Thoughts That Went Through My Head During My 400m Freestyle Race

Heat 9, lane 7. Heat 9, lane 7. “Are you Michael?”, asks the backup timer. “Yes, that’s me”, I reply. I wonder if swimming the 400m feels the same as a 500 yard race? I think to myself as I approach the block. Hmmm should I do a track start or traditional start. I don’t really think the track start gives me an advantage, I guess I’ll go traditional. Should I use the step to get up on the block or just take one big step and hop up on the block. Yeah, that’s how I’ll do it. I wonder if I should have had more to eat today? I hear two beeps. Time for action. “Swimmers take your mark… BEEP!”

Starting Block

Start’s a little deep but ok, feeling good the first few strokes. Man this pool is deep. Breathe right, let’s keep it to one side today. I hope my goggles don’t fog up. Yeah, we’re good. I can’t see anyone though. I guess I’ll have to peek during flip turns. I wonder where my counter is? Oh well, I’m pretty sure I can count myself. Wow, I’m feeling pretty good today. Wonder if I’m swimming hard enough? Well, going to try to negative split, so can’t take it out too fast. 400m shouldn’t be too different than swimming 400 yard sets in practice, right? I wonder where all of that rust at the bottom of the pool comes from? Where are all of the other swimmers? I literally can’t see anyone. Oh there’s someone. Is he ahead or behind me? This is a long race. Oh there’s my counter. I wonder if the waving back and forth of the counter pole is a good thing or a bad one. Am I swimming fast and it’s a “hey nice job!” or is it a “get your butt in gear and swim faster!” kind of wave. Halfway point. Still feeling pretty good. I seem to be drinking a lot of pool water this race. Let’s not do that. Oh, I’d better work on my dolphin kicks off the wall. I wonder if I’ve been dolphin kicking? Not a very good streamline that time. I must be getting a little tired. Can’t think about that. Time to negative split. Only 100 to go. I still feel pretty good, let’s up the kick tempo. I still can’t see anyone. Is everyone else done already? This isn’t like practice. LAST lap, that’s the red counter!! Nice finish. Five double oh. Was hoping to be a little faster, but not bad for my first 400m ever. Time for warm down. Not sure if I can pull myself out of the pool to get there though.