funding from current National Team athletes and 2008 Olympians and we were extremely impressed with the thoughtfulness that went into them.  We have reviewed all of the plans we received and we are pleased to tell you we will be awarding you $____  to support the goals and objectives discussed in your plan.  Specifically, this funding can address horse care and horseback riding.”   Wow, Lara!  You are awarded moneys from USA Swimming to assist paying for your training in preparation for the 2012 Olympics and somehow you get your horse funded!   Only you can pull this off.  And you know what?  You and Calypso deserve this because I know that she has a huge impact on your success in swimming.  Way to go, Calypso!

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I continue to be in awe of my talented swim baby, Lara Jackson.  She continues to astound me.  Just got back from Tucson where I had a good one-on-one visit with Lara.  We were able to connect on a couple of occasions on what’s going on in our lives as we gradually recover from our great loss.  We remembered Keith and shed a couple of tears, but it was very cleansing.
Lara is back in class at University of Arizona pounding the books and enjoying the farm where she’s taking a yearling class, learning to train baby horses.  She’s in her element there!  What impresses me is the focus and drive that she exhibits as she returns to academics and training in her swimming.  And with all of this, she loves to have fun.  You go girl!  We were pleased to learn that Lara was awarded a grant from USA Swimming for which she applied last November.  I had about given up hope on that grant and we were able to complete an application for another funding opportunity through USA Swimming.  Lara spent a couple of hours on the application Saturday evening and again on Sunday.  It needed to be faxed on Monday morning, February 1.  What a pleasant surprise to get a text from Lara today stating that she got the grant.  I was so thrilled I could not stand it.  Such a blessing to get this.
So Lara’s big goal for 2010 is to swim well at Pan Pac Trials in August in Irvine, California.  The Pan Pacs are hosted by USA about two weeks later in Irvine, California.  A nice experience to make an international team and not have to leave the country!  In the meantime, Lara will be traveling to Austin, Texas to compete in the Austin Grand Prix Meet March 4-6.  So I know that all of her fans will wish her well as she works towards her ultimate goal of the 2012 Olympics in London, England.  We believe in you Lara, we believe!

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We’re missing someone very important to us, especially as the holiday season arrives.  Eight months ago our lives changed forever when we lost Keith in an accident.  The courses of our lives have veered and we’ve had to pick up the pieces and figure out how to go on without a husband, dad, son, brother and friend.  For the most part, we are functioning and even thriving.  But as Lara put it, it’s as if we’re living an alternative reality and time does not seem the same.  I know what she means.  Carly, Lara and I are looking at the world in a different way.  And time has a different perspective.
When I get excited about something or hear something interesting, I initially want to share that with Keith.  But then I realize that’s no longer possible.  I still can’t grasp at times that he’s gone.  Gone now for eight months.  But I found out this past weekend that he is not forgotten.  The Arizona Swim Team paid a special tribute to Keith, placing a quote of Keith’s from the 2009 NCAA’s banquet on the parent t-shirts this year.  To see Keith’s name on many of the parents’ shirts just was so touching to me.  And I thank them for the honor.  Wouldn’t Keith be tickled to know all about this?
So Keith, if you “see” this, know how much you are loved, admired and missed.  Just know that our world will never be the same without you.

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It was great to be back in Austin for the Texas Invitational.  Lara, Whitney Myers and I were trying to see how we fit in.  We weren’t on the University of Arizona team, but we were with them.  Lara and Whitney weren’t trying to get any NCAA cut times, so they had to find their own goals for this meet, as post NCAA eligibility swimmers.  After traveling and competing around the world the past 6 weeks, the girls did themselves proud.  On the first day, Lara won the 50 free in a new suit that meets the standards for 2010.  She went a 22.44.  I was proud that she won that race, her baby.
The second day was the 100 back, which Lara just swam in prelims since she didn’t swim it very well.  But onto the third day and she attacked the 100 yard free.  It was a thrill to watch.  She was top seed out of pre-lims with a 49.22.  I figured her body would fatigue out, but she swam hard the whole time and was pleased with that performance.  I had to chuckle because she swam in the wrong lane.  Luckily it did not DQ her for finals, but I thought it was fairly amusing.  I returned to El Paso after prelims on Saturday, so one of the Mom’s promised to text me the results.  And I was home in time to check the results live online.  Ah, technology!  Lara finished fourth with a 49.36.  She apparently fatigued at the end.
I spoke with Lara about the race and she said that her coach, Rocket was happy with the way she swam.  He told her to go all out the third lap, and she was too fatigued to keep the pace for the last lap.  But when she’s better rested, I know that she can conquer that race.  You see, that race has always been a bit of a block for Lara.  She did not have the full confidence that she could swim the 100 free well.  But with everything that’s happened the last few weeks and coming on this trip as a post grad, her confidence is definitely increasing that she’s a world class swimmer.  And she’ll be a force to reckon with.  Lara, great things are on the way for you!

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Good to be in Austin with Lara and the Arizona Team once again.  Although this time we are with the team, not “on” the team.  However the parents and swimmers have made us feel welcome and it is nice to be among friends.  The team has not forgotten us, they have shown their love and support to us in several ways.  The most moving to me was getting one of the parent Arizona t-shirts with a tribute to Keith with his quote from the NCAA’s banquet last season.  You see, their theme this year is that the team is a very special entity and that no where else again will the kids experience such a special situation.  In essence, “Together this team is so much more than the sum of its parts”.  Cherish this experience forever.  And that quote is printed on the front of the shirt with Keith’s name.  I was overcome with emotion when I saw that shirt.  Knowing that Keith’s support as a swim dad was appreciated and not forgotten.  Keith lives on in this team.
As for prelims this morning.  Coach forgot to sign Lara up for the 100 fly, so she was in the first heat, lane 8.  Came in with a time of 55.82, good enough for the “B” final tonight.  And in the 50 free, Lara had a goggle malfunction after her starting dive and still managed to come in with a 22 for second seed tonight.  The goal is to swim a 21 again.  Now remember from the last posting that the high tech suits will be gone in international swimming as of January 2010, but college swimming has already stopped the high tech suits due to the season running into 2010.  So this morning, Lara was back in a Nike suit with the acceptable material.  So she’s looking good for having just returned from her world tour, switching from 25 short course meters to 25 short course yards, and for getting over a sinus and ear infection.  Her mom’s here to take care of her.  I am making sure she gets good food and lots of fluids.  Take note Coach Stanton.  I’m trying to be the best swim parent I can be.  If I do my job, then Lara can do her best.  Go Cats!  Go Lara!

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Lara is back in Tucson all safe and sound.  The traveling from Singapore to Arizona, via Korea and Atlanta, Georgia took forever.  Crazy for Lara.  She’s glad that’s done!  On the day after Thanksgiving, Lara’s back to swim practice getting ready for one more swim meet for 2009.  University of Arizona and a few post-grads are headed to Austin, Texas on Wednesday, December 2 for the Texas Invitational at UT Austin.  Traditionally, Arizona goes to this meet all tapered and ready to swim fast for the team to get as many NCAA cuts as possible.  Since Lara is no longer on the university swim team, she can actually relax a little and swim for fun.  Just off this huge world tour, it will be interesting to see if swimming short course meters for 6 weeks affects her short course yards events.  I am always pleasantly surprised with what Lara comes up with.
And anyone who follows swimming knows all about the high tech suits that made their appearance shortly before the 2008 Olympics.  The suits have caused huge controversies and have been considered to artificially enhance a swimmer’s ability. Just check out how many world records have been broken in the last 18 months.  It’s insane.   So FINA has approved new rules for the suits effective January 2010.  The fabric of the suit must meet certain standards, so no rubber material or prosthetic type attachments.  Women may wear legs that stop above the knees and no zipper closures.  Men also may wear suits to above the knees, but nothing above the navel.
In essence, this will be the last meet that Lara will wear any of these suits.  Lara’s reaction?  She can’t wait until  the new rules to ban the high tech suits happens.  She wants a more fair playing field, because the suits help some body types more than others.  And Lara was making excellent progress with her times before the high tech suits invaded.  Not to mention that Nike got out of the competition suit area and that meant less sponsoring available for the up and coming professional swimmers.  It’s been a wild ride, now it will be interesting to see where swimming goes next.
And I am looking forward to being reunited with Lara in Austin so I can do what I do best, cheer her on and be the best swim mom that I know how to be.  Go Cats!  Go Lara!

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I just finished talking with Lara on skype and asked her a few questions about her experiences on this world tour.   Whitney Myers, Lara’s traveling companion for the past 6 weeks was also in the room answering my questions.  First of all, the two agreed on how close they’ve become and have enjoyed being each other’s closest friend, colleague, and even coach.  They’ve had to rely totally on each other, push each other and also give each other advice.  That’s another new situation for Lara, being at major meets without her coach.  Besides relying on Whitney, Lara also had alot of help from South African Swimmers, Roland Schoeman and Lyndon Ferns and American swimmer, Aaron Peirsol.
Lara said that she’s learned alot and that her eyes have been opened to new ways of doing things.  First of all, should she decide to do the World Cup again, there needs to be different preparation with her training.  She needs to concentrate on more fine tuning with techniques.  Especially nailing the turns and finishes.  Lara said that on her 50 fly last night, she swam an awesome stroke, but her turn was very sloppy.  That costs valuable time, especially in the short distance sprint races where there is no room for error.
Lara sounded great.  She has some evaluating to do for her post-grad goals so she can be all set for 2012 Olympic Trials.  She is definitely glad that she had this experience on the world tour and she and Whitney would love to do it again in the future.  I say that there’s no stopping her now and man, isn’t this all just too exciting?  My baby girl up on the world stage.  I’m sure Keith is smiling from heaven.

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I finally figured out on the FINA page that I can look at the results by event, or click at the top to see the results by day 1 or day 2.  This made it alot easier to see what was happening in what order when I awoke at 2:30 am and could not get back to sleep.  So what the heck, I trudged down to the computer to see how my daughter was fairing on the other side of the world.  Luckily this is the last stop for the World Cup Swimming and Lara will be on her way back to the states on Tuesday.   That will be very nice!
On day 1, Lara competed in the 50 back and the 50 free.  In the back prelims, Lara swam a 28.07 which was good enough to qualify for finals.  She finished sixth with a time of 27.65 and had the fastest reaction time off the block with a .57.  How does she do that?  It’s not even her favorite stroke.  The winner of the back’s time was a 26.55.
As for the 50 free, in prelims Lara swam a 24.28 and she placed third in finals with a 24.04 with a reaction time of .65. She got to be back on the podium with the top three finish.  And the winner of the 50 free did a 23.27.  Funny, Lara swam faster 50 frees, her best a 23.85 at the previous World Cup meets and did not place.  So even though she got third, she may have wished that she had gone faster.
On day 2, Lara placed ninth in the 100 free in 55.90, her splits were 26.55 and 29.35.  Lara needs to work on that second half then she’ll be fairly dangerous in that event.  For the 50 fly, Lara swam a 26.61 in prelims, then got fourth with a 25.44.  The winner came in at 24.38.  Nice job for Lara shaving more than a second off her prelim time.
What a great experience this world tour has been.  Lara has learned alot and seen alot.  I am anxious to talk with her on Skype to get any last comments about what this has all meant for her.  In the meantime, I’m sure that there is some celebrating going on in Singapore as I write this, for a great journey.

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I am so proud of Lara.  She did a great job in Berlin, our motherland!  Understand that this is the first time that Lara has competed at this distance, short course meters.  Lara is the definition of a sprinter.  And in a splash and dash, there is no room for error.   Lara is the American record holder in the 50 yard free.  She has that race down, to the perfect start, great pull out, excellent turn and a big finish.  This race is second nature to Lara.  But with the 50 meter free in short course, the timing may be a little off due to the extra distance.  Math 101, a meter is longer than a yard!  So the automatic execution is not quite there yet.  So Lara has been disappointed in her 50 free results at the last two World Cup meets, the one in Durban and now Berlin.  In Durban Lara went a 23.99.  and in Berlin she did a 23.85.  She’s getting faster, but just good enough for a 5th place finish.
Sunday, November 15 was a new day and the 50 fly came together for Lara.  She got on the podium with a third place finish which entitles her to prize money.  According to swimmingworld magazine.com, “…while Lara Jackson of the U.S. took third in 25.17.  That effort beat her American record set during prelims with a 25.61.”
Lara’s email to me after stated, “Was disappointed with my free but the 50 fly was great.  I was thinking about it and at AZ my 50 fly was the first thing to come around too.”  Meaning as a freshman, Lara struggled every day with doubts about whether she belonged on a Division I swim team.  Then in the middle of her freshman year she earned a spot on the 200 medley relay with the 50 fly.  I guess history does repeat itself.  Watch out Singapore!

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