Archive for July, 2009

US Masters Swimming – Youth And Adults

July 31, 2009

Below you’ll find one of my favorite images from today’s Tuolumne County Aquatics Open Age Group Swim Meet for the younger crowd. (more to follow)  The 2009 TCA AOG swim meet will continue through the entire weekend, with swim teams in attendance from various northern California and Central Valley locations. I saw swim caps there [...]

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USMS Lane Mate Causes Quandary

July 30, 2009

What do you do with a lane mate who, when she gets to the far end of the pool stops to catch her breath, and then proceeds to push off the wall just as you are about to make your turn? This said lane mate is a much slower swimmer than you are, and you’re [...]

Posted in Lane Mates, Swimming Photos 1 Comment »

2009 Summer National Senior Games at Stanford, August 1–15

July 29, 2009

Seems like half the people I swim with in the US Masters Swimming program here in Tuolumne County are heading to the 2009 Summer National Senior Games at Stanford this weekend. Folks were practicing their starts, sprints, and of course half the pool has been tapering their practices all week. I suspect some records will [...]

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Great Swim Coaches Are Worth Their Weight In Fins/Goggles/Speedos/Snorkles

July 26, 2009

After my first attempt at a triathlon a couple of years ago, I realized I could use a little help with my swimming skills. I found the nearest swimming pool and signed up for a Masters Swimming 101 course. I was fortunate enough to have found great coaches at the Tuolumne County Aquatics Center. My 101 coach [...]

Posted in Lane Mates, Swimming Competition Information, Swimming Miscellanea, Swimming Photos 3 Comments »

Ironman Triathlon, World Aquatics Championships, Le Tour de France on TV This Weekend

July 25, 2009

Time your swimming practices, your bike rides and your training runs well this weekend! There was an epic battle in the Tour de France on Mt. Ventoux today. (No spoilers here – but let me say YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS IT!) The Ironman World Championships from Kona, Hawaii, is being replayed on television later [...]

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Swimming Warm Ups

July 24, 2009

Here we are, awaiting instructions from our USMS coach… Today’s Masters Swimming warm up? Fins on… 400 yards, 50 kick/50 swim – your choice… Go!

Posted in Lane Mates, Swimming Miscellanea 1 Comment »

How to Prepare for Swimming in Open Water

July 24, 2009

I ran into someone on Twitter who is about to sign up for her first sprint triathlon. She is a bit apprehensive about the swim portion, as it will not be in a pool. She’s doesn’t have experience with open water swimming. I’m not a professional by any means, but if I could, I would [...]

Posted in Open Water Swims, Swimming Miscellanea 1 Comment »

Are Indoor Swimming Pools Bad for Your Health?

July 23, 2009

There is a wonderfully informative article in the NY Times, written by Gretchen Reynolds, discussing the real health issues of swimming in indoor pools. According to the article, “Problems arise when chlorine mixes with proteins in the water, such as shredded skin or hair, creating chloramines. The more chlorine and the more protein you have [...]

Posted in Swimming Miscellanea, Swimming News 1 Comment »

Buon Giorno d’Italia

July 21, 2009

Lane mates… love ‘em, curse ‘em, pass ‘em, compete against ‘em – they undoubtedly make you a better swimmer, enhance your day, and make for entertaining chat around the dinner table. One of my favorite lane mates, a woman I met when I first started the U.S. Masters Swimming program here in Northern California, is [...]

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Swimming Pool Art

July 21, 2009

I found the most interesting ‘tweet’ and link last night on Twitter!  Check out this swimming pool art I found on the "If It’s Hip, It’s Here" blog. This one is by Alan Brown:        

Posted in Swimming Miscellanea 1 Comment »