"The Dive" 3/31/91


Why is it, I hate to be told I'm next? My heart starts to race faster whenever Coach yells at me. I have to tell myself, "Calm Down!". Relax and take a deep breath. I have done this a million times before. There is no other sensation you can experience. like the thrill of a springboard twelve feet in the air. It is definitely a natural high!

The worse thing is climbing these steps! They seem to be never ending as my feet tries not to stick on them. But I always wonder, what type of people had ventured this unending journey? Hopefully, no one with athlete's foot or some other contagious feet disease. I guess I have this foot fettish since I wish my feet were bigger like my friends. They tease me about my "baby feet"

I wish there is an elevator! These steps can be a killer! I am usually tired by the time I reach the platform. It is even worse asfter a couple climbs as I usually end up breaking into a sweat all over my body. Usually after lessons, I am starving! I burn up endless energy for coach during practice. At least, I am not his star pupil but he does think I have potential.

Oh good! I made it up without any major disaster like falling. Besides, it was not too slippery except for these bars. Now for the short walk off this rather wide platform. Here I go again, my heart starts to pump faster and faster as I get closer to the end. I try to take deep breaths to calm myself but it doesn't seem to work. I must love to worry because I fear one of these days I am going to have an anxiety attack with the pressure I put on myself.

I have this tendency to worry about everything. I used to worry about mom after dad died in a car accident. Especially, when I used to hear mom cry at night before she fell asleep. I prayed for mom to pick herself up and go on living. She finally did! I'm really glad she found Kevin. Kevin is super! Besides he loves us both but mom the most. I hope their wedding goes off without any incidents. Mom and Kevin deserve to be happy but I can not help wondering how long it will last.

I hate this jump the most! This is the backwards, double somersault with a twist before hitting the water. In order to perform this jump correctly, I must have enough height before I attempt the somersaults. If I don't, I won't have enough room before entry for the twist.

Concentrate, Blaine! One, two, three and here we go into the air. One somersault then the second. Good! Now for the twist. Remember to straighten your body or else you will cause a big splash. Tighten up for the entry. Legs straight out. Toes pointed. Deeep breath! Nice clean entry. Not too much water! Yes, my feet touch the bottom and now I can push up and come up for air.

What a relief! Another jump completed without incident.