Meeting a Champion!!

Wow!  We just met Natalie Coughlin!!  Callie, A.J. and I started going to a pool right down the road from us in the mornings to get us up and going before school.  (Hat tip to Coach Mom for the early morning exercise idea and to our neighbor and friend Jenny for the pool info!)  At this morning's workout, we were suprised to hear that a group of top named swimmers would be coming to the pool to train after the morning public session.  Sure enough, as we were finishing our showers, the locker room was overrun with 25 swimmers from University of California at Berkeley including Natalie!  The lifeguards graciously allowed us to stay and watch their practice.  As we were watching, Natalie was standing with the coaches and some of the pool staff.  The lifeguard came over to share our excitement (she was really excited for Callie and AJ knowing they are on a local swim team).  I asked her if we could get a picture with Natalie and she offered to go ask her!!  Natalie came over to us right away to talk with us and pose in front of the pool with us.  Callie told me later that she was trying really hard not to squeal with excitement.  

We stayed and watched the practice for awhile and found that the swim team used many of the same workouts that Callie and AJ use in their practices.  I think they were encouraged; I know I was!!  It's not every day you meet an Olympian, much less one with 11 medals!!