Ms. Fox goes to Regions

Elinor is one of my very favorite people on the planet-- and that is really saying something because I have a lot of favorite people.  And, she is one of my very favorites while being 15 going on 16-- an age group not always known for their pleasantness and ease of company.
This past Saturday she had regions for her high school swim season.  The team had been tapering (lowering yardage at workouts, getting plenty of sleep, eating healthy), and she was in good spirits.  Her goals were lofty, but not entirely unreasonable.

The night before she took out her braids and channeled her inner 80's chick.
Whatever it takes to relax.

Not the best pic, but you can see her-- the tall one on the blocks ready to swim her 200 yard freestyle.  Her fastest time to this race was a 2:23.76.
On Saturday she dropped over 3 seconds and got 2:19.29!!!

Her time starting out the season was 2:32.32, (over a 13 second drop) so she definitely improved in the 200 freestyle.

Next up was the 500 freestyle.  I won't keep you in suspense--- she KILLED this race.  She dropped more than 21 seconds!!!! WHAT THE HECK???? I was so, so happy for her!  Her previous best time was a 6:33.38 down to a 6:12.20.  

Her goal was a 6:18, which had she gotten that she would have been thrilled.  I don't think she even imagined a 6:12.  

In this picture she looks like she is behind, when in actuality she had lapped girls.

I was stunned.  When she finished she looked to be in disbelief herself.

It's been a great season and she has worked so hard.  One of the things I love best about swimming as a sport is that it is a team sport, but mostly it's about self-improvement.

And she has definitely improved.  I am so proud of her and her example to the rest of the family.

She has definitely inspired at least one younger sibling to take to the pool and join swim team.

Next up:  WATER POLO!!!!!!

Kind of a super cool and super cheesy picture all at the same time.  I like it.  

A shout out to the incredible Riverton coaching staff.  

Oh, and Riverton boys and girls won back to back regions:)