U.S. Masters Swimmers at Tuolumne County Aquatics Masters (TCAM) are wrapping up their timed 1650-yard event this weekend. That's ONE MILE folks! I've been at the pool with my camera, and I can't begin to express to you in words just how inspiring it is to witness this annual event. Maybe this photo of 79-year-old Floyd and Coach Patti conveys the elation of completing such an impressive task.
Tags: Masters Swimming, Tuolumne County Aquatics Masters, U.S. Masters Swimmer
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 ...
I took these photos at Saturday's 2009 Summer National Senior Games swimming competition at Avery Pool, Stanford University. Swimming continues through mid-week, and if I didn't have an upcoming trip tomorrow, I would have planted myself poolside throughout the entire competition. I just can't express how truly inspiring these athletes are. A big CONGRATULATIONS to all Senior Games competitors! The games continue through August 15th.
The fastest Native American swimmer at the 2009 Summer National Senior Games with her teammate, friend and two-time Gold Medal Winner! This photo was taken immediately after the first gold-winning swim.
.jpg)
TCAM (Tuolumne ...
One of my TCAM teammates won TWO GOLD MEDALS... (2)! We swim at the same time of day, though in different lanes. We chit chat in the locker room, and Sissy always has a sweet smile on her beautiful face and never fails to offer kind words to all of us on deck. She's also one of the few people that can give our coach a hard time and get away with it. She's my favorite 70+ year-old DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL WINNER. One of my actual lane mates got a 4th place in the 100 freestyle... 4th place! Unfortunately, she had to beat two other women from our team who normally swim faster than she does. But, I'm pretty ...
Even the NY Times has something to say about frustrating lane mates! Cindy Schweich Handler, a freelance writer, submitted "Rule Breakers at the Pool" to the paper's "Complaint Box" today. It begins,
I think we can all agree that if enough of us jettison the rules we have elected to follow and do whatever we please instead, then we’re in danger as a society. When we ignore the signs and don’t stay in our lanes; when we smash into people and keep on going without checking to see if they’re hurt; when we park ourselves in one spot, idling, and refuse to make way for the next person — when this kind of acting out becomes routine, we create an environment ...
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 sharing a lane with five people. She's a sweet woman, keep your answers polite!
(Random photo, not said lane mate.)
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 - Dave Fairfield - has an infectious and genuine enthusiasm, a good-hearted nature, and he is one very big reason I signed up to become a U.S. Masters Swimmer. He continues to teach at the pool and is never too busy to offer support, instruction and encouragement to new swimmers and long-time athletes alike. I ran into him at the pool today and snapped ...
Here we are, awaiting instructions from our USMS coach...
.jpg)
Today's Masters Swimming warm up?
Fins on... 400 yards, 50 kick/50 swim - your choice... Go!
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 currently learning to speak fluent Italian with the University of Oregon – Study Abroad in Italy program. We immediately discovered our love of international travel, and we both have a particular fondness for France and Italy. We’ve since moved on to different lanes, but we still share a love of travel, fine food and foreign languages. I was ...
