As I mentioned the other day, Michael Phelps was swimming at the Naval Academy this weekend — as in, within walking distance of our apartment. So of course we had to go see him swim at least one event.

As we walked into Lejeune Hall, we ran into some of our neighbors, who pointed out Phelps warming up. We were too late to see him swim the men’s 200 freestyle, but we did manage to get there in time to find a seat and watch some kids swim before the men’s 200 individual medley.

Phelps is training for the London Olympics, but he plans to retire after that, so he said this was the last short-course race of his career. (His mom and sister got to time his last race of the meet — the 100 free — but we weren’t there for that, sadly).

O.M.G.

As you might imagine, he was kind of fast.

He won with a time of 1:43:85, according to this article in Swimming World. Not a world record, but a pretty solid win nonetheless. Of course, Phelps tweeted on Saturday that he wasn’t happy with his swims so far. Then he swam a lifetime best in the 200 backstroke on Sunday. Awesome.

Three semi-related observations:
1. I would like Ryan Lochte a lot more if he wasn’t a Gator.
2. I probably should have had my brother introduce me to his high school friend Peter Vanderkaay.
3. Michael Phelps should, at all times, keep his shirt off and his swim cap on.