Temperatures hovering in the high 90s - low 100s + Diving into Masters Swim practice where the pool water is approximately 80-82 degrees + Seeing smiley fish cap coming at you underwater... Priceless!
Tags: swimmer, swimming, U.S. Masters Swimming, underwater
Johnny Depp a U.S. Masters Swimmer? No such luck. What I did find at a recent Marin Pirates swim practice was dedicated, enthusiastic, passionate and accessible Head Coach Cokie Lepinski and an extremely demonstrative and nice Assistant Coach Susie Powell. Both women are certified ASCA and USA Swimming coaches. Cokie is a fierce competitor who holds US Masters National Records in the women's 50-54 age group 100- and 200-yard breaststroke and the 100 meters (short course meters) breaststroke. Susie competes in open water swims and pool competitions and owns several Top 10 rankings with US Masters Swimming. She is a member of a World Record setting relay team. (And yet they associate with a slacker like me!)...
The last time I dipped my toe into the pool was March 8th. Knowing I'd be out of the water for at least a month or two, I can honestly say I never enjoyed a coached U.S. Masters swim as much. For anyone out there with a shoulder injury facing surgery, get it in your head it's a long healing process. If you make peace with that fact, it will make your recovery easier. With that being said, it's days like these, when it's cold and rainy/snowy, that make being temporarily disabled and away from the swimming pool a little easier to accept. More power to my lanemates who continue to brave the cold!
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Tags: shoulder injury
Just about three weeks post shoulder surgery and I'm seriously missing the view from the pool...
One of the many benefits of being a U.S. Masters swimmer is being a part of a network of wonderful folks. I was given a ride to the pool recently and visited with my lane mates. Their smiles and kind words certainly helped me to forget the pain.
Tags: lane mate, U.S. Masters Swimmer
This image of a young swimmer was taken at the Tuolumne County Aquatics Masters annual 1650-yard (66 laps/1 mile) event. I wanted to play around with blurring the images and practice panning techniques. This is one of my favorites from the day. Hope you like it.
Tags: 1650, photo, swimmer, Tuolumne County Aquatics Masters
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
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It’s the dreaded time of year at our pool – time for the annual 1650 free. This is a timed, 1650-yard freestyle swim, which is approximately 1 mile. We all swim more than a mile during our daily coached U.S. Masters workouts, but the fact that there are people there watching you, timing for you and counting laps for you makes it a whole new ballgame. Swimming the mile is a huge accomplishment. For members of the Tuolumne County Aquatics Masters program that have never participated in this annual event, they are setting a benchmark for the future. For those swimming the 1650 for the second, third or ninth ...
Tags: Masters Swimmer, Masters Swimming, TCAM, Tuolumne County Aquatics Masters
It's also about proper rest and recovery... right?
This photo was taken at the U.S. Masters Swimming Short Course Meters Championships in Walnut Creek this past fall. These properly rested swimmers, I believe, are from Tamalpais Aquatic Masters. (Note to self, next swim meet... take better notes!)
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