June 29, 2007

I am sitting here in beautiful San Jose, CA at the Santa Clara Invitational and just came across something that I had to share with you all. Normally I haven't updated during a meet, but I have some free time and figured why not. On that note, my teammates from Harvard have gotten into the blogging game and it actually looks pretty impressive right now, check out www.crimswimdive.com and then also some of the stars of the team's blog: www.hmsdwolfepack.blogspot.com Great start for both of them and look forward to reading more in the future. Also impressed as when you're at swimming at Harvard there isn't a ton of free time so to take the effort to do something like that clearly takes some sacrifices.

Being truly part of a team is certainly one of the beautiful things that I will take out of my swimming experience when it is all done. I stayed with some of my Harvard teammates while seeing one of them, John Hastrup, get married in Boston. Right now I am staying with another, Eric Lynch, and his family during the Santa Clara Meet. Being an unsponsored athlete isn't the most glamorous thing in the world, and the support of my teammates (Harvard and Texas) certainly makes everything infinitely easier. As I don't say it enough: thank you.

Things here in Santa Clara are going very well. I just swam the 200 free and went a best time of 1:50.86 (smoked my best time of 1:52.07). I am really excited about this as I was still doing 10,000 meters/day on Monday and Tuesday. We have backed off in the weight room so that has made a big difference, but a lilttle over 4 weeks out from Nationals, this is very encouraging.

Actually, the funniest part about this swim is the suit I wore. I put on a Nike-leggings suit for the race and I had never worn Nike before. They're great suits but they have a silicon waist band instead of a string-tie. While putting it on I ripped the silicon, but not enough to warrant putting on another one...then right before the race I was doing one of the many stretches that the UT guys make fun of me for when I heard "rrrrrrrrrip" and was convinced that I had just put a huge hole in the (ahem) rear of the suit. Luckily I was informed by my buddy that it was only a strand and not a clean rip (phew). Reason number 889 why I am an idiot.

Wish me luck tomorrow! Results at: Santa Clara Website

June 27, 2007

Wow, so we took a serious turn at davidcromwell.net yesterday huh? Unknowingly, before I had just been giving you guys the "bright side of the road" speeches. I guess this site has gone from the attempt to make myself out better than I actually am to the real. I have to say, I feel good about the change. If you don't know what I'm talking about, just check out yesterday's entry.

Okay, now that rant is out of my system I can go on to sunnier subjects. Firstly, I am very much looking forward to swimming at Santa Clara this weekend. I hope my expectations aren't too high, but I really think that even though I did doubles this week that I will swim fast. I decided to put on a legskin for the weekend, so will have somewhat of an "instant shave" effect too. I have never been to the Santa Clara International Meet, but consensus is that it's one of the best around. Can't wait. Also, will get a chance to see some friends from school that I haven't in a while so that is a plus.

I'll put results up after the meet, but you can track all my results by clicking here: The Santa Clara Site. Am also remembering to bring my camera along so will have some pictures for all of you when I get back.

I heard that some of you aren't big fans of how the picture section is set up, so I will work on that when I get back. Always feel free to email me: david.cromwell@davidcromwell.net

Also, check out the "Set of the Week" to see what one of my teammates did.

Wish me Luck!

June 26, 2007

I think I am going to entitle this entry "The Novelty of Flying Has Certainly Worn Off and Other Sore Subjects."

Well friends, I had about the worst day of travel of my life this last Sunday. I had to work at the Academic Center (I open it up on Sundays) and so got an early flight from Boston (my good friend from college was married: congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Hastrup) to make it back in time. I left for the airport at 4am e.s.t. and my flight was delayed so I had to run to make my connection in Cincinnati. This is where it all starts falling apart. I left my suit (my only suit) on the plane because I was in such a hurry. Once on my plane to Austin I told the flight attendant and he said I didn't have enough time but that he would send a call in when we reached Austin.

Flash forward two and a half hours: we are still sitting on the runway. They give us an update every 45 minutes saying everything will be fine until at this point they tell us to deplane. I then go to the gate agent to ask about my suit and she says there is nothing I can do 'til I get to Austin.

Flash forward: at 9:30pm e.s.t. I finally make it into Austin, no suit. I have called the airline ever since and they say they don't have it.

This then transitions into a question: how much do you really want to know about the life of an unsponsored Olympic hopeful? I just realized over the weekend one thing: what I am doing is really hard. But let me focus that a little bit as I am not talking about the training and outside jobs. What I am talking about friends is the financial burden placed on someone like me. I am currently working four jobs in addition to swimming (Academic Mentor in the Athletic Department, Tutoring, Writing for TimedFinals.com, and trying to do as many Swim Clinics as I can). But to be honest, this actually isn't that hard. What is hard is that these are all part time jobs without benefits and actually not that high-paying. Rewarding? Extremelly. Do I want to be doing something else? Not really, I am always up for something new, but I love what I do right now.

So what is hard is struggling to pay bills while trying to swim at the high caliber meets I need to be in order to get better. I think that "USA" in "USA Swimming" actually stands for "U Should ApplyElseWhereForHelpBecauseWeDon'tCare" as they have consistently found ways to avoid helping me although I am currently ranked fourth in the country and 14th in the world in 200 back. To be honest that is the most frustrating part, the organization that is supposed to help me has found nothing but loopholes (you had to do this time by this date, etc.) to avoid doing so.

That said, I am the lucky one. I have a community behind me: thank you Beverage Choice and all my friends back home in Missoula for your support. But even more importantly: I have a family willing and able to help me. Let's get one thing straight, my family is not rich, but a regular middle class family (i.e. though helping me out is draining it is possible in the short term). On that note, USA Swimming is launching all these "outreach" programs, but how are you ever going to get more minorities into the sport and on to the Olympic Team when there is a complete economic bias ? Let's not forget that although African-Americans and Hispanics represent 12% and 10% of the population respectively they only represent 5% each of those with income over 100,000 dollars.

What's worse is that there is absolutely no transparency in the organization. No one knows how they are spending their money. I guess the only "clear" thing about it, is that it's not on post-collegiate athletes.

Phew, that felt good to get off my chest. Now moving on to more positive things. I am still training really well right now and will be competing in the Santa Clara Invite this weekend. I am really excited as I will get a chance to race 2/3 guys ahead of me in the US in the 200 back (maybe you've heard of them, Phelps and Lochte?). They are the stars and the guys I need to be racing more so I am very excited. Even though I am not resting for the meet I think I should be able to put up some pretty solid times. Wish me luck!

June 15, 2007

Alright, big news around camp davidcromwell.net here (insert self-depricating joke here). But anyway, I loaded up a bunch of new photos for the site and I think that you will all really enjoy them. Again, Vancouver, beautiful place and I can't wait to make it back there some time.

Swimming is continuing to chug along, and it's actually been nice because work has picked up as well. My main job these days in tutoring/mentoring in the University of Texas Athletic Department. For those of you that grew up with me, yes it definitely is a stretch but I would also say that it is some of the more rewarding work I have done in my life and love seeing all my students succeed (or when they succeed I guess). Training for the Olympic Trials without a major brand name sponsor is not the easiest thing to do in the world financially, so I am definitely glad to have more business as a tutor these days. Also, I prefer to be busy as I have a tendency to think too much when I'm not occupied.

On that note, I have also recently decided that I am going to go to law school after I am done swimming. I don't really have anymore definite plans than that, but I am pretty proud that I finally have some sort of vague four year plan. No, your congratulations are too kind.

Okay, hope this note finds you and finds you well (to quote Shawshank). Now, to go back to my roommates "jamming"...whether I want to or not.

June 10, 2007

Just wanted to let you know that I finally updated the pictures section, I only have one gallery up but at least it's something. Hope you enjoy!

Also, I just got back from Dallas for my friend Nate O'Brien's wedding to his perfect match Holly (formerly Ziemens). It was an absolute wonderful time and I can't wish them more luck and happiness.

June 7, 2007

First off I want to thank the good people at Beverage Choice for becoming my first Official Sponsor! I can't quite thank my parents and relatives in the same way, as bloodlines somehow make it less formal...but then again if anyone is family outside of my family it is the Tornatores, the brains behind Beverage Choice. If you enjoy good food and wine like me, you have to check them out at www.beveragechoice.com. The technology that they have come up with is absolutely baffling to me and I can't wait 'til more people have the chance to experience it.

On the other end of things...some people are starting to check this thing out and I am, tear, pretty proud. Thank you to anyone who may be coming to the site either accidentally (but particularly those who procrastinate here on purpose!). I just got back from the Mel Zajac Invitational and all in all I will call it a success. Caleb McDermot and I went there expecting to swim as slowly as we usually do at the SMU meet in Dallas the same weekend, and were pleasantly surprised. For everyone that has never been to the SMU meet, all I will say is that I have seen Olympians fail to break 2:00 in the 200 freestyle (this year's highlights included a 2:09 200 freestyle and a 2:35 200 backstroke). I was particularly pleased with my 50 backstroke (26.2) which I am told is a good time, as it was my first time swimming it. My 100 I would be exstatic about if I hadn't lost. I was 55.8 which is pretty insane for me right now considering that I lifted and swam really hard the day before I left, but still, it's hard to see past that when you lose to someone you know you can beat. In Vanilla Sky they say that the sweet isn't nearly as sweet without the bitter, so I guess I am in many ways being a "pleasure delayer" here by waiting to rest and kick some butt later on.

On another note, Vancouver has turned into one of my favorite cities in the world! If you haven't had a chance to go there I would highly recommend it. Where else in the world do you have people sunbathing on the beach and just 20 minutes away snowboarding on snow capped mountains? The city is almost as beautiful as its surroundings too, as it is meticulously landscaped and full of beautiful architecture. Even without the meet, it was great to get a little closer to home and see my parents. It's funny how a 10 hour drive to them is "so close" considering the previous closest meet I have had was a 20 plus hour effort by my dad to see me swim at Notre Dame a few years ago. What can I say? All the cities are pretty far apart in Montana.

Also got a chance to do a ton of reading while I was up there as I had a pretty hellish travel schedule. I read The Sun Also Rises (I'd been meaning to read Hemingway for a long time), and I must say it was even better than I expected. My parents gave me The Kite Runner, and I am almost done with that one too. I am looking for some new music right now though, so if you have any suggestions Shoot me an Email

May 29 2007

So this is my first attempt at creating a website of any kind, and I must say that this it has been every bit as challenging as I would have imagined. I would like to thank a lot of people for helping me out, but mainly my dear friend Bill Cocks. I will add this site to the long list of times he has saved me.

Okay, I must admit that I am doing this with a small amount of trepidation as I still feel somewhat mixed about putting my entire life on the web for you all to see. Fortunately, I don't expect this to make the front page of CNN.Com, so I am not as worried. But really, this project has been just as much for my own fulfillment as it has for any viewer that may come along. I've wanted to learn more about website design and maintenance and after winning my first two national championships this last month I thought I could finally rationalize the site (and time) to myself.

So, this site will tell you everything you ever wanted (or hadn't even thought of) about me. Where I'm from, what I do, what's important to me, how I go about my daily life and also why I put myself through the rigors I do. The site will be a work in progress so I appreciate your patience and support. Now, ENJOY!

Archives: May/June 2007, July/August 2007, September/October 2007, November/December 2007, January/February 2008, March/April 2008