Lara’s Blog

I hear that the definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing over and over, but expecting a different result.  That’s what Lara is NOT doing, the same things that did not work.  With a disappointing performance at US Nationals last month, Lara returned to Tucson determined to figure out how to get a different result.  Was she disappointed?  You bet.  Did she beat herself up?  Maybe a little.  But then gradually I see a little light come on and it’s getting brighter and brighter.  Lara has looked at what did not work and has decided to mix it up this fall.  The first thing she did was sign up for boxing classes.  Why would she do that, to beat someone up?  Watch out just in case.  She was invited by a friend to try the boxing gym.  Lara absolutely LOVES it!  She goes to about 4 classes a week warming up with the jump rope and working out her arms with the medicine ball.  What a great way to improve her endurance and upper body strength for swimming!  Sheer genius.  And she is still doing all of her workouts for the swim team plus 13 credits of classes.
Now for the mental makeover.  Talking to other parents and postgrads at Arizona, the toughest adjustment in an elite swimmer’s career is no longer competing with the university NCAA team.  The coaches are more focused on the college swimmers and the professional swimmers now must cut the cord a bit.  The coaches are still there to guide the post grads, but it’s up to the pros to figure out what they need from the coaches and to rely on each for support.  The post grads have all sorts of experience and successes.  The fellow post grad team mates can be a huge help to each other.  Lara has slowly come to the realization that she must steer her own course.  No more hand holding available.
Once again I am amazed by my daughter.  No matter what happens, she learns from that experience.   Lara has what it takes to be a true champion.  Way to go kiddo.  Love ya!  Mom

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What happened last week at Nationals with Lara’s 50 free?  To say the least it was very disappointing.  I have never seen Lara not do well in the 50 free, even when she’s feeling ill.  Since Nationals 2007, Lara has made it to the “A” final each time.  So we found ourselves in a different position, just making it to the “B” finals.  It’s called the consolation finals.  Not much comes from it except maybe a little redemption to better your time from the prelims.  Having a set back like that causes you to overthink and analyze, what could have been?  Leading up to the meet Lara said that she was swimming well in practice.  And with each meet this summer, she was getting faster.  Lara had the ability to win that race and make the Pan Pac team.  So what did happen?  Maybe it all comes down to what’s going on in her head.
The fiasco surrounding the results of the 2008 Olympic Trials could still be rearing it’s ugly head.  Lara barely missed making the team, then she should have been on the team, but did not get put on the team.  That was a very big deal and I thought that Lara came through it all with grace and class.  But I’m sure deep down she is sad that she did not get that opportunity to compete in Beijing.  Then Lara had her senior year of eligibility for NCAA swimming.  The team looked good and were predicted to win the National title again in 2009.  A disqualification in the 200 Medley relay was costly in losing 40 points and the team could not recover to regain the championship.  Another huge disappointment and Lara was fairly burned out with it all.  Then on April 9, 2009 we lost Keith, Lara’s biggest fan and greatest supporter.  I was not aware how much this affected Lara, apparently quite distraught without her Dad and withdrawing from all of her classes at U of A.  How do you get over the loss of your beloved Dad?  It’s not easy and time needs to heal those fresh deep wounds.  Going to the swim meets is just not the same without Keith.  We all miss him so desperately.
Now Lara’s been out of college swimming for two years trying to make it as a professional swimmer.  She got an agent.  She would like to be more independent financially, but she still has 18 more credits to go to graduate with her scholarship.  So school’s got to be the focus now, even at the cost of training with her swimming.  So Lara, you put so much pressure on yourself, wanting to make money and wanting to be successful with the swimming.  You have to realize that your moment for greatness will come when all of the stars are aligned and when you have all of your ducks in a row.  This was a disappointing Nationals and we are all depressed that you did not make the Pan Pac Team that you so much deserved.  But as you heal spiritually you will succeed again.  And maybe not making it this time is God’s way of saying, “step back a bit, it will happen when the time is right”.  Never, ever give up.
Love, Mom

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It still was a magical night for Day 3 finals at US Nationals in Irvine.  Rebecca Soni was the victor in the 100 breast and was superfast by 3 seconds with our own Annie Chandler taking second.  Woo-hoo, way to go ladies.  And Kara Lynn Joyce won the 50 free.  We are very happy for her.  During her interview she said that she was so happy to win because last year she’d had a bad year and placed 9th in this event at Nationals.  Kara Lynn, you just made our day!  You have shown if one does not give up and keeps on swimming, that at some point it’s going to go your way.  Thanks.
Now Lara and I are ready to say farewell to US Nationals.  We’ll be off for some beach time.  Later!

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Lots of excitement prior to the 50 free prelims.  Lara was seeded second.  She’s been feeling good.  She’s been working hard.  But it was all over in a flash.  She got off the block and slowly lost steam coming in 5th or 6th in her heat with a 25.95.  Not good.  Not good at all.  And we’re disappointed in the results.   But NEVER disappointed in Lara.  We just need to get out our frustrations out, recover and move on.  Spiritually, we need to leave it in God’s hands.  Lara HAS greatness in her and God will know when the time is right.  It was just not meant to be today.
Lara’s resting for finals tonight.  No pressure.  She can be relaxed and perhaps get the fast time that we all know she can do.  Go Lara!  Be the shark.

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Well there’s some exciting swimming happening here in Irvine at US Nationals.  Lara was busy doing a work out in order to prepare for tonight’s relay so I decided to watch some first class swimming.  Found a good parking place and made a quick pit stop before finding a good seat in the grand stands.  The first event of the morning was the women’s 100 back in which Natalie Coughlin came out as the top seed.  And then we had two mens events in a row that saw the rock stars of swimming.  In the 200 free, Vanderkaay came out as top seed followed closely by Lochte, Berens and some guy named Phelps.  The 100 back is proving to be one of the most competitive events of the meet with Aaron Peirsol coming out as top seed for tonight’s finals.  Breathing down his neck are Matt Grevers from Arizona and former Arizona swimmer, Nick Thoman.  Good luck tonight gentlemen.
The top seeds for tonight’s women’s 200 freestyle are Vollmer, Schmitt, Hoff and Sutton.  And the last event of the morning has Michael Phelps as the top seed in the 200 fly.  Should be a fun night of finals!  Now to rest up and see you all back here tomorrow for the women’s 50 free results.  Go Lara, go!

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Well the date written on my calendar months ago is finally here.  US Swimming Nationals started today.  Lara and I have been becoming familiar with the area and finding our way between the hotel in Costa Mesa and the pool in Irvine.  Thank goodness for my trusty Garmin!   This is my third Nationals that I’ve attended and the air is always electric with the excitement of anticipation.  In Irvine there is a huge grand stand for spectators by the outdoor competition pool.  Behind the stands are all sorts of booths where I was able to get some free USA Swimming petite seat cushions.  Free is always good!
Today’s events included W 100 fly, M 400 free, W 200 IM, M 100 breast, W 400 free and M 400 IM.  Lara was done with her work out at the end of the 200 IM, so we took off to grab lunch.  Tonight I am particularly interested to see who will win the Women’s 100 fly, Christine Magnuson or Dana Vollmer.  Both awesome competitors and Olympians.  You go ladies!  And tomorrow we’ll look forward to watching Lara lead off the 4 x 100 free relay.

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I am getting so excited for next week!  US Swimming Nationals will be held in Irvine, California August 2-7, 2010.  And Lara is ready.  She has been focusing on her training and her workouts have been going well.  I will post the link to US Swimming on the coverage available online and on TV, at the end of this blog entry.  The results of this meet will qualify swimmers for the Pan Pacs in Irvine August 18-22, 2010 and also for the World Champs in Shenghai, China in 2011.  So you see why this is all so very exciting for Lara.
Here’s how the week will play out.  On Wednesday, August 4th, Lara will lead off the Women’s 4 x 100 free relay with Ford Aquatics.  Her goal is to have a good swim and to get one swim under her belt before the big day.  Which big day?  The next day, Thursday, August 5th is the 50 M free.  No Dara Torres this year.  She must still be recovering from her most recent knee surgery.  The top seeds on the pysch sheet are: 1. Weir 24.23, 2. Jackson 24.71, 3. Botek 24.89, 4. Hardy 24.90, 5. Magnuson 25.09, 6. Vollmer, 7. Joyce 25.14 and 8. Franklin 25.23.  You go Lara and show them what you’ve got!  On Friday Lara will rest for Saturday, August 7th for the Women’s 100 M free.  She’s a bit low on the seeding, but who knows what will happen?  If she is on her game, the ranking will be higher on the list after.
I will be busy blogging and tweeting on ElPasoMartina.  So stay tuned for the big week.  And let me have your comments so I know that you are out there!  We all need to get behind our girl and cheer her on.  She’s going to kick butt!

http://www.usaswimming.org/ViewNewsArticle.aspx?TabId=0&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en&ItemId=2920&mid=9822

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Lara is making progress with her training and we are all excited that she took third in the 50 meter free at the LA Grand Prix Meet on Saturday, July 10th.  So why would we be happy with that?  I mentioned before that Lara stepped back from her training a bit to focus on her studies at the University of Arizona.  For the summer long course season, Lara is playing a little catch up with her training.  And the high tech suits are gone as well.  That may also be an adjustment.  It’s funny, but the long course season is rather short when compared to the short course (25 yards) season.  There’s not much time to get up to speed (no pun intended), during long course meters.  Lara got her feet wet (no pun intended again), with the first meet of the season at the Tucson Classic in early June.  Then one week later she was competing at the Santa Clara Grand Prix Meet.  She barely got her 100 M free down to under one minute.  And she tied for 7th in the 50 meter free with a 25.84.  I know that she may not have been happy with that because I remember her swimming the 50 in a 25.50 at Tucson.  But her text to me was, “Yea, I’m not too worried.  I had some good elements on my race today but it’s all about learning what to fix and where to go from here.”
I was curious to see what would happen in LA.  Lara was seeded fourth for finals out of prelims with a 25.77.  I nervously watched finals on the live webcast with my sister on the phone, trying not to scream too loudly into the phone.  The race went off and Lara was looking good!  She lead all the way and I thought that she would win it, but she got third with a 25.23.  Whew!  Best time so far this season.  Kara Lynn Joyce won with a 25.14 and Jessica Hardy took second with 25.16.  Lara sent me a text after I congratulated her, “I know I still need to fix some things but it was progress.  And I was only 0.09 behind first.  I was leading and when I finish I’ll be unbeatable.”   I know Lara, you will be unbeatable at Nationals in Irvine.  Can’t wait to see!

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So Lara completed her second meet of the long course season.  Lara is still getting used to competing again after spending the spring semester concentrating on her studies.  On Friday of the meet, Lara swam the 100 free in prelims and finals, plus swam the lead off leg for the Tucson Ford “B” relay.  She’s back under one minute, but was hoping to go a little faster.  Saturday was an off day, so she swam the 100 breast in prelims for fun.  Got to rest Saturday evening from competition.  Sunday was 50 free day and Lara was geared up for that event.  In the morning Lara was second seed after prelims for finals that evening.  Her prelim time was 25.78 from her seed time of 24.71.  In finals Lara tied for seventh with a 25.84.  The 14 year old Aussie won with a 25.13.  I know that Lara does not swim her fastest at the beginning of the season.  In fact, in the past Lara has avoided swimming the 50 to compete in “off” races such as the 200 IM or the 200 free.  But I also know that Lara is quite competitive and does not like coming in at the bottom of the pack.  So I tentatively sent her a text message telling her that I love her.  I was relieved when I saw her reply, “Yea, I’m not too worried.  I had some good elements on my race today but it’s all about learning what to fix and where to go from here.”  So back to Tucson to work hard and to get ready to go to the LA Grand Prix Meet July 8-11.  Then begin the taper for US Nationals.  Lara, you are right on track!

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http://twitter.com/

Long course season is about to begin for Lara.  Next weekend is the Southwest Tucson Classic Meet at the University of Arizona pool.  The meet begins Thursday evening, June 10 and concludes Sunday evening, June 13.  I love going to this meet.  Hard to believe I actually look forward to this when it is so oppressively hot in Tucson in the summer.  But our family has such found memories of this meet.  We first took Lara to compete in Tucson when she was just 11 years old swimming age group level.  We continued to return to this meet most years.  We did not realize back then that Lara would actually end up going to college here AND swimming on the  Division I  University of Arizona Swim Team.  Woo-hoo!   So this will start out the summer season for Lara.  Lara had an excellent semester focusing on her studies during the spring.  But this summer it’s all about her swimming.  She’s training hard and gearing up.
Which brings me to this post.  I will definitely be blogging about how Lara’s season is going on this site.  But I want to try out my tweeting skills.  Some of you may be familiar with Twitter, but let me give you a few instructions.  Go on the Twitter.com website link and look for ElPasoMartina.  You can sign up to follow my tweets.  And you can also allow updates of my tweets to go to your cell phone as well.  So convenient, eh?
As the season progresses and I attend or follow any of the meets in which Lara participates, I can send out up to the minute tweets.  So get connected if you want to “play” along.
Here’s the schedule for the rest of the summer.  Lara will travel to the Santa Clara International Grand Prix Swim Meet June 17-20.  The Janet Evans International Grand Prix Swim Meet in LA, California is July 8-11.  Then I will be joining Lara in Irvine, California August 3-7 for the Conoco Philips US National Championships.  Hopefully Lara will qualify out of that meet for 2010 Pan Pacific Championships August 18-22, also in Irvine, California.  So hopefully I’ll have lots of opportunity to both blog and tweet all about Lara and our family swim experiences.  Go Lara!  I believe in you.  You have greatness in you.  Her Dad always believed that.

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