Training, house projects, and getting ready for summer
It has been a relatively slow few months for me with lots of training and one competition. I've taken this time to get some projects done around the house and catch up on work. With summer now around the corner, I've been spending some more time outside and enjoying the weather. I had originally planned to do a training trip during womens and mens NCAAs, but that did not materialize. Instead, I had a short visit home to MN after Westmont and a staycation in Missouri. I have a good block of training before the Mare Nostrum tour in late May, and I enjoyed the last few weeks of less travel. Let me tell you what I've been up to.
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What’s Happening?
Mission Viejo Training Trip
While Mizzou was at the SEC Championships in mid-February, my training partner (Grant Bochenski), and I went to Mission Viejo, CA. I have done this a handful of times and always love training with the Nadadores and seeing family in the area. The weather did not cooperate as it was rainy and cool... and the pool is outdoors. It is a bit tougher taking the layers off and getting into the pool when the weather is like that! We did get one day of sun during the trip which made it worthwhile.
Westmont Pro Swim Series
Shortly after the training trip, it was time for my second competition of 2026. The Westmont Pro Swim Series ran from March 4th to 7th. I am planning on swimming the 100m freestyle more this season and got the chance to race it on day 1. I swam 50.35 in the morning and 50.51 at night to place 15th in the semifinals. I was hoping to get under 50, but these times were still respectable. The next day I swam the 200m butterfly, my signature event. I shaved nearly a second off my time from January with a 1:59.85 in prelims. I went slower at night and dropped to 7th place. It was nice trending in the right direction from the Austin Pro Swim Series, but highly frustrating to go slower in finals and miss out on prize money. It took a 1:58.18 to earn money and that is a time I am usually capable of going. On the third day I raced the 100m butterfly and did not have a great morning swim with a 54.27. I snuck into the semifinals and dropped down to 53.71, placing 12th. That time is about a second slower than I went in Austin, which didn't make any sense to me. Sometimes you are just more primed for certain events. On the final day I swam the 50m freestyle in the morning and had a poor start which carried me to a lowly 23.68. I came away from the meet with mixed feelings, but this helped keep me motivated going into an intense stretch of training.
Houndmouth at the Blue Note
On a random Tuesday night, Houndmouth was playing at a local theater in Columbia, MO. I like a few of their songs, so I decided to go to the show. When I went to buy tickets, someone walking in said they had extras, so I got in for free! It was a fun show and I'm glad I decided to go on a whim.
Projects Around the House
During this stretch of time without traveling, I have wrapped up some projects around the house with Audrey. Some of these projects include: making a small stone firepit, repainting a firewood holder, sanding/restaining dog bowl holders, hanging decorations and photos and assembling patio furniture. I also changed the cabin and engine filters on one of our cars... pretty serious stuff.
Looking Ahead
Ohio LSC Clinic
April 25th and 26th I will be hosting a clinic with the Ohio LSC
Mare Nostrum
May 23rd-28th I will be competing at the Monaco and Canet stops of the Mare Nostrum tour. Direct Travel will be covering my flights out there, so huge shoutout to them for their support.
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