Friday Fun: Killer Ducks & State Swim Prep

This weekend our oldest (9) swims in two relays at the 12 & Under Short Course State Swim Meet.

He'll swim a 50 free as part of the 200 Freestyle Relay and a 50 fly as part of the 200 Medley Relay. I'm really excited for him and the Sharks!

Last night the team had its state pasta party at the high school and each swimmer got a bag of goodies.

Inside Truitt's bag was a rubber duck. He explained later that he and his teammates noticed the duck has long eyelashes, which was not acceptable. So they took their sharpie markers and decorated the ducks.

Meet Killer.

It makes me smile. I love being his mom and watching him grow up.

Questions for You:

- What would you name this duck?

- How do/did you prepare for big meets, tournaments, matches etc?

Photos by me.

Dancer Meets Triathlete - Oscar Week!

Dancer Meets Triathlete: Oscar Week!
When Oscar-nominated Natalie Portman was training for her role in Black Swan she studied with the New York City Ballet five hours a day for six months. For cross-training, she also swam.

With the strength and agility required for Black Swan, I bet Portman would make a solid triathlete.

Let's compare:

*(D) Dancer, (T) Triathlete

Training schedule: (D) Obsessive, (T) Obsessive

Clothing: (D) Leotard, (T) Trisuit

Modesty suggests: (D) Black tights, (T) Black tri shorts

Performance enhancer: (D) Leg warmers, (T) Compression socks

Underlayers: (D) Commando, (T) Commando

Quick costume changes required: (D) Offstage, (T) Transition tent or on the fly

Wear and tear: (D) Bloody toes, chafing, blisters, (T) Fin bites, saddle sores, raw heels

Covers the butt: (D) Tutu, (T) Sparkle skirt, running skirt, transition skirt

Crowns: (D) Tiara, headpiece, feathers, (T) Swim cap, bike helmet, world championship crown

Hairstyle: (D) Bun, (T) Two braids

Segments: (D) Intermission, (T) Transition

In charge: (D) Director, (T) Coach

Shoes: (D) Tap, jazz, ballet and pointe, (T) Bike, run or tri

Laces: (D) Satin, elastic, (T) Speed

Bag: (D) Duffel, (T) Tri backpack

TMI: (D) Shaves more than general population, (T) ditto

In peak form: (D) Mesmerizing, (T) Effortless

Venues: (D) Talent show to Broadway stage, (T) Indoor, traditional, off-road and winter

Footwork: (D) Beautiful feet, (T) Born to run

Race preparation: (D) Dress rehearsal, (T) On site walk-through

Begins: (D) Curtain opens, (T) Cannon fires

Audience, spectators appreciate: (D) Gorgeous lines, (T) People watching

Concludes: (D) Nailing the finish, (T) Sprinting across the finish line

Post-finish: (D) Encore, (T) Sign up for another tri!

Questions for You:

- Is Portman a triathlete?

- What elite triathletes have dance backgrounds?

- How has dance helped your skills as a triathlete?

- What did I miss?

And finally, "Who's dancing? Come on, who's dancing? Want me to get it started?"
-- Elaine Benes youtube clip

pictures:

- free media download from Black Swan,

- me in a tutu and

- me in my tri suit & sparkle skirt after a local triathlon.

2x Winner via The Facebook: Thanks USAT & USYS

I like movies. I like winning. So in the spirit of 21 & The Social Network and I'm happy to declare Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner upon winning two facebook contests. How exciting!

To celebrate hitting 50,000 facebook fans USA Triathlon offered fans a special prize for liking its post. Over 1,000 people liked the status and USA Triathlon selected 50 fans as winners, including me (ask 21's main lead Ben to do the math for me...it should be easy).

I've been using my prize, two pint glasses, to celebrate. This weekend we celebrated with Coach Nick and his team's fifth straight Div. 2 State HS boys swimming title! (Congratulations to Neil also!)

I also won a soccer coaching kit thanks to United States Youth Soccer Association and Sports Authority. To enter you posted your favorite drill or lesson and you got extra entries if people liked your idea. There were 83 comments, some with a bunch of likes. I wrote about a drill I do with disc cones, Star Wars-style defense and body contact, it's really fun.

This is what I won: 8 bibs, 6 cones, 2 size four soccer balls, 12 water bottles, 1 clipboard and a large ball bag! Cool!

I've coached boys and girls from age 5 to 17 at several levels. I'm currently coaching our Kindergartner's team the U7 Lions. We start up again in early April. Gooooooooo Lions!

Questions for You:

- Have you won something on Facebook?

- What sports have you played or coached?

- Thoughts on 21 or The Social Network? As a college rower, it was fun to see the rowing element in The Social Network. As a Wisconsin rower (the one in red), I got to row with the Radcliffe lightweight 4 at Eastern Sprints. I was the Wisco spare and the Radcliffe stroke had a 104 fever--so I filled in, what a fun opportunity.

- And yes, I had to check facebook before going to bed after finishing The Social Network...