Last Thursday, Hannah's swim teacher gave her a paper advertising the Swim Summer Olympics, which were being held today. I really thought nothing of it. Hannah is currently in the "pre-team" session of swim lessons where they perfect their skills and then are invited to join the swim team when they are ready.
Today at lessons Hannah's new coach, who happens to be the gentleman over the swim lessons at the Sports Academy, asks his students who was doing the Olympics. A couple of girls in Hannah's class raised their hands. The coach asked Hannah if she was doing the Olympics and she said no. He then told her that she really should. She's a good swimmer and she should talk to her mom about doing it.
We chatted a bit after lessons while she was playing outside in the pool with her sisters and a couple of friends from Mendon. I'm torn and undecided as to whether or not let her try. Dave came to the pool after work and so we had a few minutes to think about it and decided that we'd let her give it a go.
Being new to this whole swim team thing, we signed Hannah up to participate in four events. Hindsight says that maybe she should have signed up for two but hey it's a live and learn thing.
Hannah competed in the I.M. 100 meet first. In all honesty, I had no idea what this meant until I watched what they were doing. It's all four swim stokes (butterfly, back, breast and free style). So they do each stoke once across the pool, which translates into down and back twice.
She had quite a bit of a break and then competed in the breast stroke. Now let me just say that Hannah nor I have ever even watched a swim meet let alone participate in one. So it was a bit intimidating for Hannah to think about jumping in from the podium. I give her credit she stood her ground and was different and went in off the side, which they said was okay
Her third meet was the back stroke, which is one of Hannah's strong points. Once again, Dave and I were proud of her. She stood her ground and did an awesome job.
Her last heat was the freestyle in which she had to race in the second heat....with the boys. Once again there was the proud beaming parents on the side because Hannah held her own swimming against the boys.
For the I.M. 100 meet, Hannah walked away with the bronze medal. I think this one ended up being a bit harder than we thought and she was exhausted after the fact but pretty proud that she won a medal.
During the meet you could see the clouds coming in and bringing the rain storm. So they started running straight through the meets and then decided they'd give the awards afterwards instead of during/between runs. For the breast stroke and the back stroke both Dave and I were so proud of Hannah for giving it her all and she was just right behind another girl. They were pretty much neck to neck. However, for the back stroke, Hannah didn't know how to read the flags and ended up hitting her head. She didn't stop though. She kept going.
After all of the meets were done, they grilled hot dogs and had a little Bar B Que. Hannah wanted to get a hot dog and she deserved it so her and I stayed and Dave headed home. After eating, I suggested that we leave but Hannah wanted to stay and hear the names for the awards because what if she won another one. Well, me of little faith was totally fine with leaving because in watching the heats she came up just a millimeter short but we stayed to listen anyway.
Well, thank goodness we stayed to listen because Hannah also won the bronze medal for the back stroke. I'm sure we both looked a little shocked when they read her name. She walked up and the announcer told her that she could smile, which is hilarious because Hannah is really good at showing no emotion on her face.
As we left she looked at me and said, "Well mom,aren't you glad I suggested we stay?" Yes Hannah, that was awesome to see.
What great courage she has. Dave and I were sure proud parents standing off on the side watching her give it her all. Even if she had walked away without a medal I still would have been just as proud. Trying something for the very first time can be so intimidating and I know she wanted to give up after the first heat of 100 meters but she kept at it and walked away a winner.
Way to go Hannah!
