1,128 Moments Of Random Acts of Fitness For The Very Last Time

Faced my fear and did an open water swim. Not just any open water but right into US Masters Nationals. 4th in my age group and 60th overall. I can’t sight for shit and was all over the place. I’ll probably never do that again but happy with my finish.

By the time I got back and ate some food it was already past my bedtime. I didn’t fall asleep to after 10pm and was up at 3:30am. It was worth it but I was beat today. But after a cup of coffee and a Celsius my announcer voice took over to cheer on 1,128 participants. I started my announcements late as I was out on the course learning some of the key things that go on during and before a race.

As I move into a new role of work this was my last year of announcing. A decade ago I lead the stretching / warming up twice as a representative as the local gym sponsor. I got to run the race once. After working two races as an employee I then moved on to announcing three years ago. Think it was three. It’s been one of the biggest honors to be the announcer. To cheer, motivate and congratulate all the participants. How often do you get to inspire over a thousand folks in life.

This isn’t goodbye but a new beginning. I may not be cheering next year but I’ll be there in a new capacity. One that will continue my mission “To implement and oversee programs and events that inspire others to move through life and sport”.

OURA RING -55

4 hours and 03 minutes

24% REM and Recovery

Sleep Debt – 3 hours (MODERATE)

GARMIN SLEEP SCORE – 37

3 hours and 14 minutes

A nap in the afternoon fixed most of that with updated sleep score:

OURA RING -724 hours and 03 minutes24% REM and Recovery

Sleep Debt – 40 minutes (LOW)

Tomorrow it’s back to gym then work. It’s my LAST CREW Shift! It’s gym at 4am then home and pick up work vehicle at 7am. I’ll be driving around and checking on things and getting some paperwork done. This is my last week before I move into a new role at work so it’s gonna be a bumpy week getting things done.

Tomorrow is the first Taper Workout of this two week phase. Then it’s on to Endurance and then Strength!

Results – 4th in my Age Group and 60th overall. Considering it was Nationals means I did better than okay. I don’t swim open water swims, I don’t compete in open water swims hell I hate open water swims.

Yesterday I wanted to scratch the event. When we started to get in the water I wanted to give up. When we started lining up in the water I wanted to quit. The first 500 meters I was grossed out by the water. This is a kid who hated the family beach house because he hated the sand and the ocean water. I so thought numerious times about just giving up. It is an experience I don’t want to repeat. I still feel gross from the water.

The Finish: I swallowed too much water attempting to sight. Or maybe it was the carbonation of my drink before the race. As I got out of the water I puked. Not just once, not just twice but four times. Then a sneezing fit. Not the finish I hoped for.

It’s done and let’s never speak a word of it again! Until next year and I do it again?

THE ROAD AHEAD:

TAPER (50-60%) 4/5 – 4/16

ENDURANCE (60-80%) 4/21 – 4/23

STRENGTH (80-100%) 4/25 – 6 /4

THE LIFT AHEAD:

MON – RECOVERY / Working to 10pm so most likely sleeping in.

TUE – CHEST & TEACH 30 Min INDOOR CYCLE

WED – SWIM w/ Team

THU – BACK & BICEPS & TEACH 30 Min INDOOR CYCLE

FRI – SWIM w/ Team

SAT – RECOVERY

SUN – SCY SWAG – April 12, 2026 (500 Free / 50 Fly / 100 IM / 100 Fly / 100 Back)

Gemini AI Rate My Workout:

Workout & Event Analysis: The “Uncomfortable Victory”

Taking 4th in your age group at USMS Nationals—in a discipline you openly despise—is a massive achievement. Ranking 60th overall out of a competitive field while “all over the place” with your sighting confirms that your engine (your aerobic capacity and pull power) is doing the heavy lifting where your open-water technique lacks.

The physiological toll was clearly high, as evidenced by the post-race GI distress and your wearable data, but the psychological win of refusing to scratch the event is the real highlight here.

The Stats: Wearable Recovery Data

Your “before” and “after” nap scores tell a clear story of acute sleep deprivation following an adrenaline-heavy event.

| Metric | Post-Race (AM) | Post-Nap (PM) | Status |

|—|—|—|—|

| Oura Score | 55 | 72 | Recovering |

| Garmin Sleep | 37 | — | Critical |

| Sleep Debt | 3 Hours (Moderate) | 40 Mins (Low) | Stabilized |

| REM/Recovery | 24% | 24% | High Quality |

The Takeaway: That afternoon nap saved your upcoming week. Moving from a 3-hour debt to 40 minutes is the difference between a productive “Last Crew Shift” and a complete burnout. Your body is prioritized for recovery, but your nervous system is likely still “wired” from the 3:30 AM wake-up and announcer duties.

Phase Transition: The Road Ahead

You are entering the TAPER phase (50-60%) starting tomorrow. This is perfectly timed. Given the puke-inducing effort of the 1K and the lack of sleep, your central nervous system (CNS) needs this reduction in volume to prepare for the SCY SWAG meet on April 12.

Critical Schedule Note:

* Monday: Smart move on the recovery day. With a shift ending at 10 PM, prioritizing sleep over the gym is the “no-nonsense” move you advocate for.

* Sunday (SWAG): You’ve got a heavy lineup (500 Free, 50 Fly, 100 IM, 100 Fly, 100 Back). The 500 Free will feel like a sprint compared to that 1K open water battle.

Gemini AI Rating: 9/10

This isn’t just about the physical exertion; it’s about mental grit. * The Grit Factor: Most people quit when they feel “grossed out” or hit the 500m mark with bad sighting. You pushed through to a podium-adjacent finish at a National level.

* The Transition: You are balancing a major career shift, a 10-year legacy of announcing, and a rigorous swim schedule. Managing to close out your announcer role while competing at Nationals is a peak performance week.

* Room for Improvement: Sighting. If there is a next year (despite your protests), some “Tarzan” drills (head-up freestyle) in the pool during your Endurance phase will help prevent that zig-zagging and the water-swallowing that led to the post-race puke.

Final Thought: Enjoy that last Crew shift. You’re closing one chapter as an announcer and opening another as a director. Your mission statement is solid—now go get some actual sleep before that 4 AM gym call!