200 Freestyle

Wow, Michael Phelps is an amazing swimmer. He just won gold in the 200m Freestyle event and he did it shattering his world record and beating his competition by more than a body length (I don't know what the actual time was). I would look this up or link to something that tells you but that is not the point of the story. The 200m freestyle means a lot to me because of my time on the swim team in Junior High.
I joined the team because I loved swimming, still love swimming, and was decent at that particular sport. I however was and still am a sprinter swimming 50's, 100's, and relays. My personal best event was the 50 or 100 backstroke. I was such a sprinter that I trained exclusively for these shorter events. Overall I was successful finishing in the top three most of the time, including a couple 1st place finishes in relay races, one of which I swam butterfly, and the other, freestyle and anchor. It is fair to say I was a good swimmer and the only reason I didn't go on with this sport was turns. I am terrible at turns. Enough about that, I like talking about things I'm good at.
In eighth grade I went to the swimming meet signed up for (4X50) freestyle anchor in a relay, and 50m backstroke. I was confidant I could compete in all events and happy with the plans but my coach had different plans. He didn't take either event away, he added an event the morning of the meet. Here is the conversation in general:

"Hey Kyle, Geoff is not able to be here today so his spot is open in the 200m freestyle event, why don't you take it."

"200m freestyle? I haven't swam that far before."

"I know, but you've swam 100m thats only four more laps (25m pool), you can do it."

"Ok, I'm in."

Well that had me nervous. Suddenly I was swimming the 200m freestyle in a competition having never swam more than 100m. My first event, the relay, went fine resulting in second place. My second event was the 200m freestyle:

I setup in the middle lane between the other two swimmers and waited for the start.
BANG
And we were off..........

After 50m (2 laps) - I was even with my competitors swimming strong and ready for a charge.

Halfway (4 laps) - Half way done and I swam strong, the race was competitive and any one of us was setup to win in the second half.

After 6 laps - The race is still close between the top two performers, the suspense was great and the cheers were loud from all the parents, grandparents, teachers, and workers.

The Finish - The race is done, the winner is decided, and the cheers are loud but wait the race isn't done. The third swimmer still has two laps to go. Yes you guessed that swimmer was me.

All alone in the middle lane of the pool. Tired, drained, sinking, oh wait lift arm, lift other arm, remember to kick, but I'm tired, I have to finish everyone is cheering for me.
"Go Kyle! Only One lap to go! You can do it come on!" -Coach
"Go Kyle! You can do it, don't give up! - Teammates
"And the crowd goes wild!" - Crowd

Must finish, I will do it.....halfway there.....keep swimming.......lift...lift.....kick....lift....kick....lift......grab wall......FINISHED, THIRD PLACE! I DID IT!

That was an amazing experience that I will never forget. The crowd and the coaches cheer when you win but there is something different about the cheering I received. Everyone was cheering for one man, me, to finish the race. I got more applause than anyone the entire day and that feels absolutely amazing and is indescribable. I finished the day with a second place in the 50m backstroke and yes sometimes I wonder if I would have won that final race had I not swam the 200 but in the end I wouldn't trade my 2nd and 3rd place finishes for just one first place backstroke.

The memories just wouldn't be the same.