You know, I had every intention of talking about a sure-fire tip to win your next 200 IM (trust me, it’s all in the backstroke), but I stumbled upon a wonderful vlog (= video blog) instead. Round-aboutly, I am staying on topic… the video is related to swimming, as it was created by a United States Masters Swimmer - Jim Thorton.
On Friday, a group of approximately 30 protesters took occupation of the Sedgemoor Splash Pool in the UK, armed with banners and swimming costumes. One of the protesters commented, "Our council decided to ignore the views of 90 per cent of people and close our swimming pool. We think they want to demolish it straight away to make way for a supermarket. This is an occupation until such time the council backs off. This pool is the only amenity that this town has left, we don't need another supermarket." On Saturday morning, only eight remained after a total of 13 spent the night inside the building. The remaining protesters were told that council had an injunction, ...
When I tell people I am a U.S. Masters Swimmer, they bow down and say, “WOW! or Holy Cow! You’re an animal! or I’m not worthy!” After a few minutes of worship, I help them back up to their feet and am then promptly put back in my place when they ask, “What is a Masters Swimmer?” For all of you out there who would like to know, I’ve lifted the description directly from the USMS website and included it below. Please feel free though, to continue to think I am really much more athletic and hip than I really am.
United States Masters Swimming (USMS) is a national organization that provides organized workouts, competitions, ...
I can't help myself. I tweet daily – do you? (http://twitter.com/MastersSwimmers or @MastersSwimmers). Seriously, I love Twitter. For one, it’s easy. It’s not like programming a VCR. (Those still exist, right?) Hanging in Twitter is a bit like being at a really cool party and eavesdropping on interesting conversations, or joining in. It’s easy to move on from the folks who are intent on telling you what they’re up to every given moment in a day. (Do I really need to know you just drank a glass of OJ or you had one too many chili fries?) Listen, you just keep scrolling – or better yet, stop “following” folks who tweet ceaselessly about absolutely nothing. ...
I had the opportunity a couple weeks ago to swim with the U.S. Masters Swimmers at the Penobscot (Pen-Bay) YMCA in Rockport, Maine. I believe they refer to themselves as the Maine Masters Swim Club, though I’m not entirely sure. The group meets only twice a week for 1½ hours each session. Maybe that’s why the workout was so ridiculous – they had to make up for lost time? I'd like to thank them for welcoming me - and for the massive workout. I have available to me at my Northern California home pool, on average, seven 1-hour swim workouts every day, Monday through Friday, one organized workout on Saturdays and one open swim on Sundays. ...
Two months shy of her 81st birthday, Marianna Hagan won six swimming gold medals at the 2009 Summer National Senior Games at Stanford University. On her way back home to the East Coast, Hagan stopped in Indianapolis and grabbed two more gold medals and a pair of silvers at the U.S. Masters Swimming Long Course Championships. During her four days of Senior Games competition, from Aug. 1 to 4 at Stanford University, Hagan placed first in the 80- to 85-year-old category in the 50-meter butterfly (1:01.05); 100-meter butterfly (3:01.86); 100-meter backstroke (2:07.87); 100-meter individual medley (2:10.59); 200-meter backstroke (4:32.79) and 200-meter individual medley (5:15.46). You can read the full article, written by Chuck Gormley, ...
Our US Masters Swimming workout had to take a back seat for a few hours on Sunday while two local youth swim teams competed. I can't even begin to describe how wonderfully cute, enthusiastic and supportive of one another these kids were. So, instead, I'll share a few photos with you.
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Last week, I shared a lane with one of my favorite lane mates, as well as with someone new, someone in fact, I hadn't seen previously at the pool. (Apparently she normally swims much earlier in the day.) We were to do 3 x 200 free descending/3 x 100 free/3 x 50 non-free and repeat the entire set 3 times. At the end of each set, the coach wanted to know our times for the 200s. First set - each of us swam the second 200 faster than the first, but then stayed the same or slowed on the 3rd 200. Of course, the coach let us know in her firm way that we needed to up the speed ...
Now, I'm sure this guy isn't a U.S. Masters Swimmer (we wouldn't do such things, right?!)... but you have to wonder what was up with the Speedo... spotted in today's news:
A burglary suspect wearing only a Speedo-style swimsuit has been arrested in Connecticut after a police dog tracked him down and bit him on the leg. Police say they spotted the suspect in East Hartford on Thursday wearing the bathing suit and holding a toolbox that had been stolen from a truck. They say he tried to steal several vehicles and also took items from them. Police say he tried to run from them, but a police dog found him hiding behind a car. He was being held after ...
Again with the Twitter love. I probably would not come across these wonderful swimming tips so easily without scrolling through my Twitter account (@MastersSwimmers). Rebecca, this one is for you again. Good for you for sticking with it!
1) While standing, practice inhaling through the mouth and exhaling through the nose until you feel comfortable and at ease.
2) With feet still on the bottom and arms remaining at sides, bend forward, placing the face in the water, and practice the same breath, turning the head first to one side, then the other and working through three focal points:
Keep the top of your head down as you breathe. Relax the side and ...
