Saturday, December 6, 2008

A Double Dose of Zipper Problems

As I was putting my suit on last night before the 200 free a guy came up to me and started to talk to me. I had no idea who he was but he was friendly so I chatted with him for a couple minutes. He told me how it was too bad that my zipper broke in the morning. I agreed and then proceeded to ask him to zipper my suit up. Once the zipper got about half-way up, it broke. He was like, "uh-oh, I think I just broke your suit..." I was stunned. I asked one of my teammates Dale to come over and take a look at it. They both tried to move the zipper and it was not going anywhere. I have to say I was pissed. Breaking once was a pain...this time I was simply mad. Not to mention, this was a brand new suit. The guy felt really bad, I told him not too worry, it wasn't his fault. All the while the kids who were volunteering at the meet were taking pictures of me putting my suit on with their camera phones. They think they're being sneaky but they're not at all cause they kept looking at me and laughing as they took my picture hahaha kids.

I went up to the blocks and people told me my suit was broken. I just thought to myself, "Uummmm yeah of course it is". As I was waiting for the starter to call us up to the block, my heart was definitely moving faster than it normally would. I just told myself I was going to win the heat and go faster than I did in the morning. This was like a man challenge...I could either be a little wimp and let this stupid zipper get the best of me...or I could pound this race and prove to myself that I can beat the tests put in front of me. In addition...the majority of my heat was younger than me so I really had to man up and pop something good off.

The gun fired and I dove into the water. In reality, there was actually less drag with the zipper half-way up than completely open. I wasn't sure how this would feel but it wasn't quite as bad as in the morning. I was out pretty fast at the 50. I went into the race wanting to build every 50 and make a consistent increase in my effort through every 50. I have difficulty holding back on the first 50 of 200's, partly because I get pretty excited. I was first to the 50 and the 100. The guy in the lane next to me beat me to the 150. At this point I flipped the switch on my legs and motored home. I won the heat and went 1:36.89, this is faster than I went in the morning. Once again I went at least in the range I had set out to do so I was satisfied.

Without a broken zipper I think I could have gone 1:35...oh well. I'm still happy with the time. Although this time isn't anything spectacular in comparison to what other swimmers are going in the country, it's good for me and that's all that matters. I can't impress enough upon all of you that it doesn't matter what everyone else is going. Compare yourself to what you've done in the past. As long as YOU are getting better than YOU were before...everything is all good.

As Eric, Dale and I walked out of the pool last night a guy named Bart came up to me and started talking to me about the relay this summer. I met him the day before when he gave me a swim suit...yes I forgot to bring a Speedo to the swim meet:( Bart owns a swim shop. He told me the first day of the meet as well as last night that he literally watches that 400 free relay from Beijing everyday. The first time he told me this I couldn't help but laugh and not believe him. Last night he told me again and I could tell he was totally serious. Bart described how his business has been dramatically increased by the summer Olympics and people come in talking about that relay. It's really an honor to have people say this type of thing to me. I'm glad so many people enjoyed watching that race as well as the Olympics in general. I jokingly told him he needs to cut me a check for all the help I've given his business. Bart replied by saying, "are you kidding me, where do I send it!" hahaha it was really funny and we all laughed. This is really one of the best things about competing and traveling, meeting new and interesting people!

I got a voice message from Josh Davis last night...he said, "dude, great swim tonight...I think I need to let you borrow my suit after you let me borrow your cap haha...I just got your message from this-morning and I'm gunna save it for motivation...you ain't gunna spank me no more boy hahhahaha!" it was a hilarious message. I'm trying to figure out how I can get the sound byte up on the blog. Give me some time and I will hopefully figure it out.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's awful luck! :/

Glad you won though and met your time, that's the most important thing. At least you have a good philosophy about it!

Anonymous said...

You have a new opponent his name is Zipper and he is a sneaky thing.

Melanie L said...

Zipper-Gate!!

Garrett said...

It looks like I do have a new competitor haha...you're right

Anonymous said...

http://www.swimnetwork.com/videos/v/20081204/short_course_nationals___men_s_50yd_freestyle___b_final-15947.html

Thats the video link in case you guys want to watch the 50yd free.

Anonymous said...

http://www.swimnetwork.com/videos/v/20081205/2008_short_course_nationals___men_s_200yd_freestyle___c_final-15980.html

here is the 200 free love the talk about you.

Garrett said...

thanks a lot for posting those links! I'm definitely going to check them out...

Soly said...

Wardrobe malfunctions all around. lol.

Lauren Brent said...

That's great that you won, though... even with wardrobe malfunctions!!

Is the voice mail on your phone?? Because you should be able to do a simple router something or other to get it onto the computer... depending on the type of phone, a two way cable should do the trick. :)

I realize I don't know you - but having read about how you've done in this latest competition, I have to say I'm proud of you! You're doing great and really getting out there to prove yourself as a swimmer - it's great to read about it! :)

congratulations on winning! You deserve it! :)

As for the line at the beginning - "hahahaha kids." That CRACKED ME UP... don't know why.

Anonymous said...

I am definitely laughing...I am glad that you showed good sportsmenship..it's all about attitude...you don't need to impress others because it's mind of matter...the people matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter....good job on achieving ur time and congrats on the win even in the events of unluckyness.

Donna Binkholder said...

With GrandCentral, you can post voice messages to your blog. You can also create and place a WebCall button on your blog to allow your blog readers to send you voice messages.

To post voice messages to your blog, first you'll need to sign up for GrandCentral (for free). Then, just follow these steps:

1. Log in to GrandCentral and go to the Inbox tab.
2. Click the message you'd like to post.
3. In the voicemail player, click the Post tab.
4. Copy the HTML code provided.
5. Sign in to Blogger and edit the post where you'd like to add a voice message.
6. Click the Edit HTML tab, and paste the code provided by GrandCentral.
7. Publish your post as usual.

If you'd like to post messages you leave for yourself, you'll have to call your GrandCentral number from a phone that isn't associated with your GrandCentral account; otherwise, you'll be prompted with the GrandCentral main menu.

Donna Binkholder said...

o btw Garrett I just got a blogger and I am the Donna that has been on here...lol...just to let u know

Anonymous said...

Wow! What are the odds of having 2 zipper malfunctions? Despite the zipper issues it sounds like you had a good time and did very well! So, congrats!!

And I love what you said that it's not about how everyone else is doing it is how you are doing. I teach swim lessons, and every once in a while I will get really competitive kids who always say "I can do it better than he can!" Or something along those lines. And I always explain to them that they aren't here to beat the other kids, they are here to improve themselves.

Anyway, congrats again and thanks for sharing with us!

Sarah said...

Ok-since we are on the subject of wardrobe issues-I have a random question that I've wanted to ask since this summer-how come the swimmers' skin is really red around the suit after a race? Like around the shoulders and back? Does it have something to do with how tight they are? I just know that just about everyone looked red after a race and I had idea why. And yes-i know I am random-but I'm observant! : )

Mark Gale said...

Sarah: When Garrett set a national public high school record in the 100 freestyle (February, 2003) I remember noticing that his back was beet red when someone unzipped his suit. That time, I think it was pure blood flow. Yes, the suits are absurdly tight.

He can speak to the rest.

Donna: Thanks we will check out VM posting.

Nicole said...

My brother watches the relay almost everyday too. Whenever I fell sad or unmotivated I always go take a look at it!

Donna Binkholder said...

No problem glad to help!

Garrett said...

Wow thanks for the insight into putting voice messages on the blog. I would have had no idea how to do that. You just made my life a bunch easier!

I was amazed when Bart told me he watched the relay everyday...I basically couldn't believe it. I'm glad people can still draw inspiration from it.

The suits are very tight. Imagine if you whore really tight jeans or a tight hat...you would have a red mark when you took them off. This is also true for the suits. There is pressure on your skin from the suit and this causes the redness. The redness isn't bad, it's simply there. Some people think the suits can be uncomfortable because they're so tight...I personally like it tight because it keeps my body more in-line.

Donna Binkholder said...

I should be asleep, but can't sleep right now finishing up school things. Anyway, Your welcome computer geek is my life. I am glad to be of assistance and made your life easier now that's one less problem to worry about. If ya ever help with anything else regarding computers holla at me. Oh, if ya ever have any spare time could you check out my blogs. Imma go 2 bed have a good practice tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

If i were rephrasing "hahaha kids"... i would say "when people ask why i don't wanna have kids... this is the reason... i'd kill em!"

Mark Gale said...

Maybe the relay team could go on tour in 30 years from now, just like all the rock stars. Imagine the problems getting into their suits then!

Lauren Brent said...

"Imagine the problems getting into their suits then!"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Wow, that was funny! Props for Mark! HAHA

Garrett said...

I can assure you I won't be getting into an Lazers 30 years from now haha:)

Donna Binkholder said...

Never say never!!! You will be old by then...lol..

Garrett said...

true


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