WORLDS, Part 2-- The Experience

My Family in Montreal

FINA Masters World Championships provided more than just an amazing competition, it gave me the opportunity to meet new people, enjoy time with my friends, and go on a week long trip with my family.  The food and accommodations were stellar.

The week started when my family picked me up for the 7 hour drive to Montreal. We met at a spot along the QEW Toronto, as they came from London and I live in Niagara.  It felt like the old days; like I was 12 years old.  My brother, Johnny, and I rode in the back of the car while my Dad and his fiance sat in the front.  It was just like old times, kids in the back telling the parents up front to turn off the GPS cause your going the wrong way anyway,  and you know, you can drive faster. Then my Dad retorting" if you don't be quiet I'll pull this car over and you can walk."  We hit several rest stops along the way, but we finally made it to registration at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel.

Johnny, Terri, and Me
Registration

With my nieces Kendra and Kayla
Enjoying a fresh Montreal Bagel

Now these are fresh Bagels!

We went from registration to the apartment we had rented in The Plateau near Mont Royal.  I will never stay in a hotel again while on vacation in Montreal.  It was a great experience living in the area, easily enjoying the many local restaurants, bagel shops, bakeries, and breweries. We lived in the neighbourhood with the locals, watched a movie being filmed down the street, and helped my Dad use public transit for the first time. By the end of the week, Dad and Pat were pros at using the bus and riding the metro, and I learned where I get my ability to strike up a conversation with complete strangers....Dad.

Johnny, Dad, Pat, Me, Kendra
at the Metro 

Photo bombed!!

We enjoyed a great night out on Rue St. Laurent, dinner and a bit of shopping (I bought a dress that I saw in one of the shop windows).  We were photo bombed, and also saw some amazing metal sculptures in an army surplus store.

Me and Metal Captain Jack

At the pool I watched many old and new friends perform amazing times, shared in the excitement of their swims and built stronger friendships with some.  Special mention goes to Sarah Armstrong, whom I compete with all year, who kicked some butt and did best times in all her events, beating her short course times and coming home with a top 10 medal in the 200m breast!  Also to Andrew Cole, who in a few short weeks took almost 14 seconds off his time in the 100m breaststroke.  My sister, Terri MacDougall, reached her goal and came home with 3 top 10 finishes, and my brother, Johnny  Hewerdine, who put in some great times to move himself up the rankings and finished top 20 in his 100m butterfly.

Greg Streppel, Me, Mike West
Between us we brought home 12  silver and bronze medals.

Before Worlds I was worried about some of my competitors.  I was intimidated by their successes.  While at the meet I discovered that they were all wonderful, amazing women, with normal lives just like me.  I met Wenke Seider and her family on the metro.  She was friendly and offered great advice on training and workout tips.  Claudia Poll brought her daughter along to watch her swim, and I thoroughly enjoyed spending some time with Lisa Blackburn.  I wish Nicola Latty lived closer to me as I'd like to spend more time with her, she is very funny.  My new Facebook friend Sarah Fisher and I met in person right before the 100m butterfly.  She has an amazing story and has accomplished so much in her life, I find her to be an inspiration.

So that's it.  The event is done.  Now what?  

For me, I will continue in Masters Swimming, you may even see me racing at Worlds when I'm 79, however I'm also taking on a new endeavour for the coming year.  I've always wanted to race in a few triathlons; the first one is August 30...

WORLDS, Part 1--My RACE EXPERIENCE

This past week provided me with life experiences that I will forever be grateful for.  I swam to the best of my current ability and successfully walked away with 3 silver medals, 2 bronze medals, and 4 Canadian Records from the 15th FINA World Masters Championships. 

 I watched some incredible swims from all different age categories and met  swimming legends, Olympic competitors,  World and Olympic Medallists, and amazing people from many different countries.   I reunited with old friends, made new ones, and shared this experience with my current friends and family.

 Writing this blog has been a difficult task.  There were so many facets to the week in Montreal that I would like to cover but wasn't sure how to begin.  The people, the city, the racing, the many lessons learned, where do I start?  So I will do a short series on Montreal and start with  a review of my racing.

Before going to Worlds, I felt like I was going to have a panic attack.  My anxiety over whom I would be competing against was becoming a bit overwhelming.  I managed to keep it in check and followed the advice, for the most part, of my coaches. The advice being, "don't worry about what the others are doing in their lane and just swim your own race."  Often easier said than done.

Day One- The 100m Freestyle was a great way to start the meet, no pressure on myself to win a medal in that event.  It was purely to get the jitters out!  Erika Braun and Claudia Poll finished 1,2 and I squeaked in a surprise 3rd! I had reached my goal on day ONE.  I would be coming home with a top 3 finish. However reaching the goal on day one just pushed me to make new goals! Now I wanted to come home with more medals!  

400m IM World Champion Lisa Blackburn Bermuda,
Silver Sheila Treleaven, CAN
Bronze Valeria Vergani, Italy

Day Two - The 400 IM.  The first time I had swum that event, Long Course, in the past 16 years.  I was very nervous...and it was very painful.  Bermuda, and former Canadian swimmer, Lisa Blackburn won and I pulled in for silver.  Now that I had raced all of the women I'd been so nervous about competing against, before Worlds, I felt much better about where I could place in my next 3 races.  Perhaps a gold would be in the cards.

Day Three -The 200m IM brought a bronze, with only 0.5 seconds separating Champion Lisa Blackburn, silver medallist, Claudia Poll, and myself.  Two hours later a silver medal, behind Champion Erika Braun in the 100m Butterfly,  0.5 seconds separating the touch. Check out my races from Worlds.  Women's 40-44 100m Butterfly  Women's 40-44 100m Freestyle

200m Butterfly World Champion Nicola Latty, GBR
Silver Sheila Treleaven, CAN
Bronze Carmelle Guidi, CAN

Day 5- The last day of my swimming. The 200m Butterfly was on the schedule. This was also my last chance for a Gold.   The first 100 metres was perfect, long, easy, good pace, leading by 2 seconds. What else could a girl ask for?  The 3rd 50 metres, I tried to pick up my speed, which was an error on my part, I tightened up.  When I hit the wall to start the last 50 metres and saw Great Britain's Nicola Latty not far behind, I knew I was done.  I had watched her race throughout the week and knew she could finish very well!  My shoulder's tightened up and I was just working to make it to the end.  Nicola won with an amazing last 50 metres, I was second, and fellow Canadian Carmelle Guidi came in  for a  strong bronze.

I did NOT get a Gold.  I DID reach and surpass my original goals set for this competition.  I am very proud of my results.  I could not have raced a more competitive and accomplished group of women anywhere else, and I wouldn't trade this experience for any other.  

Next Up- My People Experience.