“WIN”. What’s Important Now

So I know that Heather documented the very long drive back to Virginia but believe it or not I have my own version of how the trip unfolded.  It's funny how two people in the same car have such different perspectives on how things unfold.  By now I'm sure that everyone knows how this trip was to begin.  With Heather working on the computer in the lobby I ventured out to bring the car around but as I was placing things in the back I dropped the keys, shut the door to get in the front, but the door magically locked (on it's own).  There were my keys on the back seat and my very first thought was that this was a SIGN from above and in my mind the sign I read was, Tell her we can';t get in until Monday so you better get a ride to the airport.  Went back into the hotel and just informed her there is no hurry just keep doing your work.  Two hours later and $260 poorer (I got a receipt to turn into someone😜 )we finally got on the road.  The first disagreement went like this;

 We had 44 Mako swimmers travel down to St. Petersburg Florida last week for 4 days of some super fast and exciting races wrapping up Saturday night with a pizza/pool party at our hotel before we headed back to Virginia.  We were very fortunate to get 4 days of sunny  😎 weather for our stay in St. Pete’s.  Throughout the 4 days of the meet the heat was as sizzling 🌅 as the races in the pool. We started off the week with 3 great practices on Monday afternoon, Tuesday morning and Tuesday evening.  It was a great way to adjust to swimming outdoors, get stretched out and get used to the facility.  Our Tuesday morning practice was awesome as we had the whole pool to ourselves. During the prelims session on all 4 days our Mako swimmers arrived at the pool with a lot of enthusiasm and got right to work with their warmups after which they went back to our team area to enjoy the sunrise each morning.  We had a lot of awesome swims during our prelim session.  WEDNESDAY FINALS; Lyla Devlin 200

   Okay I am here to set the story straight about the van at least the way the story plays out in my head.   Upon walking back to the hotel in the sweltering heat🥵 running low on water from the 10 and under session on Saturday I am informed by a source who will remain anonymous that I had picked up the wrong van in the morning that belonged to another team who had to Uber over to the meet. Sorry that happened to them but I found it somewhat fascinating 🤨 and amusing at the same time. Here is why I felt like that I honestly had been driving the same van since Thursday when I picked it up for the final session at 4:00 pm and headed out with the kiddos.  I know it was the same van from that point because I never returned it back to the hotel valet, so I had the same key from then on until coach Heather took my key from my bag on Saturday afternoon to return the van. For those of you who are doubting as to am I senile or not let’s look at the time line here;  Thursday  5:30 am—  Coach Mi

  So what does swimming and the Wizard of Oz have in common you might be wondering other than we the coaches are surrounded by all these little swimmers. Dorthy first meets the Scarecrow in her travels and unlike the scarecrow, you all are not very scary at all.  Unlike the scarecrow who is seeking a brain all of you were born with one.  Swimmers all crave the smell of chlorine and the feel of sliding through the water with ease.  As a sportscaster once said " thrill of victory and the agony of defeat", whatever the results you always come back for more.  Why? It's called endorphins, the hormone that makes you feel happy and is nature's high and is the reason why swimming is so addictive.  These endorphins are especially released during your races.  Be smart let your brain take you to that mountain top. As Dorthy and the Scarecrow travel down the yellow brick road they come upon this old rusty Tin Man who only wants one thing, a ♥️.   Again how lucky each of you are