Running Wild

Five groups punctuated our performance in the water Friday afternoon.  Our first 3650 yards were very good; you can tell we are developing a routine in the afternoon as the sun beats down on our backs.  The soreness remains, but the fitness level is right where it needs to be. 

When we separated, each pod had specific goals that were corralled.  The men were divided into three sections based from main events that will most likely be swum on the second day of the conference championships.  Ben and Darien hauled the most yardage preparing for their 400 IMs.  It may not seem that difficult, but concluding practice with 20x25s sprint was a challenge, but the two men performed above expectations and were the final two standing from the Bison practice.

Trent, Miles and Kelvin polished their 200 freestyle practice with excellent pace work, specifically their 8x100s at pace level.  The sprint stroke section of Steven, Darell, Ham, Emeka and Jerome sprinkled sprint 50s throughout their 1700 yard section, nailing their closing speed off the final turns.

E'lan, Keely, Ashley, Lauren and Briana coupled max underwaters in backstroke with some polishing of technique in their long axis events while Janai, Camille, Shai and Caleah rehearsed greater turnover in their middle 50 of a 100.



Ashley (#8) supervises a chaotic scramble for the "safe zone."

Seven practices in the pool had concluded; it was time to shuffle to the grassy training grounds for our annual battle of Capture the Flag.  With our pull-up pyramid in the books and our sculpting of abdominals done, we split into two teams to claim the right to be called Champions of Capture the Flag.  Rules were explained, but strategies were plotted and the match was on...
If you've ever played Capture the Flag, you know animosity can spike at any moment.  The ferocity to win is tremendous.  The chance to defend your turf after being invaded almost seems personal.  "What, you're in my space?  Get your sorry self back on the other side."  Or if you are the predator, you risk your body just to have the opportunities to claim the flag and validate that your side of the field is supreme.  Most of the officiating is self-policed (not always a good thing.)  The rush of sprinting at a target and succeeding or failing to reach that target is intense.  The string of chained events just to earn one team point is precise, aggressive and daring.


Capture the Flag personified...Keely Monge protects her team's integrity and real estate by tagging out Darell Hungerford, who could not penetrate the safe zone within the rules of the game.

 In the end, Team Steven Michael prevailed 9-7.  It should be noted that Team Fire and Desire were down 4-1 and eventually led 5-4. 

Here were our three stars of the afternoon:
#3 - Briana Dillon - Bri showed good form throughout her swims.  The freshman also kept her composure quite nicely during capture the flag and executed a brilliant point for her team.
#2 - Miles Hector - the 200 freestyle practice permitted fast swimming and Miles took full advantage.  His 50 splits immediately following a thorough set and interval were tremendous.
#1 - Darien Washington - not only did Darien lay the lumber in his 400 IM practice, but he understood the main concepts behind Capture the Flag and did his best to explain the game's motives to his teammates.

The bus ride returning to the Lighthouse Resort was a good one.  People were exchanging tales of bravery on the battlefield and the fellowship regained its centralized purpose for this trip.  That's what made today so special.  There were moments where we needed to "flip the switch" for the good of our group and display the intensity of a starving wolf.  No one was going to interfere with our accomplishments.  But when it was time for reflection and admiration, we laughed like hyenas and good excited for dinner (but resorted back to wolfness upon the first sign of food.) 

Us