Day 5
Monday 28th July 2014
Today would be my final day in Glasgow at the 2014 Commonwealth Games before dashing back down into England to compete in Sheffield at the 2014 ASA National Age Group Swimming Championships. My final event in Glasgow was the 50m Backstroke. Swimming in Heat 3 of 5, in lane number 7, I honestly didn't expect to get any further in the competition than the heats. However, after a really strong swim in my heat, Incredibly I finished 5th in a new personal best time of 31.03 just qualifying for the semi finals, 16th fastest overall.
At the end of the session, my mum and dad managed to grab a few minutes with me at the spectators side of the pool, along with one of my mums old swimming friends, Jackie who now lives in Glasgow. They all told me what a great swim I'd had and they were absolutely gutted as they didn't have any tickets to watch me in the Semi Finals later that evening.
After a long day, and my mum and dad trying every possibility to get tickets to watch me, they finally managed to get 1 ticket for the semi finals. My mum was the lucky parent who managed to stop and watch me, whilst my dad and brother found their way back to their 'pod' to pack up ready to leave first thing the following morning.
I was actually really excited to compete in the semi-final. When it was my turn to be introduced to the crowd, I gave the biggest smile and wave I could to the cameras, I felt totally relaxed and knew that I just had to give it all I had. I finished 8th in my Semi final and maintained my 16th position overall.
I can honestly say that I have had the best experience ever at these Commonwealth Games, I have thoroughly enjoyed competing against the best swimmers in the Commonwealth, I just hope that I can now go to Sheffield and get some good results before I return to Glasgow on Sunday for the Closing Ceremony!
