The day started early, waking at 5:30 a.m. to assure a healthy, race-day breakfast. Left the condo at 7:00 a.m. for the "Dolly Parton" (the swimming pool covered by two, giant bubbles, which look like...well, you get the picture.) In the water at 7:30 a.m. for warm-up, mingling with the other swimmers and sizing up the competition. The energy in the pool rising and the nerves building as the clock ticks ever closer to 8:00 a.m.
7:55 a.m., a woman who swam for the U.S. Olympic Sychronized Swim Team in the Tokyo Olympics back in the '60's, opens the events with a solo sychronized swim tribute to America. Inspiring.
8:00 a.m. It's GO TIME!
Grandma is assigned to lane five. There are a total of six women in her age group. Stacie and Kate are at the opposite end of the pool with a five-foot banner that says "Go Grandma!" Grandpa is sitting on the front row of the stands, waving to grandma. Jeri, Fred, Kathy, Rick and Will are ready with the cameras. A few of Grandma's friends and neighbors, who came down from Salt Lake to support Grandma, are sitting with Grandpa. Trish walks Grandma to her lane.
Grandma eases into the water when the whistle blows. (One of the ladies is actually ON the starting blocks to dive in! Remember, these swimmers are all 80-86 years old.) The buzzer goes and the swimmers are off! Grandma keeps a steady, second place pace for the first fifty. The second fifty, two women are creeping up on her, but she's still going strong. One of the women passes Grandma. The last five yards, it's neck and neck for third place between Grandma and the swimmer next to her. And the final touch..........OH! The other lady out reaches Grandma and takes third place by .20 seconds! Tough Luck, but there are more races to come!!!! We are so proud of our valiant Grandma!
