Katie ledecky touched the wall, turned around, spit out some water, curled her mouth into a big smile and began waving her finger.
For a swimmer who is getting accustomed to breaking world records, this one was a bit of a surprise.
The American teenager improved her own mark in the 1,500-meter freestyle at the world championships on Monday in morning heats.
The 18-year-old ledecky completed the marathon-like race in 15 minutes, 27.71 seconds — shaving 0.65 seconds off the mark she set at last year’s Pan Pacific championships in Australia.
“I’m in quite a bit of shock right now,” ledecky said. “I was barely even focusing on this morning’s swim. I was so relaxed. ... I realized kind of toward the end because I could see people waving.”
ledecky also holds world marks in the 400 and 800 free. She was just off her record pace in winning the 400 free Sunday.
“It’s probably one of the coolest world records I’ve broken,” ledecky said. “Each one is really unique, but just sort of how relaxed and calm I was it’s pretty neat and hopefully I can carry that energy through the rest of the week.”
While the Kazan Arena was only half full, ledecky’s American teammates and family members in the stands were going wild, and she acknowledged them after climbing out of the temporary pool.
“I knew where my parents and brother and uncle were sitting and I could see them waving as well,” ledecky said.
It was the second world record of the meet after Sarah Sjoestrom of Sweden broke one in the 100 fly semifinals Sunday.
Jessica Ashwood, the second-placed swimmer in ledecky’s heat, finished more than a lap behind.
Others were more than two laps behind. That gave ledecky plenty of time to savor the moment, while resting on the lane ropes.
ledecky’s biggest challenge of the meet could come Tuesday when she’ll race against teammate Missy Franklin and a loaded field in the 200 free semifinals after the 1,500 final.