Saturday morning update

Enjoyed another great session on deck. Unbelievably for the first time at this meet my shoes were soaked. And it's the one day I didn't bring an extra pair of socks. Being off tonight really threw off my thinking process!


Swim officials have learned something about drying wet shoes. Newspaper works best. In fact, strips of newspaper work even better. I'm not sure what we'll do when newsprint goes away completely.


Here are a few more photos from today, trying to give you some different views from around and under the pool area.


It takes an army of young girls and boys to keep things moving. They are separated into teams who carry small laundry baskets up and down the steps filled with clothes, shoes, ipods, headphones, etc...from the competitors in the water. This morning during the Men's 50 Free, they were running underneath to have things ready when the heats finished, then running back for the next round.

This photo mosaic is in the Aquazone filled with photos submitted by people around the country. John Raker is in the center photo on the right, on the starting blocks - he is the second one in in the white cap. He's also a lot smaller than he is now. In the big picture it's located around the middle of the "s" in "swimming" then along the blue line in the logo.

This is the view from the main stairs leading to the pool deck on the start end by lane 9.

 Nathan Adrian's signature - winner of the 100 free.

Friday evening update

Another great night at Trials. The men's 200 IM Saturday night is going to be blazing. Don't miss it! I had such a great day!


Saturday assignments: Morning prelims - Start end, lane 8; Evening finals - OFF


Several officials asked about the possibility of a chapel for officials on Sunday morning. So I've arranged for some space and we'll make the announcement tomorrow morning. I'm kind of excited about sharing some things since I'm a month into the Sabbatical and haven't taught or spoken to a group in that time! I've got so much to share and 15 minutes to do it!!! Pray for me that I can keep it short and to the point.

Some views from Trials

The Aquazone is billed as 100,000 sq. feet of fun for fans. And it is! It's been a great place to buy stuff (since none of the shirts we received say anything about Trials - go figure), see stuff and just enjoy some of the lighter side of swimming. Long lines for autographs, displays of Olympic medals throughout the last 100 years, try your skills in riding "the shark" and sign up to win a BMW (can I pray for that one!!).

 Laneline flag

You'll notice that Michael's feet aren't

totally on the ground!!

There are four stairwells, one on each corner of the pool. This is the view from lane 9 @ the turn end.

This is the Omega microphone starter's use. It's been around for a little while but there's 

quite a conversation about how to hold it - whether to use two hands or one - whether to 

use one hand and one thumb on each button or two fingers or two thumbs. Most of it depends on how big your hands are. What it for sure is every starter needs to know how to 

use just one hand when there is a hearing impaired swimmer (as we have here), 

freeing the other arm for visual signals. 

 This is behind the lane 9 start end corner. The top two in each finals are

asked to sign it. A few of the signatures are below: Eric Shanteau (100 Breast - a cancer survivor) - Michael Phelps - Ryan Lochte - Missy Franklin

THE BEST Moment of Trials

Great prelims this morning in lane 4. Standing within inches of Lochte, Phelps & Soni,  I couldn't look at them although I thought about leaning over to bump shoulders - then I thought better of that idea so that I could still give a report from my assignment on deck tonight instead of from the airport headed home!


THE best moment of these Trials was a swim-off for 17th place in the women's 200 breast. This was for the 1st alternate and it was louder than at any other time in during any prelims. It matched an All-American college athlete from Louisville against a 14 year old wearing a practice suit (not the high tech down to the knees). This young lady was grinning ear to ear as she stood next to me getting ready. She looked a little frantic as she heard the short whistles for "get ready." I said: "Don't worry, they'll wait for you. Take your time." She was in awe of the noise and just excited to be there. The noise was deafening from the small crowd still left, so much so that the ladies didn't hear the long whistle to get on the blocks.


The 14 year old won and the place erupted again. Then the priceless moment of the BEST moment - a group of spectators, young girls probably 14 years old and younger, were reaching out for this "champion's" autograph. She was elated - surprised - humbled - and simply enjoying the moment. That is the best of USA Swimming.


Here is a collection of photos from my 6th floor perch at Thursday night finals as well as some from deck this morning. I've got some videos to upload later and will take more video of some races on Saturday night.


Friday Finals Assignment: Start end, lane 8

Athletic Influencers - AIA dinner

It's really late - especially for me - and another long but good day of officiating tomorrow - but I had to write a little before closing things down for the night. I had the privilege of spending some time with a group of former Olympians, a coach, a swimmer, some officials and an AIA staff member all of whom are Christ-followers. There are others. These are the ones who made it this year. We're praying that in the next 10 years we can see a huge turnout for some breakfast or gathering of some sort as AIA does in other sports. But swimmers are weird!

It was not only fun to meet some new folks, but renew some relationship with Josh Davis and continue to develop a relationship with Scott Mottice with AIA. Scott and I were talking in the arena before heading to dinner about the role AIA could play with officials. "AIA works with athletes," I said, "so we're not in the right category." Scott's reply is something I'll remember: "No, we work with athletic influencers."

Influencing others for Christ. That's it. That's what we're called to do. Josh said it this way at dinner: "Build a bridge that can hold up the truth." (I hope I got that right) Live life in such a way that when the opportunity arises, you can be a bridge to Christ. Live well. Live truthfully. Live as a servant.


1 Peter 2:12 - "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."


I'm interested to see where this relationship might lead. There are boundaries and barriers for interaction between officials and swimmers. We can never be seen as showing favoritism. Coaches and officials interact a bit more. Officials spend lots of time together.


A swimming official mentor reminds me constantly: "Be a quiet presence. Let your work speak for you." That's it. No need to be pushy. No need to be separate. Remember, holy doesn't mean distant but rather distinct. Influence happens up close, through serving, through living a life that honors Jesus. Years ago AIA taught me that that means giving 100% all the time, every time - at the time it was in the water, now it's officiating the deck. That's honoring Jesus with the talent, passion and gifts He's given. Anything less is like burying a treasure in the ground rendering it useless to the Lord.


I'll work on posting some photos tomorrow taken from the 6th floor of the arena, looking down over the pool. A great place to watch the meet tonight. Here's one of many.

Happy Anniversary & Assignments

I probably won't get to much of a post today with the AIA dinner later. But nothing is as important to say as "Happy 26th" to my bride. Thanks for supporting me in this hobby of mine. Love You.

I found a computer to use for a moment...

Tonight's assignment is: OFF (everyone is off for 3 finals)
Friday morning I'm on the start end, lane 4
I'm also OFF Saturday night and Monday night.
Will post the others as I know them.

Finishing the Race

For every story of excitement and triumph there is usually a story of disappointment. Tonight was no exception. The journey of Jessica Hardy has been anything but straight. I don't know her personally so I just know the facts. After the '08 Trials she tested positive for a banned substance after winning the 100 breast and was removed from the team and banned from competition for I think 2 years. She continued to train, set a world record along the way and everything pointed to tonight. She finished 3rd. The top finisher goes automatically with the second usually officially named later.


Breeja Larson won the women's 100 breast over the defending world champion, Rebecca Soni. She was ecstatic, genuinely shocked and surprised. She was fun to watch as, after the medal ceremony, she cried on her boyfriend's shoulder and her family gathered around her.


There was the men's 100 back - Matt Grevers was like a little kid after winning. And Nick Thoman (a Cincinnati native who went to Mariemont High School) was second. That was great to see knowing some of the circuitous path he's traveled. In third place was David Plummer, former coach for Cincinnati Aquatic Club, who gave himself to full-time training over the past year plus. For every thrill there is often a corresponding disappointment. Not everyone can win - at least not a physical race.


Paul writes about the most important race, using a reference to the Olympic Games: "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. ²⁷ No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)


There is a race we can all win. It's the spiritual race, the only one that counts in the end. It's not about racking up the medals and recognition. Instead the focus is the heart, the motives and intent of the heart. Strict training is involved. If your life was spiritually drug tested, would something illegal be discovered or would you be clean? 


USA Swimming goes to incredible lengths to protect these athletes, filling their lives with information about drug testing, helping them understand how the processes work and more. I happened to be standing in a back hallway last night passing an athlete who was under escort from USADA (the drug testing agency). An escort stays with the top finishers until the process for that race is finished. If there's another race for that athlete, then the escort stays with them, always in sight (sort of like a chain of evidence proof for criminal forensics). That's just a small portion of what is done on their behalf. Do you have that kind of spiritual protection working for you in this great race? That's what a small group does, an accountability partner, your wife or husband can fill the role.


How do you handle disappointment? Is it personal or more about your personal response?


God has one purpose in mind for our lives - to mold and shape us into the image of Jesus. He'll use whatever He has to work with. He can use triumph and tragedy, thrill and disappointment. He can use kind and generous people as well as a difficult EGR (Extra Grace Required) person. It's all part of training.


What's your training routine? A swimmer has to fuel his or her body in order to train. How are you fueling your heart - junk food or a balanced nutrition? 

"God, I don't know how you're going to use this but I trust that you will. Help me to cooperate with that work in my life." 

Wednesday afternoon update

Great morning on deck, mainly watching swimming from a great seat! I was a little off on my reserve assignment location - I was sitting on the turn end and stepping in only for the people walking stroke - which I did three times (bad for the swimmers who were disqualified).

Praying today for family, friends and acquaintances in Colorado Springs. Several USA Swimming staff have gone home from Omaha to be with evacuated family members.

Update on Jayme, the swim official who broke her wrist.....she is up and around, actually working a position on the main floor sort of underneath the pool area. She's a trooper.

Wednesday finals assigment: Start end, lane 1

I have absolutely loved being here so far. It's a great atmosphere with good friends, new friends and of course great swimming.

Thursday night after finals there is a dinner with Athletes in Action. Will make for a pretty late night but I'm looking forward to touching base with Josh Davis and meeting a few Trials qualifiers who are Jesus followers. Not all the swimmers will make it but encouraging any athlete in their faith is worth it. For swimmers there is a consistent reminder of who we follow first - found at the bottom of every lane at every wall is a cross. I remember seeing it hundreds of times a day during practice.

You can find information, stories and more on the AIA Facebook page. I'm not sure of the exact address since I've shut down FB for the Sabbatical. The email address is "aiaswim" so it could look something like that. Sorry I can't be more precise. A link was provided in yesterday's email from AIA to a story about Caitlin Leverenz who was 2nd in the 400 IM and is presently 2nd in the 200 IM for tonight's semi-final race.

What helps you focus on Jesus in the midst of your day at work, at home, at school, at practice, on the road or in the air? Everybody needs a good reminder.

Pre-Wednesday Trials Update

Back very late from our great evening session but then a hospital run with an official who fractured her wrist. Could have been much worse. Pray for some swift healing and no more falls for Jayme.


Wednesday morning assignment: Reserve Official for Stroke
The reserve position is used when an official has a potential disqualification, indicating such to the Chief Judge in their quadrant. That official comes off the deck and the reserve official goes on. In other words: 1) I have to pay attention the whole time; 2) I get a great seat for all the races; 3) there's good potential I won't move from my great seat.


Here are some photos and a little commentary. I have to get to sleep but wanted to get these posted.

My sister and brother-in-law, Dave & Jennifer. It's good to be with them at the same event even if we do only bump into each other once or twice a day. 

Sunday evening, a quick meal with some of the officials before we headed to our TV rehearsal. 

This is the entrance for the start end officials and also the exit for swimmers after a race. Notice the British phone booth. Winners are asked to sign it after their races.

This is the warm-up pool - 1 50-meter pool and also one (1) 5 lane, 25-yard pool tacked onto one side. Quite an impressive build, surrounded by the athlete areas for massages, a lounge and lots of room to stretch and mentally prepare for races. 

They must have known I was coming - make your own Arnold Palmer's in the official's room. The food had been fantastic! I'm grateful there's a YMCA close by!

The official's room Tuesday night as we get to interact with Frank Busch, the National Team Director for USA Swimming. I asked Frank: "How did your time at the University of Cincinnati prepare you for your success at Arizona for 22 years?" Very quickly he responded: "The challenges presented by the athletes." Score one for Frank over one of his former swimmers at U.C.! 

Tuesday Trials Update

Had a great morning on the start end rotating lane to lane as the relief person for half the pool. It's really a lot of fun being right there as Lochte, Phelps, Grevers, Soni are getting ready for their races. Definitely felt a little small next to Grevers who stands something like 6'8"!

Spending the afternoon with my sister. It's a family affair for us around swimming. I'll add a great photo later of my sister, her husband and me.

I don't think I'll get much reading done this week, maybe an hour or two at best each day. Hopefully I'll have something to share from one of the two I'm working through.

It's really a privilege to be here this week. Very exciting atmosphere to be part of.

Tuesday Finals Position: Turn end in Lane 7

Monday Update (Part 2)

I got a text a bit earlier that Pastor Jeff is right in the thick of the action! He's at the start end in Lane 5. No doubt he's having an awesome time. Follow jrakerlive or check back here when he's able to catch a breath.


THANKS everyone for your texts. Glad I didn't trip on my way up to the edge of the pool! It was a great night, exciting races and I even look good in blue!


Tuesday morning I'm on the starter end again in a relief judge role. I will be providing 20 minutes of relief to each official in lanes 0 - 4.


I'm tired and off to bed. Lots more swimming to go.

Monday Update

It's Monday afternoon and I have time for a quick update. A very good morning. The warm-up pool was an excellent assignment! Great swimming this morning and some fantastic races on tap for tonight. No idea where I'll be assigned.


It'll be a good night of swimming.

The time is here....

Reconnecting with good friends, exploring new scenery and being in the midst of history are all coming together for me here in Omaha. Good friends from Cornerstone graciously opened their spare bedroom to me for the duration of Trials. Thanks, Tom & Christy. Of course, I'm a little worried that poor Elaina has now begun throwing up. That would not look good on national TV throwing up into the pool! Praying that doesn't happen.

Before I forget, my assignment in the morning for prelims is "the warm-up pool." Yes, they are stationing three of us in the warm-up pool for the morning. Apparently assignments will be different in the evening so I'll try to let you know. Regardless of where I am it's exciting to be here. The big screen in the warm-up pool area will keep us apprised of what's happening in the meet.

Tonight we went through some rehearsal for TV - where to walk - where to stand - complete with fire exploding from mechanisms on the side of the pool. We were 30 meters away and felt the heat! If there's a World or American record, watch out!

I bumped into Jamie Cahn, an official from the Baltimore area, at the airport so I offered to drop him at the hotel. I'm amazed at how God brings things together in "chance" meetings. Jamie is writing a book on management and leadership. We had really just a few moments to talk, sharing what I am reading and what he is writing. I offered to read it if he wants an opinion. We'll see.

I've added four books to my list. The first two were assigned by Coach Brenda (Sherpa Coaching):

1. The Next Level: What Insiders Know about Executive Success, Scott Eblin

2. What's Your Impact on Business: The Sherpa Guide to Business, Behavior & You, Brenda Corbett & Rubi Ho (no link on Amazon, but you could email Sherpa Coaching (see link to the right) for a copy.

3. 9 Things You Simply Must Do To Succeed in Love and Life, Henry Cloud (big surprise, another Cloud book!!)

4. The Unknown Battle of Midway, Alvin Kernan - I found this book on a list produced by the University Library association. I've always been a fan of WWII history and Midway is my favorite war movie. Mr. Kernan was on an aircraft carrier during the Battle so comes at it from a very interesting perspective and is able to give many details not told in the movie.

Olympic Trials

Tomorrow is reaching a goal, knocking one off the bucket list, in general a really exciting time for me. I'm off to Omaha and the Swimming Olympic Trials. Here's a photo of the first panel for the competition pool being set a few weeks ago.

To prepare I spent the morning with 6 - 10 year old swimmers at the Elks Country Club of Hamilton, OH. It was a fun meet. "Ah, the good ol' days of summer swimming."


I have no idea of the flow of each meet day in Omaha. I anticipate some down time during which I hope to work out (the Omaha YMCA's have been gracious to open their facilities to me after I contacted them), read and post on the blog. I'll try to post my position on deck each day on Twitter (jrakerlive) and here. As my children would recommend: "Look for the lights shining off his head!" Although in a perfect world, officials should not be seen on the Trials deck - at least not on TV.


We're all looking forward to seeing Lochte & Phelps square off but there will be many more fantastic races. I'm really looking forward to seeing how Missy Franklin does, the 16-year old phenom from Colorado. She's a great young lady.


All but the fastest heats of preliminaries will be webcast live at usaswimming.org June 25-July 1. The fastest 2-4 heats of preliminaries will be broadcast on tape delay by NBC Sports. See the schedule for further information. Olympic Trials TV Broadcast Schedule

Here are some links to the construction of the pools in Omaha:

Omaha News Report
2008 Time Lapse

In Touch with Reality

On Sunday I head to Omaha as an official for the 2012 Swimming Olympic Trials, the fastest swim meet in the world. The top 5 (or more) swimmers in the U.S. could place in the top 16 in the Olympics - but only 2 get to go in each event. It's a fast meet. Everything comes down to these 8 days of swimming.


There's a part of me that would like to deceive myself into saying: "I could do that." It happens when we watch athletes perform, from golf to swimming to volleyball. "I could do that." It happens to pastors when we look at leaders of larger congregations - "I could do that." Basically we're out of touch with reality if we take that too far. At this point in swimming, I know I can't do that - but part of my would like to believe I could. Just yesterday I swam a mile - 66 laps - 1650 yards (I know that's not quite a mile but it's what the swimming world calls a mile) and it felt good. That was the first part of warm-up for Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps. And they took 10% of the time I took to do it!


We watch leaders (at least I do) and think to ourselves, "I could do that." But can we really? Is that reality? In truth it's not. First of all, not everyone can lead the same number of people. Some are gifted to lead 100 - some 200 - some 500 and some 1000 or more. Unfortunately we place a value on leaders based on the number of people in their organization - at least many leaders do. But truth be told, the leader of 500 can't lead 1000, at least not in the same way.

Henry Cloud's book, Integrity, is about the 6 components of an integrated, mature character. One of those components is Being Oriented Toward Truth. Mature people are in touch with reality. He shared the story of a dog food company that had horrible results. After firing 3 or 4 marketing firms and still having the same results someone finally spoke up and said, "The dogs don't like it." Truth. Reality.


"One of my favorite sayings is, no matter how difficult it is to hear, Reality is always your friend. The reason is almost a truism: everything else is a fantasy. So, for us to get real results in the real world, we must be in touch with what is, not what we wish things were or think things should be or are led by others to believe they are. They only thing that is going to be real in the end is what is." (italics his, p. 106)




Here's what Cloud writes about people who are in touch with reality: (Chaper 8)

1. They seek out the truth about what is real. They keep updating information through active pursuit instead of waiting for it to knock on the door.
2. They have an observing ego. Mature people monitor themselves, they self-evaluate. They see themselves in truth, in reality.
3. They have neutralized truth. Mature leaders are able to look at the facts, the hard truths, and not be overwhelmed either by them or not make them overwhelming in the delivery of them to others. They can focus on the issues and problems apart from people.
4. They maintain a balance between judgment and emotions. Emotion doesn't cancel out thinking and thinking doesn't cancel out emotion. A mature character "has access to all of his thinking faculties, and the emotional state that he is in does not 'override.'" (p. 128)
5. They aren't split personalities, Jekyll & Hyde. Cloud describes this as what I would call black and white thinking. With a failure or a mistake it's all bad and in fact, I'm all bad. A mature character sees the whole picture not just the action, whether about themselves or another person.
6. They have the ability to assimilate and accomodate. Mature characters can bring in new information and make room for it. They are coachable, teachable, flexible and realize they don't yet know it all. When Kathryn married Brian we made room for him in our family and will continue to. We will assimilate and accomodate just as they will with us and Brian's family.

   This last one is huge for me. It's Q-TiP (Quit Taking it Personally). Changing strategies isn't personal, it's business. Adapting to the changing culture isn't personal, it's business. Churches and other organizations that are more married to methods and personal preferences than they are to adapting to the culture are not going to mature. They will stagnate and die. Church business isn't about personal preferences. It's about Kingdom results. Period.

   I'm not suggesting giving up core values and vision. I am suggesting that when it comes to assimilation and accomodation, churches are notorious for being behind the times and one of the most resistant organizations to change. Many are out of touch with reality.

   I have shifted leadership from the size church Cornerstone was in 2003 to today. But I am realizing that what needs to shift for the future vision to be realized is 10 times (or more) what has already been done. I've barely scratched the surface and am in danger of being out of touch with reality. I can't take it personally when I look at the changes that need to be made in me. It's not about me. It's about Jesus!

Where do you need to grow? In this list of 6 characteristics of people who are in touch with reality, where were you tripped up? Where are you stuck thinking about personal preferences while God is calling you to Kingdom principles?

Doing v Being

Yesterday after the Asbury Chapel Dr. Mulholland asked how the family was and I gave him a few tid-bits of joy and concern. His response was simple: "We'll be praying for you." I knew that's what he would say. It's what he's always said. It's the consistency of his character. And I know he will pray. He is genuine, consistent, dependable, human and imperfect but he has integrity.


The world loves people like him. The world needs people like him. People of integrity aren't out for themselves and you know it. They aren't blowing smoke. They are genuine. You know that they care. It's not about what they do but about who they are that speaks to our hearts. Integrity isn't about following a code of conduct. It's much deeper than that.


In his book Integrity: the courage the meet the demands of reality, (remember the link to www.abebooks.com for a used bookstore search engine. I found this book for $1. plus $3.50 shipping). Henry Cloud pulls together two terms that when I look at them now, of course they are related. I would have never gotten there! To have integrity means to have a integrated character as opposed to a divided life.


Integrity is a book about growth, having a character that is always growing, moving forward, adding value. It requires, Cloud surmises, an integrated character:

"the opposite of integration is compartmentalization. That means that a part of oneself can be operating without the benefit of other parts, and that spells trouble. You have known people who love, for example, without the benefit of judgment and reality testing. Or people who are creative, but without the benefit of being structured or organized. Or those who can be

proactive and take risks, but can't delay when they need to. They are impulsive.

Strengths turn into weaknesses without the other parts of a person to balance them out.

In fact, historically the word diabolical actually means  "to compartmentalize." Things go 'bad' when they are out of balance and integration. The person  of  'integrity' is a person of balanced integration of all that character affords."  (p. 36-37)

People of integrity can look at the numbers of a pet-project and make the necessary changes. They are married to results not the project. People of integrated character can have the difficult conversation with a direct report and stay separate from the emotion of the moment, keeping the issue the issue. It comes not from the skills you have or the things you do but from the core of who you are. Being v Doing.


The 6 character dimensions of Integrity are:

1. Establishing Trust
2. Oriented Toward Growth
3. Getting Results
4. Embracing the Negative
5. Oriented Toward Increase
6. Oriented Toward Transcendence

This book is going to take a lot of work to go back through. I'm probably going to type up the quotes and lists I've highlighted as my way of internalizing more of it. There's one topic that I really think I need to to some work on and I have this urge to blog about it but I'm not sure I want to. It's an area of failure that I've recognized - not total or complete but definitely not healthy. I'll write and maybe I'll post it but regardless it will be some productive work.


What kind of work do you need to do on your character? What would people say is consistent about your character? What would you like them to say? Where are the gaps that you recognize? What are the consistent patterns you see in the rear view mirror of your life, patterns that you don't like or aren't healthy? Do something. Talk with someone about it. Journal. Get into a small group. Read. Do something. Press on.


"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-14)