It’s finally the morning of the 4 x 100 free relay. I find myself staring in the mirror moments before I leave for the meet and an odd feeling comes over me. I feel my stomach turn. I begin to feel sick. I have felt this before, right before the 4×100 relay in Victoria for Pan Pacifics. Alright time to muscle this out, I pick up my bag and walk to the buses to go to the pool.

At the pool, wow, I feel a little like a rock star as I walk in. Mainly because of all the security checkpoints we have to go through. Australians love their swimming and this is a new feeling. Warming up turns out to be a little rough. There are so many people in the warm up/down pool. 1,200 athletes at one meet can get pretty overpopulated. I jump in the water with the plan to warm up and get ready, OH MY GOD! The water is freezing … I look up at the coaches with what I’m sure looked like a look or sheer horror. My coach looks at me with a smile on his face.

“Oh did I not mention they have been having problems with the temperature, it’s 76.” I shove my head under water and left my choice words I had for my coach in bubble form.

As the meet continues Garret Weber Gale, Ben Wildman, Neil Walker and I are getting ready in the ready rooms. I say my prayer and get ready to take the stage. We walk out and it seems like a scene from the movie Gladiator. As Maximus walks out, the Roman coliseum roars in excitement (If you haven’t seen the movie, I recommend it.) We walk to our lane. The bright lights are blinding and my hands are sweating in anticipation. The race begins. Garret swims a great leg, Next is Ben, OK, we are in good position, let’s go. I dive in and break out. OK,seems like I had a good start, Lets go GO. My first 50 seems effortless, “yes there is the wall and flip!” I scream to myself. Good flip, my right hand comes out as it always does to break the surface.

As my head approaches the surface, I feel the waves from the other swimmers hit me in the face. Wow this pool is wavy, “I’ve gotta get up and go.” I break out again and try and hold the lead. Come on, come on, something feels different though. My energy is dropping. I’m feeling so tired, I do not feel like I have control of my legs anymore. I have to make it to the wall. Alright in the red “Hold your breath Cullen, FINISH!” I hit the wall … best feeling in the world. I try with all my might to get out of the pool on the side. Neil finishes well and we win our heat. 3rd for tonight. That’s great lane placement. I get through talking with the media and walk to the warm down pool. I’m approached by the head coach,, Bob and he says you don’t look to good, when was the last time you ate?” I think about and respond, “Breakfast and I had a Powerbar before I got here.”

Eddie Reese looks over at me and says 200 calories — that isn’t good enough, that’s why your so tired and drained it’s 2:50 p.m. Bob looks at me and says, “Get some food in you, we need you for tonight, Don’t let me down. You are gonna need to go faster than that.” I nodded and walk to the warm down pool thankful I would have another chance to have a better time.

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