Swimming for ME

A little elf visited me

2010-12-24T14:11:00.004-05:00

I must have been very good this year because this is what I found under my tree last night.

Pretty cool eh? I already feel faster. It's going to be a good year.

Oh speedsuit where fore art thou when I need you most?

2010-12-14T20:22:00.003-05:00

That is my summary of the SCM Championship meet at BU this weekend.

Well that and... how can each age group I age up into get faster than the one before??

I love my blue lobstahs. Thank god for them.

Into the deep blue

2010-09-10T14:50:00.005-04:00

The news this week was a great shock. I have been going through my daily routines still processing and remembering.

Jane, one of our Masters swimmers, passed away this week due to an aneurysm. She was only 50. She completed the Peaks to Portland race this year with same exuberant joy and excitement that she brought to all her activities. She was funny and kept us all laughing.

My greatest condolences to her family. We will miss her greatly.

Help me pick a new suit!

2010-08-23T10:35:00.004-04:00

I'm facing a week of rain, the end of summer and going back to work this week.
This summer has to been too good. Obviously it is time for a new suit.
Please help me pick a new suit and vote (in the side bar) for your favorite one.

I'm a Winner not a Wiener!

Tsunami

Da Bomb

I must be butter 'cause I'm on a roll

Blue Flamengo

Race Reprot: Celebrate the Clean Harbor 2010

2010-08-22T12:52:00.005-04:00

Sean and I proudly display our plaques!

Gorgeous summer day, perfect flat conditions, water temp 61. Hometown race for Cape Ann'ers and a beautiful venue.

Course was a bit longer than past years judging by the winning times. It was a trapezoid course out and back in the harbor. Maine Masters showed up in style (of course thanks to Son) with a huge banner and 20 swimmers. Sadly absent were Cheryl, Simon and a few others who have made this a regular swim over the years. Next year they'll be back! I'd like to get a few others in on this fun short swim too -- John, Mike, Susan?

This race was particularly fun as I got to see my sister and brother in law and adorable
niece Alessandra (pictures to come).

A 1.2 mile race is markedly different from the longer races I have been doing this summer (2.4 in July and 4.4 in June). It is really a full out sprint for 20 minutes! Which is a good realization as I have one more race this season, a relay at Lobsterman in September. This race did hurt a bit (and talking to folks afterwards I wasn't the only one). My lats and triceps were aching and tight. I am not sure if it was the effort I put out (didn't seem more than usual?), the flatness (why would that matter) or poor fit of my wetsuit. This is only the second race I have worn my Helix Blueseventy for a race but both times I have been uncharacteristically sore in my triceps. Could the suit be too short for my torso? I never had this problem with my old Orca. Has this happened to anyone else?

Otherwise I completely enjoyed the morning. I finished 3rd woman and 10th overall (/125). I highly recommend this race! Congrats to fellow Mainer's Sean Carter (1st male 30-39) and Kelsey Abbott (1st woman 30-39). Always nice to swim with friends.

Night swim with fireworks

2010-08-18T21:32:00.003-04:00

So I am planning a night swim under fireworks for my birthday.
I am pretty excited. I've got glowsticks for under my goggles, flashlights
for the spotters and I'm all ready to get my faux shark tattoo afterwards.

Understandably, however, some people are a bit freaked out by this prospect.

But extensive research revealed that there have never been any unprovoked shark attacks on the coast of Maine. Shark sightings are rare. The most common sharks in Maine are spiny dogfish, blue sharks and occassionally porbeagles. The Gulf of Maine Research Insitute has a nice summary in case you are swimming at night anytime soon :)

Race Report: Peaks to Portland 2010

2010-07-26T06:44:00.009-04:00

This is our life happening ... and it is happening right now. - Michael Chabon

That is my main reason I like doing open water races.
In those moments of the race, I live fully in the present.
Painful or exhilarating, I and everyone in that race, is right there.

Honestly I was feeling a bit complacent about this race, for many reasons, the biggest of which was that Kathy was unable to swim. She's been out for the majority of the summer with a back injury. It just hasn't been the same to train without her. I was, and am, feeling sad about this.

Kathy and I at the finish.

However in balance of this, our group had well over 20 swimmers join the 192 that completed the race, many of whom swam for the first time.

Julie taking a moment.

Peter, Claire and Bowen.

The morning was foggy and as we headed over on the ferry Peaks couldn't be seen. Even as the race started, Portland was not visible through the fog.

The start was modified several times in the days before the race. The final iteration turned out to be a good one. Four waves of 50 swimmers spaced by 3 minutes staggered by speed, fastest wave first. We had lots of room and I didn't get clobbered by any other swimmers. There was lots of space for at least 500 yards, almost the entirety I spent swimming arm for arm with Peter. Thanks dude! And then the kayaks closed in on us. I had to yell to one who crossed immediately in front of me. But he kept going. My arm hit the front end of his boat and I had to yell back at him "Don't cross the swimmers!" Someone later said I should have dunked the front end of this boat.

Karen my kayaker found me shortly after this just when I was starting to wonder, quite calmly I might add, if I would be swimming the rest of the race unescorted. She was great -- cheering, encouraging and rallying me on to the finish. Note the distinctive hat!

My arms hurt for much of the race. In retrospect I think my suit was too tight -- too new still. However I experienced none of the leg cramping that I have in past years so the change in training and pre-race nutrition seems to be working.

The water was cold, much colder than it has been at Crescent Beach. I don't know if this is just subjective or if it truly was colder. Even though I forgot my hoodie, the two caps I wore were just right to keep me warm enough.

We took a straighter route to the beach this year. I didn't feel any push of the tide and I'm not sure of whether this is due to the route we took or the timing of the tide. Most people I talked also didn't feel any push so I think it is the latter.

I had one guy (without a kayak) who trailed me for nearly the entire race. I have to say I admire his stamina. He looked like he was working quite hard keeping up a rapid cadence. Just as we entered the boats I stretched out my stroke and picked up my kick and was able to shake him loose finally.

Final stats: 2nd AG, 7th woman (7/78) and 36th OA.
Time: 53:38

Suggestions for next year:
Have the kayaks line up in numerical order: odd number one side, even number the other. This way it should correspond to the speed of the swimmers and reduce the chaos.

Can we please have water and gatorade through the awards ceremony?

Love the award towels!! Much better than a plaque.

Good bye to B70 Vision goggles

2010-07-20T20:08:00.003-04:00

Nothing sucks more than a pair of googles that have lost their suck.

Both pairs of my BlueSeventy Vision googles have failed. At first I thought it was that my original pair was a size large. Nope. They worked fine for Chesapeake (thank goodness) but failed about a week afterwards and completely ruined what otherwise would have been a gorgeous beginning of summer swim in the lake. So I ordered a new pair of size small. The suck was gone after 2 weeks.
I have returned both pairs to Swim Outlet courtesy of their 60 day return policy.

Now, sadly, again I need a new pair of googles.

Feed the need

2010-07-16T20:53:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow is a big training swim. See it started out with just trying to get together a few folks to swim to a local island for fun and as a practice run for the Peaks race next weekend. It has blossomed to over 20 swimmers of all speeds. I'm very excited. The water temperature is exceptionally warm for this time of year 63-68 degrees -- which for Maine is downright balmy.

It's been a relaxing week of vacation, fun swims and yes some surfing. I had no idea how fun surfing is. I'm definitely hooked. As I was out waiting to "catch a wave" I realized how much I love to be in the ocean. I love the feel of it on my feet as they hang off the board or as I float on my back in my wetsuit. I love swimming through the patches of seaweed. I love the adrenaline rush of seeing a fish swim beneath me or a school of small silvers jump out of the water in the sparkling sunshine. I love finding seaglass. I love the smell of seaweed and low tide. In general it's just a very very good time of year for me!

Last weekend was the Norway Triathlon -- a fun chance to try my hand at triathlon without really training -- ha ha! Indeed it was refreshing to try something new. The water was too warm for wetsuits which made it more exciting than the typical swim. That and the fact that I was swimming with Ange, a very tough competitor and dear friend, who definitely had her game face on that morning! We ended up 1-2 for women in the swim with her enjoying the limelight and running out first. Go Ange!

[break for fireworks going off in front of lighthouse with surf crashing and fog horn blowing-god I love living in Maine]

The bike was relaxing. I know I know its not supposed to be relaxing but I let it be. My chain did fall off at the half-way point but I managed to quickly get it on. Luckily I was off the bike just in time - it started to pour - pour as in torrential downpour followed by showers followed by torrential downpour. Exciting finish. Judging by the number of women in my age group who passed me in the last half mile, I could place a lot better if I just upped my game in the bike or run.

Final stats:
Swim 11.3 (3) Bike 50:34.8(101) Run 32:02.1(100) Final 1:33:48

22/68 women overall
6/14 women 40-44
3/137 swim
101/137 bike
100/137 run
72/137 OA

thus proving the point that swimmers don't always make the best triathletes --ha ha! -- and also that sometimes its just fun because it is fun.

Ocean reaches temperate conditions

2010-07-06T12:51:00.002-04:00

It always happens like this. It is freezing. Limb numbing freezing. I swim on the verge of early stages hypothermia donning 2 caps and a hoodie. And then all of a sudden it is gorgeous. This happened Monday. The first 6 inches all of a sudden felt good, comfortable, dare I say warm-ish. Below that of course was still a bit chilly but I hardly reached that depth anyways.

Buoy 44007 is reading 63. It is definitely not that warm at Crescent Beach.
Buoy CASM1 is reading 59. That sounds more likely.
But how can it be 4 degrees warmer out in the middle of the bay compared to right on Portland Harbor? Is there an oceanographer out there to explain?

It has also reached sweltering temperatures in Maine this week the likes of which I don't remember since 2002. 95 degrees.

Here's a refresher. Put it all in a blender.
1 cup cold green tea
1/2 cup 100% fruit juice
1/2 frozen banana
2 T coconut
1/2 c. pineapple chunks
1 T yogurt
1/2 scoop protein powder

Swimming in the rain

2010-07-03T12:36:00.004-04:00

Summer has arrived. I've enjoyed several swims at Kettle Cove and even swum in the pouring rain. Gary has been my faithful swim buddy - which I am so so grateful for. Not many people would swim in the rain. Actually no one else except for Kathy. How I miss her! She's due back this week and I'm praying her back will be better and she can get in and swim!

The ocean temp has been reading 57-60 on the buoy but in reality it has varied between ^&^%*( cold and just cold. I find that my two caps and hoodie are still required and every swim I exit with my right pinkie immobilized by the cold. Nevertheless my last swim at Crescent Beach allowed me a glimpse of some gorgeous orange, green and white coral and seaweed on the rocks as we swam over. I followed lines from lobster trap to lobster trap on the bottom of the ocean and saw dozens of baby crabs.

Peaks is coming up in a few weeks. And I've got the Norway Tri this coming weekend. Proud to say I've gotten in two runs and well....ahhem... no bike rides yet. Hoping for tomorrow. The weather will be good so no excuses for me.

I am contemplating swimming the Gloucester 1.2 Save the Bay swim on August 21st as well as the Rockland Breakwater 1.6 swim on August 28th. So many races and not enough time during these short Maine summers.

But overall I just feel fortunate to be able to do all this fun swimming. To have the time, the ability and the means.

Swim Wall

2010-06-28T18:59:00.002-04:00

Check out the latest in swim news at

http://swimwall.com/

GCBS 2010: Let's do it again!

2010-06-15T18:45:00.010-04:00

pictures thanks to Amy Klodzinski

That is one very very long bridge.

In the middle.... of the Chesapeake!

Sometimes a picture says it all...almost surreal isn't it?

Well it ended up being near perfect conditions...we couldn't have been any luckier. I am surprised to say but I want to DO IT AGAIN!!

And check it out... I made it on TV along with Simon!

We left at our hotel and arrived at the site at about 6:15 and hit the bathroom just like Glenn Mills recommended. We then headed over to get our caps and get marked. Just enough time to apply sunscreen and marvel at the bridge, then the pre-race meeting. We listened to just enough to learn that we should swim down the middle of the spans for the first half and then head over to the left side for the last half due to the currents. There were over 700 volunteers -- that's more than the number of swimmers! And 100% of the money raised went to the March of Dimes. Wow!

It was only minutes before Wave 1 went off. And then 15 mintues for us, Wave 2. Just enough time to suit up and drop our gear bags. It was already 80 degrees with full sun. The water looked calm with some mild waves. Wind was predicted at 7mph from the W-SW. Perfect!

I felt oddly calm. Got my feet in the water. It felt perfect. Refreshing yet just warm enough. I finally got to meet the famous Rob from RobAquatics in California as our pink cap wave waited for the go-ahead. He had a very stylish RobAquatics suit on. Impressive! (how the heck did you get this Rob?)

And it was time. Gary and his speedy 15-year old son were with me, along with John. I felt safe. I took note of #658 who stood next to me... a 6 foot-6 inch 40 year old man. Hmmm.... he looked fast, but looks are deceiving. Would be fun to see where he finished. My feet sank in the sand.

Go! I sauntered in. So unlike me. But this was a 2-hour race. No need to get my goggle kicked off or get whapped in the head. I hung back and let others go around me. Then I cut sharply to the right and aimed for the breakwater and straight for the buoys (about 500 yards away) that gated the entrance to the race course under the bridge. I passed a lot of people.

Before I knew it I hit the one mile mark. Passed green cap after green cap (wave 1). I was in my groove. Whitesnake and Michael Jackson were my friends. Mile 2 was the refreshment boat. Nah... keep swimming I thought. I planned the suit I'd wear for next year (alas Splish does not have a crab graphic, or a lobster for that matter). That passed the next mile. Mile 3 was refreshment boat #2 way on the right. I started my "ride the glide" stoke and seemed to just fly by others near me. Okay time to head left, but I thought "I'm in the clear... I'm taking this... I've got this in the bag! Wait don't get cocky, pay attention to the current!" The current snuck up on me at about 3.3 miles. Pulling me, pulling me to the right. Lots of people were swimming right next to the pylons. I aimed left and was able to maintain a good distance... that is as long as I kept aiming left. I passed more people. More pink and green caps. It felt along way until I saw the buoy for 4 miles... finally the buoys signaling the exit from under the bridge.... only 700 yards left!! Time to gun it and pick off every pink cap I could, especially the women! (I am a sprinter of course). It was longer than I thought. I saw people standing up with still 400 yards to go... keep swimming... head down!

I kept it up until the finish and manage to take down at least 4 other women. I swam until I touched the sand twice (thanks Glenn) and then stood up took 2 steps and ran out of the water right onto the finish chute!! I did it!

It was a great feeling. Long but actually I really enjoyed myself. Probably means I didn't work hard enough.... but there is always next year. I have already promised Kathy to do it. I missed her so much on this swim and have no doubt she'll crush it next year.

Thanks to my fellow Maine teammates: Gary, Amy, Evan, John, Simon, Mike, John and Kathy. Absolutely wouldn't have been as fun without all of you.

Final stats:

2nd AG /20

28th /179 women

150th OA

26:28 pace/mile

and yes I beat #658!

Great Chesapeake Bay Swim: Hemingway's or bust

2010-06-11T13:27:00.005-04:00

Can I stay in between the bridges with strong currents?

We leave at 4pm today for Maryland. Sunday is the race.

Hemingway's Marina is the finish point.

I have successfully been putting it out of my mind until now.

It's going to be long. It's going to hurt. It's going to be like nothing I have ever done before.

How's that for a prelude to turning 40?

I've done 3 miles in the ocean. It's exhausting.

But 4.4 miles along with 600 others and no room for error, yikes.

I sure hope the conditions are good.

After this I'm resting for a bit. Swimming for ME will be just swimming

for fun for a while. No "training". Just summer fun.

With Kathy's help I promise to bring back some good pictures.

Due to an injury she'll be cheering us on and snapping photos.

(and gathering info for next year when she'll win her age group!).

Live results at www.lin-mark.com

Here goes nothing!

B70 Vision: I'm a fan

2010-06-07T09:32:00.003-04:00

These goggles are great. The best I have worn for open water yet and also incredibly comfortable for pool swimming. I highly recommend these if you can get your hands on them. Swim 2000 just put out a promo code so try it : Sweet16 (save 16%).

In other news I have been swimming a lot of long distance lately -- relatively spaced out so as not to hurt my shoulder. So far I have been feeling good! I've gone 4 miles twice and 3 miles once so I feel prepared for the distance. The conditions of Chesapeake will be the wild card.

I had a lot of fun on Memorial Day weekend at he first and only Last Chance Meet in Westbrook -- aka the last chance to wear a USMS legal speed suit. Just for kicks I swam the 200 fly and 400 IM and am proud to say finished both without a DQ or obvious embarrassment. Phew. 2:37 for the 200 fly and 5:33 for the 400 IM. As Bill Jones, a 75-year old Maine Masters 200 fly expert told me, "Just keep thinking 'long and loose' and you'll make it". Great advice. He was right!

Maybe it will work for the Great Chesapeake Bay Swim next Sunday?

"Here I go again..." Anybody know who sang that line?

First summer swim on Crystal Lake

2010-05-23T18:28:00.004-04:00

The lake is exceptionally warm this year. Who says global warming isn't real? First we get half as much snow as Washington and New York, and now Crystal Lake is over 60 degrees before Memorial Day? Until I have ocean front property, I guess global warming is working for me.

Gary, John and I did 3 miles and it felt good. Also along for the ride were Jaime and Liz who went about 1.5 miles. It was crisp (read cold) at first but then felt good. The last 1/2 mile I did start to get cold again and get that numb lip almost slurry speech thing going on, but we were done so it didn't matter. I recommend the two bathing cap and one hoodie approach until it gets a bit warmer.

Looking forward to some more lake swims before the big race June 13th. Next training swim with my friend 'al fresco' ---> Friday 5/28 @6am. Cheers!

Distance training

2010-05-14T11:32:00.005-04:00

Basically to me this just means space out for an hour and keep swimming. I've taken the intensity down a gear and am just trying to get my body used to swimming without stopping (and save my shoulder). So far this week 6300 and tomorrow this is the workout. Not sure I'll get it all done but some is better than none.

warm 500 pull alt breath every 3

10 x 200

# 1 swim free :15 sec rest between 200's

# 2 kick fly on back

# 3 back swim

# 4 descend 50's free

# 5 descend 25's free

# 6 Negative split 100/100

#7 all out

# 8 ez pull

# 9 allout

# 10 ascend 25's

1500 mile swim each 500 10 sec faster

10 x 100 super set @ 1:25

sd 500

total 5500 yds

Going the Distance

2010-05-02T12:33:00.003-04:00

Enjoyed my first distance workouts this week. It is a huge shift for me from the intense rapid fire sprint training I have been doing all year. In fact I almost never have made this shift. Swimming the 1000 last week was eye-opening for me. I really enjoyed it. So much time to think and stretch out and just "be" in the race as opposed to have it "happen".

Yesterday I swam 5500 yards... The longest I have ever swum in a workout I think. It was rather nice although I do not think I could have done it without some good company.

Thought about zooming in on the tiles. Lots of time to really think about being in the water and just get into the rhythm of swimming. Feel the cadence of my breaths. Enjoy the bubbles underwater on turns. Stretch out and streamline.

My shoulder held up okay which I am very happy about. I took my speed down a whole gear so to speak and I think this not only allowed my shoulder to make it but also made the whole workout more enjoyable.

Goal for the GBSwim in June ... go the distance... long and strong.

Zones 2010: Short version

2010-05-01T11:15:00.004-04:00

I came I went I swam. After sitting in 90 minutes of traffic to go 10 miles that is. Got to love the city life. Got to the meet with 15 minutes to go before the first heat. Had to talk our way in. It worked! Needless to say I had lots of adrenaline revved up for the 1000.

12:31.33 in the 1000

39 MAINE MASTERS SW 12:30.00   12:31.33

31.97      1:07.05 (35.08)

1:43.13 (36.08)     2:20.44 (37.31)

2:58.29 (37.85)     3:36.38 (38.09)

4:14.91 (38.53)     4:53.09 (38.18)

5:31.68 (38.59)     6:10.61 (38.93)

6:49.40 (38.79)     7:28.23 (38.83)

8:07.02 (38.79)     8:46.30 (39.28)

9:25.19 (38.89)    10:03.66 (38.47)

10:41.99 (38.33)    11:19.91 (37.92)

11:56.52 (36.61)    12:31.33 (34.81)

56.6 in the 100 (bad turns and slow 2nd 50)

DQ in the 200 back. (If you miss a wall you miss it, there's no going back I learned).

I had the kids the whole time so that was interested.

After the 1000 on Friday night I let them get in the warm down pool which was in a separate room from the 2 main competition pools. No one was in the shallow end (4 feet or something). They were having a blast. Life was good. I was in the hot tub immediately adjacent "warming down". Two men commented how nice it was to see kids learning about competition and splashing around in the pool at the same time. Don't hear comments like this from men too often. And yet... the aquatic center manager kicked the kids out as some members of the general public thought it was unfair that they couldn't swim too. What?? I had paid for this. They were with me. He wouldn't even let them sit on the bench on the side of the pool. Umm... do you have a babysitting service or something. Like they are mine and are with me....

Anywho the meet was good. Got to meet Rob Butcher. Very cool.

Here's the nice pic we got. (Thanks Son!)

Son, Rich, Me and Rob Butcher

The Warm-Up Pool is Open: Future MESC recruits?

Another goggles update

2010-04-13T11:42:00.003-04:00

After wearing the Tyr Velocity goggles for the entire 3-days of the Harvard meet I would have to recommend against them for racing. The straps have an unreliable tightener that loosens as you wear it. I had to keep readjusting it for every race. As you can imagine it was a little nerve racking.

The Speedo Vanquishers, which I have always used in the past for racing, have a much better strap that doesn't loosen.

And now after wearing the Tyr Socket Rockets for several weeks in practice I would continue to give them a good review for reduced goggle marks as well as no leakage. They have worked much better than the Swedes, which always leaked on my smaller face. For now this is my answer to the raccoon eyes problem!

Looking back at the meet...

2010-04-05T10:22:00.005-04:00

400 Mixed 25+ Medley relay - New National Record (Alina, Jessica, Mike, Nate)

After watching the relay video far too many times (my kids keep asking and how can I resist that?), I can see what others were saying to me.

1. I need to work on my turns. My legs are too wide when they hit the wall and aren't even streamlined off the wall.

2. Relay starts! Time to get with the program and do the wind-up and not be afraid of DQ-ing.

3. Work on breakouts.

4. My arms really are a bit too wide on my strokes. I want to play around with bringing them in a bit.

Today I was back in the pool after a week off to rest and relax after the meet. Swam a long and easy 2700. I need to ramp up for the Great Bay swim but think I will wait until after April vacation so my shoulder gets a bit of a break. I am going to say it here for all to hear.... I promise to religiously do my shoulder strengthening exercises everyday!!

Video of 200 MIxed 18+ Free relay

2010-03-29T19:02:00.004-04:00

Too cool - Thanks Matt! I am honored to swim with all of you....

200 Mixed 18+ Free Relay

Meet report: New England Short Course Yards Champs at Harvard 2010

2010-03-29T15:04:00.003-04:00

Bewitched.

That is what I feel like today.

With a twinkle of my nose I might revert back to a sprinter in my infallible speedsuit and pop out a fast 50.

Again another intoxicating meet. The smell of neoprene, chlorine and the heat... oh my the heat.

I found again that I could surprise myself and swim faster than I ever thought possible.

12 swims- 7 individual, 5 relays.

6 Personal Bests in the individuals

2 New England records in the relays

1 National record in the 400 medley relay.

Is it all just mind over (aging) body?

At age 39, possibly, yes I believe so. And so I'll keep along with this belief. I'll step up my strength training, do more sprint specific training and keep the positive psychology rolling.

But also, of course, I know that I can't continue swimming faster and faster every championship. I see my more mature teammates nonetheless breaking records and enjoying myself. But still, that must be a hurdle to get over... when it comes.

I asked Jackie Hirsty, of RI Swims, a record holder in multiple age groups who has been swimming Masters for over 30 years how she has adjusted to this. She said, in essence, you need to stop thinking about what you have done and start focusing on what you can do relative to your peers. I think she's right, but it is kind of ironic since we spend so much time trying to only compare our performances to OUR best and not to others.

Okay enough of that .....

On to the race report.

Friday started with the 50 free, one of my favorite events. Hard to swim without a warm-up event however. Let the mental games begin. I was seeded second for my age group. Good.

Took it so I'd have nothing left. 25.18, an all time best for me. 2nd AG

However unbeknownst to me a speedster 3 heats ahead of my had blasted her seed time of 29.8 and gone 24.8 and took the NE record. This would be a theme for later events...

100 IM- I was warmed up now.. 1:05.96. I had the fastest split at the 50 (28.9) but darn that breaststroke! Something to work on... still an all time best for me. 3rd AG.

400 Mixed 35+ Free Relay - 3:29.47 New England record (1 second off National record).

our splits 47.2, 56.3, 56.1 and 49.6 -- smokin' fast teammates Mike, Mary and Tim.

Saturday

50 Fly - I was ready mentally and physically to blast this one. I wanted the NE Record which was 27.41 and I had just missed it last year. I had a great swim 27.23 (2nd)- I was just shocked looking at the scoreboard, but yup that speedy Brandy Hugo did one better and went 26.85 taking 3 seconds off her seed time. Still it was an all time personal best for me!

400 Mixed 25+ Medley relay - this is the one that really was, well, unbelievable. A National record... by 3 seconds and no thanks to my measly 100 free (which I was informed needs a lot of work on my turns and starts... duly noted!). I was, and am, honored to swim in this company.

Maine Masters-NE  'A'               3:50.00    3:43.20U

1) Ross, Michael M41

2) r:+0.12 Stevens, Nate M27

3) r:+0.19 Knight Beers, ica W29

4) r:+0.42 Perez-Smith, Aina W39

 24.58        50.96 (50.96)

1:17.10 (26.14)     1:47.80 (56.84)

2:15.06 (27.26)     2:46.64 (58.84)

3:12.65 (26.01)     3:43.20 (56.56)

200 back - I did this just for fun, and it was! I took it out easy and it felt so good I was surprised. 2:30.8 (5th)

200 Mixed 18+ Free relay - again another New England record. I am happy to say I rose to occasion and blasted out a 24.81.

Sunday

My energy was waning. I felt out of gas. This truly was a day for mind over body.

But I was there so why not swim right?

100 fly - 1:03.11 - my only non-PR but I'd take it given how tired I was. (2nd)

800 Mixed Free Relay - I needed a time for the 200 and there was a chance to break a NE record. We missed it by 1.6 seconds. Ugh. I pulled out the best I could but given I hadn't swum it in 19 years, 2:09.9, well sorry guys!

50 back - less than 15 minutes after the 800 free relay. 30.53- a PR! (2nd)

100 free - gave it all I had at 5pm on Sunday after 3 days of swimming. 56.07 - .1 off my all time PR - Just like the 100 fly I've got to work on the second 50 - first 50 split was a 26.38 and the second a 29.69. (2nd)

and finally....

200 Mixed 25+ Medley relay - another New England record. With these kind of teammates they make it look easy. Our splits: 23.7 (back), 28.69 (breast), 27.3 (fly, me) and 24.3 (free).

Go Blue Lobsters! We won the meet. Lots of good conversations and catching up with friends. Thanks to all my teammates so really make this so much fun....

Top 10 in the WORLD!!!!

2010-03-22T08:27:00.002-04:00

That's little old me listed as #10 in the WORLD last year in the 50 meter freestyle AG 35-39 according to FINA.....

Unbelievable!! Nice way to say good bye to 39 I guess :)

[35-39]50m Freestyle Women Short Course
Rank	Full Name	Country	Time
1	CRAY Zoe	GBR	26.37
2	ABERG Helena	SWE	27.06
3	SCHUBERT Manuela	GER	27.16
4	MAYVILLE-ARMAS J	USA	27.20
5	BRAUN Erika	USA	27.28
6	PEREZ Maria	ESP	27.29
7	FORNI Maddalena	ITA	27.33
8	VERGANI Valeria	ITA	27.39
9	IWASHITA Midori	JPN	27.42
10	PEREZ-SMITH Alina	USA	27.47

Goggles: Update

2010-03-22T08:08:00.004-04:00

Speedo Women's Vanquisher - $13.75 -Still the tried and true. However don't get smoke-- it is too dark!

Tyr Femme Crystalflex $14.70 - In a word -- pathetic. I don't know who reviewed these for Swimmer mag, but maybe it was a 6 year old because I think that is who is going to get my pair. They stunk. Leaked off every wall despite numerous adjustments. Couldn't make it through the whole workout. Don't bother with these. They were just completely disappointing!

Tyr Socket Rockets - $6.55 - I like these. The have a comfortable silicone feeling overlay on the eye piece. It is thin and helps keep the "socket" suctioned to the face. And while they still leave some marks on my face after a workout, they are less noticeable and fade much more quickly than with the Vanquisher's.

Late addition.....

Tyr Velocity - $16.00 - this is what I will probably be wearing for Harvard as I had to return the green smoke Vanquishers. I like the Velocity goggles. Good tight fit and no leaking on starts ( I did at least 20 starts today). The straps are a bit too long but I think some scissors can fix that. They do leave goggle marks, but it seems impossible for a racing goggle not to. Overall a good choice.

Still have yet to try the Barracuda and Aquasphere goggles that readers recommended... up next along with open water goggles!

Goggles: Still on a quest

2010-03-07T08:58:00.003-05:00

After burning out one pair of goggles, losing one and breaking another -- all in the last 2 weeks -- I am down to one lone pair of clear Speedo Vanquishers salvaged from the lost and found. They are fine -- I wore them to BU in the fall -- but the anti-fog is gone and I can hardly see the clock. So again I am on a quest. Mostly I need a pair that doesn't leave me looking like a raccoon face after practice. Unfortunately, that tender under eye skin doesn't bounce back the way it used to at 15.

Here are the finalists: (all prices from Swim2000.com)

Speedo Women's Vanquisher - $13.75 -the tried and true standby for racing. Have to get another pair for Harvard. Even though they are the worst offenders for goggle marks, they are my favorite for racing.

Tyr Femme Crystalflex $14.70 - promised to leave no goggle marks along with "good visibility" and greater peripheral vision, according to testers for Swimmer mag (Jan/Feb 2010).

Tyr Socket Rockets - $6.55 - I'm going to try these as an alternative to the Swedes which everyone recommends for no goggle marks, but really hurt my eyes because they were too big for my eye sockets.

If you have another good candidate let me know. I will test all these and post my findings in a month or so.

New Maine Open Water Race!

2010-03-02T19:27:00.002-05:00

From the organizers....

It is our pleasure to introduce the first annual NUBBLE LIGHT CHALLENGE, taking place on Saturday morning , July 10, 2010. This year’s event will include a USAT (USA Triathlon) sanc tioned 2.4 mile swim race around the “Nubble”. It will be open to 100 swimmers. and 100 kay aker escorts. The race starts on Long Sands Beach and continues out past the Nubble Lighthouse, one of the most photographed lighthouses in the US, swimming through the “gut”, the channel between the lighthouse island and the mainland. The race finishes with a sprint to Short Sands Beach. There will be food from local restaurants and awards following the race at the York Beach ball field which is one block from Short Sands Beach.

The proceeds from the race will benefit the Maine Chapter of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that one in four adults will experi ence a mental health disorder in a given year. Many types of mental illnesses are hereditary and research shows that children raised by parents with depression or other mental illnesses are more likely to suffer the same symptoms as they grow into adulthood. The U.S. Surgeon General re ports that 10% of children and adolescents suffer from a serious mental health disorder that se verely impacts their daily life at home, at school, and with their peers. Early identification and treatment is imperative to minimize the impact mental illness has on the individual, their family, and the community. NAMI provides educational programs and support to families that are di rectly affected by mental illness. They also educate schools and community agencies by identify ing the symptoms and early warning signs of mental illnesses. Your contribution for the swim will benefit these local programs.

NUBBLE LIGHT CHALLENGE is a non-profit organization established in 2010, to raise funds for the benefit our community based organizations by promoting an annual athletic event. Our goal is to promote a safe and quality event that will be competitive for those trying to establish personal goals as well as those satisfied with the goal of finishing.

The NUBBLE LIGHT CHALLENGE will be exciting, fun and rewarding for all who participate. Spectators will be able to cheer the swimmers on from the rocks at Sohier Park overlooking the “gut”. There will also be great viewing from Ocean Avenue Extension that parallels the swim mers as they head to the finish.

Registration for the event will open March 15, 2010. You can register online atwww.nubblelightchallenge.com. We will send out an email updating the registration date.

We are very excited and committed to making this an amazing day.

Psych sheets for Harvard SCY Champs are up

2010-02-24T22:05:00.001-05:00

Psych sheets are up!

Check out how you stack up against the competition.

Yes, swimming can be boring

2010-02-16T15:08:00.003-05:00

I know I am supposed to be all 'rah rah!' about swimming here. And usually I really do feel that way... energized with that 'good tired' feeling, feeling the fire of competition and striving for more more more! But today... well I can see why triathletes and non-swimmers find swimming so boring. I showed up to lap swim today. It was me, two elderly men and my neighbor Sarah who just happened to show up. I had the lane all to myself, so no reason to complain there. I even had my new money suit on, so that should have been reason enough to feel good. But god, swimming alone without my teammates was so just so....well BORING. I warmed up for as long as I could possibly stand. 9 minutes. (great.) Then I kicked on my back butterfly for as long as I could. 14 minutes. (better.) But then I just headed for the hot tub. Defeated. I need vacation to be over and I need my team back!!!

So for all you triathletes and non-Masters swimmers out there, the moral of this lame post is JOIN A TEAM!

Top 10 Times US Masters Swimming 2009

2010-02-12T19:51:00.005-05:00

I'm happy to say I've made several 2009 Top 10 times both for SCY and SCM in the 35-39 AG.

We'll see what 2010 holds....

SCY Top 10

50 fly - 27.80 (9th)

100 fly - 1:02.53 (9th)

SCM Top 10

50 fly - 29.85 (2nd)

50 free - 27.47 (3rd)

100 free - 1:02.49 (4th)

100 fly - 1:11.09 (3rd)

100 IM - 1:13.50 (8th)

Get a suit for $20

2010-02-12T15:25:00.003-05:00

Great deal at Splish right now. Grab bag suits for $20....

I just got one with hundred dollar bills all over it.

Maybe that means good $$$karma is coming my way.

I can live with that :)

Bath Tuffin' Up Meet 2010

2010-02-07T20:13:00.005-05:00

Maria's second swim meet. As an 8 year old she rocked the 100 free, 50 free, 50 back and 50 breast swimming with kids all the way up to 18 years old. I'm a proud Mom!

10 Reasons I'm Sad About Not being Able to Wear Speedsuits After June 1st

2010-02-05T08:48:00.007-05:00

10. I'm miss that neoprene smell

9. Compression -- a good thing for a 40-year old

8. That full body super hero look

7. The full body workout I got putting it on -seriously 15 minutes of huffing and puffing

6. Looking mean and lean

5. Won't be able to ask strangers, "Would you mind zipping me up?"

4. Won't be able to ask strangers, "Would you mind unzipping me?"

3. They just made me feel young again.

2. That electric rush of doing something new and different

1. Well - duh -- they're damn fast in the pool

Chesapeake Bay Swim!

2010-01-11T13:55:00.000-05:00

Yikes!

Congratulations, you are selected in round one of the lottery entry process. PLEASE PROCEED TO OUR WEB SITE. Log on with the email and password you used to enter the lottery.

Then proceed with entry process and charging of your entry fee. In the right hand column of our website are event featured links. The direct Registration button is there.

Please email or fax your swim documentation as detailed in the Lottery Guidelines.

Linda A. Toretsky
Great Chesapeake Bay Swim
Swim Processing Coordinator

Swim Calendar

2010-01-11T09:56:00.003-05:00

This is a great resource that my friend Rob from CA has posted on his blog.

He has trolled all the websites of LMSC and posted meets from all across

the country in this handy calendar. Nice! Thanks Rob!

See the Robaquatics Swim Calendar here.

Book reviews

2010-01-10T09:56:00.006-05:00

For those of you with kids (and who also love swimming.. but of course you would not be reading this if you did not) this is a fun book that I stumbled on at the library. It was a rave with the girls and me.

Mermaid Queen: The Spectacular True Story of Annette Kellerman, Who Swam Her Way to Fame, Fortune, and Swimsuit History. illus. by Edwin Fotheringham. unpaged. reprods. CIP. Scholastic. Apr. 2009.

Here is the review from the School Library Journal...

"Gr 2-5–Kellerman’s name might not be familiar, but this rule-breaking, high-diving, early fashionista will inspire students. Her difficulties walking as a child, which are only hinted at in the book’s illustrations, drove her father to try to strengthen her legs through swimming lessons. In the early 1900s, before women were allowed to compete in the Olympics, her hard-earned athleticism drew more criticism than compliments. Swimming? Unladylike! Record setting? For the boys! Eager to do something more artistic with her abilities, Annette invented water ballet, and her acrobatic feats drew crowds. Each event described is interesting, but what really shines is Kellerman’s persistent refusal to rest on her laurels. After her attempt to be the first woman to swim the English Channel, and performing for kings and queens, she went on to pioneer the modern woman’s bathing suit, which led to her arrest in the U.S. Fotheringham’s glorious artwork is filled with period details and dress, high-dives and stunts, and priceless expressions on the faces of amazed audiences. The extensive back matter details Kellerman’s further accomplishments and includes citations. This well-written and brightly illustrated account is a perfect pearl."

Of course after this find I had to hear more about this interesting woman and find some grown up books. It turns out there is also a recent biography out entitled The Original Million Dollar Mermaid by Emily Gibson.

And best of all Annette appears to have written a few of her own books, wilst dazzling crowds with her water ballet and being a vaudeville performer. She is credited with creating the first modern "bathing suit" for women. She was even arrested in Boston near the turn of the century for wearing it in public! She had to sew in stockings to cover her legs (see below).

I think her 1918 book How to Swim would be a great gift for any female swimming addict. In fact I've already ordered a copy as a present for a historian friend.

If you have time check out these short videos of her vaudeville days... Neptune's Daughter.

Happy Reading!

Straight swim

2010-01-08T08:42:00.003-05:00

Today we completed 35 x 100 on 1:30... the interval felt good but boy my back was aching by the end. We've got a new swimmer who already is kicking my butt and he is not even working that hard. Watch out! It is going to be a good season I think.

New Years Resolution

2010-01-04T12:09:00.005-05:00

It is time to start living the life you've imagined.

-Henry James

Cool quote eh?

I love this picture....

I washed the windows and took the screens down this morning. Much better view of the outside world and so much more light! (Us Northerners get kinda desperate this time of year).

Rest week

2009-12-18T04:29:00.002-05:00

It's a well deserved rest week. Ya know sleeping in, lounging around, eating lots of treats... Only it's not quite shaking out that way. First there is no way to sleep later than 5am in my house. If it isn't my son singing Frosty the Snowman at that ungodly hour (he tells me he is a fisherman and fishermen get up early - however I pointed out that they do not sing Frosty the Snowman, really they are very very quiet so they can surprise the fish, and he considered that seriously for a moment and then agreed with me so perhaps there is hope), then its my friend insomnia whose come to visit. Ugh!

As a result I swam anyways on Wednesday. I missed my swim friends. I missed the hot tub. I missed getting out of the house before the morning chaos ensued.

Today I'm sleeping in. Except it is 4:32am.

This is not right!

Meet Report: New England Short Course Meters Championships at BU

2009-12-14T15:40:00.013-05:00

I know this can't keep happening. It cannot last. I do really know that. Change is a constant. And this weekend it just happened to be in my favor.

The BU pool was really spectacular. Clean and warm and spacious. Plenty of seating, all with good views. Friday night I drove down with Katie who was swimming the 800 free. It was a nice way for me to get in the right mindset for Saturday and Sunday and really fun to hand out with Katie. She did a great strong and steady 800 ad I was proud of her. We were out of the pool by 6:30 and on our way to dinner with Mary, the Iron Matron, in the burbs.

Saturday walking it I was greeted by 12 of my Lighthouse Masters teammates and more than 30 of our Maine Masters teammates. I think we are the most diverse team geographically with members from CT, MA, NH and ME. Our team is just fun, what can we say? I am really proud that my fellow workout teammates -- Jim, Gary, Claire, Ted, Katie, Julie, Liz, Jim B., and Peter -- all made it down for the meet (for many of them their first meet) along with Coach Kerry.

So it was hot, we had great conversation, many laughs, devoured juicy gossip, saw amazing swims... what we all look forward to at a Masters meet. I got to meet my current swim idol -- Karlyn Pipes-Neilsen, world record holder and swim goddess -- and even swim next to her in the 100 fly. She asked me what my goal was for that event just before we got on the blocks. Um... have fun, keep my eyes on your feet for as long as possible. She of course broke a world record right there next to me. For a moment I shared in the glory as if it was me who had broke the WR -- I mean I was right there in the same water and shook her hand after just like in the Olympics. Doesn't get much better than that, unless of course you are breaking the record.

On the blocks (me in white) with Karlyn (in pink).

Ready set go!

Me and my hero, WR holder Karlyn Pipes-Neilsen, after the 100 fly by the warm down pool.

Unexpectedly I did get taste of that later in the day. After I stalked Karlyn in the warm down pool and got my picture taken with her (yes I am a dork!) she gave me a brand new XTerra fast suit. It was tight as all get out. It took 15 minutes to put on and I nearly pulled 7 muscles getting it on. But once it was on, I didn't know the ride I was in for. My last event on Saturday was the 50 free. I didn't even get in the pool with the Xterra before the race. Right on the blocks. Coach was putting the pressure on all of us for this race. He wanted good times out of all of us since he had sat around all day (note of sarcasm). I was seeded in Lane 10. Kinda sucks but I decided I was gonna smoke it anyways. Karlyn was in the middle and another speedy MESC swimmer Jessica Knight was in the mix too. I just went gangbusters. I was in first at the turn!! I saw Gary, Ted and Jim cheering for me on the edge of the pool (benefit of Lane 10 I guess) and I just whipped my arms as hard as I could and kicked like I was shaking a rabid dog off my legs. Into the wall full speed.... 27.47!! (3rd place OA). I found out later it was also broke a NE Record set by swimming legend Jacki Hirsty in 1990. Jeez... I felt kinda bad when I met her afterwards. She is one amazing lady.

Other times..

100 meter fly 1:11.22

50 meter fly 29.85 (NE record)

100 meter free 1:02.49 (NE record)

100 meter IM 1:13.50

Now really what is best about these meets it having the team come together for relays.

I did three with fellow speedsters Jessica Knight, Son Nguyen, Anne Uecker, Cherly Kupan, Cheryl Daly and more. We got two more meet records out of those relays.

So all in all if I can keep swimming like this I am looking forward to turning 40 next year!

Thanks to my teammates for keeping it all real! You all are the best.

Go Blue Lobsters!

Oh yeah, we won the meet too :)

Mary and I: Check out the superhero suits!

NE SCM Champs Meet preview

2009-12-08T18:39:00.004-05:00

The psych sheets are up!

I don't know how particularly "psyched" I am for this meet. Not sure how fast I will swim. But I did surprise myself in March at the SCY champs so I'll go in with the attitude that it will be fun to see friends and hang out in a steaming hot pool building all day waiting for my events. I mean, really, what could be more fun? I guess only for us die hard swimmers this is considered fun.

My seeds:

OA / AG

100 IM 41/6

200 free 13/3

100 fly 3/1

50 free 16/3

50 fly 6/2

100 free 13/3

I am very happy because we have 12 people from out workout group going including our coach. From Maine we have about 50+ people going which I think is a record for us. We usually win this meet but have to contend with the NY Red Tide team who are usually pretty well stacked.

Lottery opens today!

2009-12-07T08:16:00.002-05:00

The 4.4 mile Chesapeake Great Bay Swim lottery opens today.

10 Maine swimmers going for it. If we get in we have the privledge

of paying $250 to swim the churning waters of the Bay on

June 13, 2010.

Are you in?

Strength training

2009-11-25T09:42:00.004-05:00

I have been getting to the pool early at 5:15 M W F for the last two months to do strength training. Before practice starts at 5:45 I get in as much strength training as I can. This has consisted of shoulder stabilization exercises, crunches on the ball, triceps, bicepts, lats (when my shoulders are okay), stroking with cords, fly on the ball... and when I have time leg curls and quads. I have mostly been focusing on the cord work but now that I have got a routine down I want to "kick it up a notch". In a word...

Plyometrics.

Time to work on explosive power and speed off the blocks and turns.

Plyometrics is practiced most often by runners but has become popular with swimmers too. The evidence for it significantly improving swim times is mixed. Dara Torres made a name for resistence stretching, but since I don't have a cadre of private stretchers and massage therapists I am going to try the plyometrics.

One of the most common plyometric exercises for swimmers involves jumping onto a wooden box while throwing a medicine ball up in the air. Other variations include jump squats (again with the medicine ball), dumbell squat jumps, and box jumps without the ball (see Swimming World, 12/09).

The other resources I will use as I plot my training regimen include the new book Swimming Anatomy (which is being heavily marketed to swimmers this holiday season) and Dr. Chu's website which has a good (albeit too long) plan already laid out.

Given that I don't think I'll get that much faster on technique alone and that all my competition seems to be taller and stronger than me already, it is time to get serious about strength!

National ranking!!

2009-11-23T11:49:00.002-05:00

I was thrilled to discover last week that I have made the 35-39 AG Top 10 national times for 2009 in two events.

I am #9 in the 50 yards fly (27.8) and #9 in the 100 yards fly (1:02.53).

Now I may never have a national record or even a New England record, but if I can keep a national ranking year to year in at least one event I'll be plenty happy.

2009 Greater Portland Swimmers Riverton SCM Meet Report

2009-11-17T20:33:00.006-05:00

Son and Simon after tying in the 200 breaststroke at 2:47.90 (Photo by Cheryl Daly)

Great meet to shake off the nerves and get used to 25 meters, which I have concluded is decidedly more difficult than 25 yards.

This was a small meet with about 30-35 Maine Masters (MESC) in attendance. That being said, people traveled from as far away as Rockland, New Hampshire and Connecticut to swim. We had national record holders in attendance and swimmers of all ages. Basically a typical MESC meet!

I had a little extra challenge to my focus and concentration this day though. As my husband was sick, my choice was not go to the meet OR bring all three cherubs along with me (ages 8, 6 and 4). My kids are always up for an adventure, so we packed up our backpacks with all manner of sundry play items and headed out at 9:30.

First up was a great swim clinic led by Mike Schmidt, President of MESC and Facebook phobe. In spite of that fact, he's a damn fast swimmer and had some interesting thoughts on flipturns. I've been following Karlyn Pipes-Neilsen's advice on turns and practicing her "weapons of destruction" by not curling up too tight and putting my feet shoulder width apart on the wall for a more stable push off. Mike suggested curling up a bit more compactly and keeping one's hands closer to the head. I am going to have to play around with this technique I think.

Doug Pride, the other leader of the clinic, is well known for his ability to swim more than 1/2 way down the pool underwater in fly events. At this meet I had the fortunate/unfortunate experience of swimming next to him for the 100 meter fly which he finished in 58 seconds -- I on the other hand finished in a very painful 1:12 with a most pathetic third turn and last 5 meters. Anywho... Doug made the astute observation that my legs are way apart on my entry off the blocks ... another thing to work on.

As for the events, I felt I did okay besides the fly fiasco. Never ever have I experienced such pain and exhaustion swimming. I could barely get my arms out of the water for that last 5 meters. I have newfound respect for all the 200 flyers out there.

100 meter free was next after about 10 minutes rest. 1:05 ... got a second wind on the last 25 meters and decided I had to beat the 60 year old guy next to me. I hope I am swimming that fast at 60!

50 meter fly... just not feeling it today in the fly but did okay with 32.17. Son was right there behind me at 33

50 free ... my son came up just as I stepped on the block saying "Mommy, mommy". Ummm not now son. Within 3 seconds the horn went off. 30.06 Later he told me he just wanted to tell me he'd cheer for me. So cute!

After I finished I let the kids get in the warm down lane and splash around. They had a ball.

This day made me truly appreciative of my kids who did such as great job entertaining themselves all day and all my teammates who didn't bat an eye with 3 kids running around and pitched in to help entertain them (thanks Jim and Roxy!)

By the time we showered and congratulated the 1650 competitiors it was 3:30. We were all exhausted and celebrated with a special dinner out in a yummy and cozy gourmet pizza place. Great finish to a memorable day. In bed by 6:30 ... got to love that!

Which wetsuit?

2009-11-09T12:54:00.003-05:00

Well I am sad to tell everyone out there the truth....

Don't buy an ORCA wetsuit.

I have now had 2 that have failed due to design flaws.
The first one -- an ORCA Evo -- ripped at the neck after 1 month of wear.
They honored the warranty and replaced it with an ORCA Sonar.
Although I have owned it for 2 years I have only worn it for 6 months (summers are short here in Maine).

After those 6 months of wear the painted shoulders cracked right through the neoprene, leaving the suit with over a dozen tears. Now mind you I wash it after every wear with fresh water. I dry it inside out first and then right side out lying flat. All winter I store it flat in a temperate clean area. I take good care of it, ya know?

ORCA however has decided that since I am outside the 1 year warranty period that they will not replace it.
No matter that other people I know that have had the same ORCA model and only worn it for one season have had the same issue.

So I need some help.

What is best wetsuit for me?
I want something I can both train in and race in.
It needs to be able to handle lots of wear and can't be too fussy.
But it should be fast.
It needs to keep me warm in 57 degree Maine water.
It also has to fit a petite 5'5" frame.

I have been suggested to take a look at the B70 Helix or Synergie and some of the 2XU Comp ... but can't try them on as the local shop is out of stock in my size.

So what do you think? Ideas please.....

Time to build more pools...

2009-10-20T12:43:00.002-04:00

More evidence that football is not only a huge waste of money but of lives too...

See the full article by Malcom Gladwell of The New Yorker, OFFENSIVE PLAY, How different are dogfighting and football?

from the article...
McKee got up and walked across the corridor, back to her office. “There’s one last thing,” she said. She pulled out a large photographic blowup of a brain-tissue sample. “This is a kid. I’m not allowed to talk about how he died. He was a good student. This is his brain. He’s eighteen years old. He played football. He’d been playing football for a couple of years.” She pointed to a series of dark spots on the image, where the stain had marked the presence of something abnormal. “He’s got all this tau. This is frontal and this is insular. Very close to insular. Those same vulnerable regions.” This was a teen-ager, and already his brain showed the kind of decay that is usually associated with old age. “This is completely inappropriate,” she said. “You don’t see tau like this in an eighteen-year-old. You don’t see tau like this in a fifty-year-old.”

Warmer days

2009-10-14T16:24:00.002-04:00

Speaking of warmer days... here is a picture just released of our Lighthouse Masters group on Peaks Island before the 28th Annual Peaks to Portland race this summer. We were 20 strong. Our finishers ranged from 31st place to 204th place, age 32 to age 62 with four age group winners. Way to go team!

USMS response to FINA speedsuit ruling

2009-10-14T07:31:00.002-04:00

I have to agree with others that this letter was just baffling. Why would I want to buy a technical suit now, when I can only use it ostensibly for a few more months? Are sponsors breathing down the neck of USMS?

U.S. Masters Swimming Statement on Swimsuits
10/11/09
Contact: Rules Committee Chair, Kathy Casey, rules@usms.org

Dear Swimmer ,

The FINA Masters Committee has recommended that the FINA Bureau, meeting in mid-January, approve its recommendation that Masters swimmers be governed by the same swimsuit rules as the elite pool swimmers. If the Bureau approves the committee's recommendation, it is anticipated it would go into effect after the Bureau meeting. If this recommendation becomes policy with the FINA Bureau, USMS will implement it for our sanctioned swim meets.

For the time being and until the FINA Bureau issues its policy for Masters, the June 1, 2009 ruling that allowed technical suits in USMS swim meets is still in effect. If you choose to compete in a USA Swimming sanctioned meet, you must follow USA Swimming rules.

If you would like more information on purchasing technical suits, you may contact your swimsuit dealer or any of the following:

blueseventy; blueseventy.com
FINIS; finisinc.com
Speedo; speedo.com
TYR; tyr.com

Example ... Long term goals

2009-10-13T12:04:00.002-04:00

Lois Kivi Nochman shows us how it is done at age 85-89 age group.

Will there be any records left to break by the time I get there?

Long term goals

2009-10-12T19:24:00.003-04:00

What kind of goals are worthy?

I've been thinking about this lately.

My goals in the pool seem so much more urgent than those for open water. I mean, I just go out there and swim in open water races. Those goals are so much more dependent on the forces...weather, waves, temperature, number of swimmers. But in the pool. Oh yeah. If I set a goal and don't make it, I feel terrible. Even if I don't swim my fastest time. There is no cheating the clock.

So with all this in mind I am resetting my long term goals. I know the pool goals will still vex me. I'll just have to keep swimming different events and mixing it up.

My long term goal is to be doing what I do now at age 60....65... 70... older. I have role models. Take Roxy. She is 59 and has done Alcatraz three times. Wants to do it again. Yowza.

I am always inspired by the stories of older Masters swimmers doing amazing things. Just that they are still out there swimming. I hope I am.

More motivation to comeback...

2009-10-11T14:48:00.002-04:00

Dara Torres says knee surgery, which could take her out of the pool for up to a year and a half, may give her more motivation to make a comeback for the 2012 London Olympics. Still my idol...

More race pictures...

2009-09-28T10:57:00.004-04:00

Post swim cheering on athletes in transition before I got too cold and had to head back to the pool.

Carry coming in for the win!

Pictures by Beth Rand Photography.

CELT 2009 Race report

2009-09-27T21:33:00.006-04:00

425 yards in the pool, 14 miles on the bike and 5K trail run.
Short and sweet... it rained a lot.
And it rained some more.
And then we won first relay overall thanks to our astounding races by Lorenzo, 2nd fastest bike OA, and Carry, fastest runner OA!
I broke out the FS Pro speed suit as I probably won't be able to wear it at any Masters meets this year. Got close to John in the water but he was too fast. But then my speedy little legs caught him on the way out on the run. Sorry dude! Not even close to Steve. Not sure that will ever happen.
Way to go team. Congrats to Katie (OA women's winner) Mary, Stacey, Jeff (OA men's winner), Mike (who finally got to beat Mary) and Team Brady-McCusker (Family Relay winners).

Here's to more fun relays next year.
Final stats:
Swim: 5:10 (fastest woman OA)
Bike: 38:17
Run: 20:07

It must be the 1st day of Masters

2009-09-14T04:44:00.003-04:00

2:36 am ... I am sleeping so fine. I am a great sleeper. No problem falling asleep and I never feel sluggish. Naps. I love them.

But little people waking me up in the night being scared or because of pee problems... well that pretty much wrecks the rest of the night. So here I am at 4:48am wide awake eating a banana and a glass of chocolate milk, ready for the 1st day of Masters. No matter that I only got 5 1/2 hours of sleep. Three more months of hard training ahead, then a short break and then two more months. Yup that is it... swim season. No more basking in the warm sunlight swimming in the sea of inspiration, traveling to exciting races with "shark" or "island" or "escape" in the banners. Nope. Back to the chlorine and hairballs and 5am morning practices and leaving the house in sub-zero weather and snowstorms to get to the pool. I'm leaving behind the intoxicating smell of neoprene and that stunning superhero look.

But if there is anything good about buckling down for a long cold New England winter, it is getting back with all my Masters teammates. Without them I'm quite sure I wouldn't be having so much fun.

Here I go!

YTD yardage totals

2009-09-06T20:18:00.003-04:00

January: 22,400

February: 23,500

March: 26,000

April: 21,800

May: 30, 510

June: 28,165

July: 32,025

August: 19,305

Rockland Breakwater race report or Starfish 1.4 mile or Tropical Storm Danny Race

2009-08-29T16:28:00.003-04:00

The Breakwater on a sunny day... not at all what it looked like today.

Imagine if you can ....
Seas 4-6 feet. White caps. Constant driving chop. Wind speed 20 m.p.h. Pelting rain. Air 53. Water 60. Oh yeah, Tropical Storm Danny was bearing down on little ol' Rockland Maine.

But I make this sound more exciting than it was. Once we got in the water all that disappeared and all that was left was 60 degree water that felt goood and a little swim with lots of fun people including my pals the IronMatron and Kathy the Alcatraz escapee.

On account of the weather conditions the race was shortened from an upside down "J" loop around the lighthouse to a straight 1.4 mile out and back along the breakwater (down from a 1.6 mile). The breakwater did it's job and completely protected us from the crashing surf and monster waves on the other side. On our side it was mostly flat and warm with the only inconvenience being a multitude of lobster pots. Can't get more Maine than that.

They had the Rockland Police, a Rockland EMT, the Marine Patrol, the Coast Guard and a whole slew of lifeguards and kayakers. We were watched over.

I was arm for arm with Mike and Dave for about .3 miles, which was fun but I had to apologize because I kept knocking into them as they created a wave that kept pulling me closer to them. After that I went closer to the breakwater to cut down on the distance I ultimately would swim and lost them. For the rest of race I was alone mostly. On the way back along the breakwater were dozens of starfish which were a pleasant distraction.

It all went by pretty quickly..... I apologize for the lack of pictures but it was too rainy and cold to even attempt any photography (pictures are from last year).

Final stats:
3rd OA
1st woman
time tba....

And congrats to Mary who was 2nd woman in the 1.6, Cheryl who was 1st woman in the 3.2 and Kathy who was 2nd woman in the 3.2 mile race! that's a no "gomer" zone. Way to swim hard women!

New header

2009-08-24T22:03:00.002-04:00

ya like?

Features Kathy (orange) and I (green) swimming to Richmond Island earlier this summer on a gorgeous and calm Sunday morning.

This was one of those summer swims that gets me through the long dark and frigid days in January.

Climate change?

2009-08-24T21:13:00.005-04:00

From WCSH in Portland Maine...
"As of 7PM another 0.17" of rain had been recorded at the Portland Jetport. This brought the monthly precipitation total to 3.45" and the meteorological summer (June, July & August) total to 20.61" which is the wettest summer ever."

The ocean here in Portland has topped 70 degrees Farenheit many times in the last two weeks, just as The New York Times reported the warmest ocean temperatures ever this July.

Today the body surfing was amazing today thanks to Hurricane Bill, while yesterday the beaches were closed due to the tremendous and dangerous waves. A 7-year old girl died in Acadia National Park after being swept away at Thunder Hole by a rogue wave along with her parents. She was found dead later. Kind of puts it all in perspective.

Alcatraz Sharkfest 2009 Race Report

2009-08-17T20:45:00.007-04:00

Here's the thing.

It is totally do-able.

Now I know. There is a lot of hype around this race. But the truth is.... you could do it too.

It was FUN. Kathy and I got there early. Probably too early. Like 5:45. Alcatraz was still shrouded in fog with the lighthouse beacon still cutting out over the sea. Slowly people trickled in and by 6:55 we took our last trip to the porta-john and suited up. It was cold so it felt good to be covered in neoprene. The pre-race talk didn't give much in the way of direction as I had been lead to believe and hoped. They joked about beach closings in Santa Cruz and other nearby locales due to shark sightings! Then all 900 of us (there were 1000+ registered) started the "parade" to Pier 41 to catch the ferry.

By the time the ferry actually departed we were sleepy and feeling sweaty in our suits. We laid our heads back and nearly fell asleep... he he. "Ho hum another race", we joked. Helped keep the nerves at a manageable level. To our surprise we rounded Alcatraz and circumnavigated the whole island ending up on the far eastern side, just peaking a view of SF. We were told to line up in groups of 3 and Kathy and I jumped to it. This was the best part. Just standing there in anticipation. All suited up and peering out through the dark large bulkhead out to the sparking sunshine and turquoise water. Like leaping into heaven. And then we jumped! The water was perfect. Refreshingly cold but no numbing.

We went straight to the start line (the other ferry had almost disembarked everyone) and wiggled our way to the front. And kept wiggling. Too many large men in the way. Literally not more then 1 min 30 seconds passed (just long enough to relieve myself, sorry folks) and we saw a visual countdown underway on one of the boats - 10 - 9- 8- 7 -6- 5 - 4- 3- 2- 1 ... and neither I nor any of the people around me waited for the horn. We just took off.

Here is where I unintentionally made a good move. I kept my head above water and swam "tarzan" for about 10 strokes. It kept me from being kicked in the face I am pretty sure. By then I had enough space to hunker down and get serious about going all out for a bit before settling into a normal pace.

It was choppy and there were small and quick swells. For those in Maine, I figure it was like swimming Pine Point on a windy day. Just doable but tiring. I admit I spaced out a bit in the middle of the race. I was able to sight pretty well off the large orange buoys on the back of the pace boat, but couldn't make out much more. During the middle 1/3 most people I could see were to my left with many fewer to my right. I thought this was good, but in retrospect I think I should have taken a harder in line to the right. I had to keep redirecting myself that way probably b/c of the current. Tony from the SCAQ blog reported that many swimmers (him included) were "swept off course by 300-yards or so due to an aggressive high tide flow moving through the bay". Probably this is what I thought was just me not swimming straight. Part of the fun of open water!

However once inside the breakwater, I was in my element. Only about 3-4 minutes of the race were left but I gunned it and passed LOTS of people here. It was much flatter and easier to make some good headway here so I enjoyed myself. This was fun!

Final stats:
37:18
47th OA / 655 in the wetsuit division (120 non-wetsuit competitiors)
7th woman OA
1st AG

Kudos to Kathy my fabulous training partner who was 3rd woman overall in 36:37 !! Way to go!

Only 2 Mainers in the race and we both won our age groups. Go Maine!

This is a race I will definitely do again.

Kathy and I in our post-race euphoria... yeah baby!!

New Training Technique

2009-08-11T11:49:00.004-04:00

1. Get large, very large, inner tube.
2. Fill with approximately 150 lbs of kids
3. Secure rope to tube and self.
4. Tow around for 30 minutes.

Great workout for my back and lats. Forced my head down a bit and made me widen out my stroke. Felt good and the kids loved it!!

Sick of this weather...

2009-08-04T12:33:00.004-04:00

"Monday was the third day in a row of no rain at the Portland Jetport this month.Quite remarkable when you consider that since June 7 the longest we have gone with no precipitation in Portland is two days." From the WCSH.com weather report.

Fogged out today for a swim to Richmond Island. Fogged out yesterday but we swam anyways. The cormorants and stripers kept us company. We could barely see the waves breaking on the beach as we swam in water about 3-4 feet deep. I am so glad we did it though. It was beautiful. Usually we don't on account of safety... but now Kathy has this nifty contraption which, while it makes us feel safer because we can see it, doesn't actually make us any safer b/c there is no way that a boat could see it.

I think we need to retrofit it with a flag and flashing beacon.

This weather pattern --- which I think is global climate change coming to fruition -- really stinks. Summers are the only (well most) redeeming thing about living in Maine and now we are losing them to rainy cool Seattle weather? Ugh.

Getting psyched for Alcatraz "Sharkfest" 2009

2009-08-01T21:28:00.016-04:00

Dear ALCATRAZ SHARKFEST swimmer,

Congratulations on your entry in the 17th annual ALCATRAZ SHARKFEST SWIM, scheduled for Saturday, August 15th, 2009. You will attempt the challenge which only one Alcatraz prisoner – John Paul Scott – successfully completed. Of course, Scott was discovered the morning after his escape on the rocks near Fort Point. He was taken to an Army hospital in the Presidio, where he was treated for shock and hypothermia before being returned to the island prison. Both the Anglin Brothers and Frank Lee Morris made it off the island, but were never seen again. Their fate remains unknown. Be prepared for the experience of a lifetime!

Okay there are no sharks right?

Only 900 people at the start?

And how cold is the water? 55-58 degrees...

I've been collecting advice over the past year from various people. Here are some tidbits.... (names have been changed to protect my informants)

"The race is not that tough. It is more about overcoming your fear."

"Have the time of your life! This is terribly exciting and a lot of fun.
It is something you will tell your grandchildren about because everybody
knows that `you can't escape from Alcatraz'. "

"There is always a cross current but your host will know the water. They will do
the test swims the day of, and the day before, your swim and they will
tell you what to shoot for."

"Here is the trick, swim to the edge of the island once you jump off the boat and then ask the kyakers which way the tide is running, If it is definitively moving in, swim directly towards aquatic park, don't arc towards it like they recommend. If the tide is slack then do the arc like they tell you."

"Don't become obsessed with your time. This could not be a
certifiable swim. I say this because there is no starting line and no
one honors the starting horn. It takes 10 minutes to get 700 swimmers
in the water (3 swimmers jumping in parallel every 5 seconds from two
doors). Swimmers hit the water, and go for it. "

"Pause a few times to take in the breathtaking view. The Golden Gate on
your right. The Oakland Bay Bridge on your left and San Francisco in
front. J had a camera stuffed into her suit and stopped
several times to take photos. Check behind occasionally to see how far
Alcatraz has moved right or left. This can give you a good feel how you
are doing in the current."

"There are tons of sharks in the S.F. Bay but no man-eating ones like the
Great Whites for example."

The plan (for now)...

wear the suit.... apply shark faux tattoo...

follow the map...

HAVE FUN!

Do you have some advice for me?

Gail Osgood Photography: P2P race shots

2009-07-28T08:49:00.003-04:00

Thanks to Gail Osgood for these hilarious and amazing shots. She does amazing portrait photography also.

Gail Osgood, Photographic Artist
P.O. Box 6211
Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107
(207) 741-2700

More P2P pictures....

2009-07-26T09:31:00.004-04:00

Peaks to Portland Race Report 2009

2009-07-25T17:00:00.006-04:00

244 swimmers. Water temp 60 degrees (according to the NOAA buoy). Air temp 64. Tide dead low at race start.

It all seemed to go so fast. Literally.

With all the extra people it seemed more chaotic, but the Y people did a pretty good job handling the logistics. As it was low tide there was no current to pull or push us. Thus we all knew the times would be slower.

Mike, awesome kayaker, had it all figured out though. I did not need to worry. He talked about "cheating" this buoy, cutting this line and all other kinds of marine talk I didn't understand. I told him "I'll just follow you". But it was crazy right from the start! Not at all like last year

First of all there was no warning for the start. Just all of a sudden a horn to go! Luckily I had my goggles on. Not even 5 seconds into the race a woman next to me reached over and pushed my head under! Unbelieveable. Then after I gave her a shove back I found myself arm and arm, nice and cozy with another woman. It took me about 10 strokes to realize who was next to me.... (the amazing Cheryl)... and I just took it down a notch. Definitely no sense in burning myself out this early.

The whole rest of the race, right up to the finish I was neck and neck with various swimmers and kayaks. No breathing room. A few times kayaks tried to cut me off, and in one instance did. I had to yell "Excuse me" to one kayaker who didn't understand this was a swimming race.

Ah well.

It finally cleared out a bit at the end for me, probably because I laid on a bit of my good old sprinting mojo. Honestly I was pooped though. About 300 yards from the beach I got a massive leg cramp, just like last year, but heck I was too close to care. I could taste that murky low tide scum drifting up from the bottom. Oh yummy East End Beach.

I stood up a bit too early and tried to run and then realizing it was too shallow to swim but yet too deep to really run. I dove back down and tried to swim. However, I still managed to edge out unknown 2 women with my last minute sprint.

In the end I finished:
3rd AG
31st OA / 244
5th woman OA -- stinks but 30-39 is a stacked AG

Time 54:18

This is 2 minutes slower than last year but I moved up in the rankings so I am pleased, especially given the increase in the field by more than 100 swimmers.

Congrats to all my Lighthouse Masters Teammates who also completed the swim, some for the first time!
Working out with them is what makes this all so fun.
Special congrats to Kathy (1st AG), Jim (1st AG), Deb (3rd AG) and Roxy (1st AG).

More pictures to follow. Thanks to Mike for these great photos from his iPhone.

Peaks to Portland Video

2009-07-25T14:25:00.005-04:00

Race report to follow....

Here is a video that includes me and Kathy, my amazing training partner, emerging from the water.

It was a great race and a beautiful day.

#185

2009-07-23T13:59:00.003-04:00

That's me. #185.

Could be up to 240 swimmers this year.

Last minute nerves are getting everyone. Will there be enough bathrooms on the island? Can you use a GPS (no)? Does anyone know a kayaker? How cold will the water be? How much crazier will the start be with 240 vs. 150?

Don't know why, but I'm just not nervous yet.

Could it be that this is year 2? Or perhaps because I did a lot more long swims this summer in preparation? Or is it that I'm resting on my laurels from the SCY Champs? Or that this kind of race is so unpredictable and dependent on conditions that there is no sense in getting nervous?

Well whatever, I feel good and ready for this race. I got in 5 swims of more than 2 miles straight in the ocean and about four 2 mile swims in the lake. My shoulder has been aching a bit out of the water, but in the water has felt okay. That will be something I'll have to attend to after the race. My strategy is to ride the glide -- something I have mastered in the lake this summer. Once I get warmed up (say after a mile) I can really cruise and expend less energy by riding my glide, kicking in short tight spurts and extending. It's quite cool when it comes together. Being able to do it in the ocean depends on how smooth the water is.

1 day countdown is on!

Keeping my fingers crossed for no fog and smooth conditions.

Hey - also want to wish good luck to Ange and Mary who are competing in their first IronMan at Lake Placid on Sunday. Race hard guys!!

Also thanks to Mike my awesome kayaker who I know will plot a good course for me.

See you on the beach!

Norway Tri Pictures

2009-07-15T20:40:00.004-04:00

Beautiful Norway Lake

Mark and I before the race

Me in my speedy and trusty wetsuit gearing up for the swim

Emerging from the swim and leading the pack! (only time in the whole race- ha ha!)

Leaving for the run and very happy I am...

Making the big (and only) break and giving the last 25 yards a big kick...

Mary, me and Angela after the race ... thanks for all your support guys. Maybe someday I'll be as fast as you.

Dara and I after the race

Norway Tri Race Report

2009-07-13T16:46:00.006-04:00

Fun fun fun! My first triathlon was great. I finished running, even with enough energy to have a kick at the end. I just wanted to make it all the way through and I did.

The race... 2/3 mile swim, 11.8 mile bike and 3 mile run. The long swim was the selling point.

The day was gorgeous. Really perfect. Low humidity. Mid 70's. Sunny. Water temp just 68. Couldn't ask for any more. Small race field (only 125 people). I stayed overnight with Ange which made race morning very stress free. Thanks Ange!! She helped me figure out what I needed, gave and lent me things I did not have (race belt, gu, water bottle, helmet) and even offered to lend me her bike. Seeing as I had only ridden my bike 3 times I thought it best to stick with my tried but true good ol' bike.

I was seeded in the second wave (out of three). This was fun because although the waves were sent off 3 minutes apart I was able to pass everyone in my wave and all but 2 or 3 in the wave ahead of me. Clearly this was not a tough field of swimmers... many were doing sidestroke and breastroke... however it was a 'feel good' way to start my first triathlon for sure. Mark made me laugh in the middle because he stopped swimming to yell "Go Alina!".

I had a good transition and hopped on the bike and passed Ange, Mary and our 9 cheering children. Very cool. (Big thank you to Mary for bringing my kids up to the race with her!). The bike was a beautiful course of rolling hills. I spent most of the bike saying hi to people passing me and enjoying the scenery. I think people thought I was wierd for saying "hi" but who cares. I was having FUN. And although I am as slow as can be on the bike, no women passed me until about 4 miles in. Yeah!

On the run I left feeling great... I have a funny picture I will post soon. I continued to get passed but figured all I had to do was keep moving. The first 1.5. was all uphill. Ugh. Keep the feet going I kept thinking. The second half was a breeze, all down hill. The only person I passed during the bike or run was in the last 25 yards of the run. I like to save a little mojo for the finish so even if my time is slow, I still look good at the finish.

Final stats:
Total time: 1:37.19
Swim: 13:26 (1/110 overall)
Bike: 51:25 (66/110 overall)
Run: 32:27 (84/110 overall)
4th AG
17th woman

This race is a definite for next year. It was well organized, the right size, and so fun!
Pictures to follow....

PP2P: Pine Point to the Pier training swim

2009-07-05T13:33:00.007-04:00

View of Old Orchard Beach from Pine Point

Wonderful swim this morning albeit very very cold. Thanks to John from the Riverton group for letting me know about this swim, which I have wanted to do for a long time after first reading about it on Nitsirk's blog last year. About 12 of us set off from Pine Point at 8am this morning to swim to the Pier in OOB. It looked very very far away at the start. I wasn't sure I could swim for that long in water that cold.... my guess is it was about 56 degrees judging by various buoys in the area. But hey, I figured, at least the sun is out. As you can see from the picture above, the Pier at OOB isn't even clearly visible (it is all the way at the left hand side of the picture)

However the major battle for this swim wasn't the distance (3 miles), it was the temperature! Half way through I wasn't able to control my right pinkie finger and fully extend it anymore. My feet, face and hands were numb. But I couldn't get out and walk I kept telling myself. Besides, as I was swimming along the shore, I could get out anytime if I really needed to. I kept pushing along. Thinking about widening my stroke kept my mind busy. I have to say I am really glad I finished the swim. I think it took about an hour and 15 minutes. At the very least I feel ready now for P2P (Peaks to Portland) even if this summer weather keeps the ocean cold.

Only 5 days til my first triathlon!....more on that later.

No comment necessary.... 13 days and counting

2009-07-02T09:34:00.003-04:00

Wet beach toys on the patio

First ocean swim of 2009

2009-06-30T13:41:00.007-04:00

A bit anti-climatic I would say. I have been waiting at least two weeks to take my first ocean plunge. Waiting. And hoping the sun might emerge. Not to be.

Air temp 60. Water temp 59. Waves 3-5 feet. Wind speed 7 knots. Wind gust 8.9 knots. Rip tide active. Not exactly summer. But anything goes in Maine I suppose.

And god was it salty! I had forgotten. It felt pretty cold at first but then the temperature felt okay.

I only swam about 2/3 of mile probably but it lasted at least 25 minutes which is more than the time it would take to swim a mile in the pool. Hey, I am happy I got in given the cruddy weather we've had for the last two weeks. The National Weather Service reported today that this June is the 5th rainiest on record in Maine, and given more rain today will likely be the 4th rainest by the end of the day. Total rainfall for June 2009- 8.36 inches (3 times our usual average for June).

To reward myself I had two of these for lunch (with fresh strawberries we picked this morning) when I returned. Yum yum yum. Maybe summer is here afterall.

Rainy day(s) accomplishments

2009-06-25T19:41:00.002-04:00

We've had about 7 rainy days in a row here in Maine. At first it sucked. But then I got productive.

Here's what I got done:

*Cleaned out 2 closets
*Made a plan for the underwater camera
*Painted the bathroom orange
*Painted the laundry room orange
*Cleaned and threw out junk in both said rooms (yuk!)
*Read a cheesy murder mystery
*Cleaned up a mud slathered front door (courtesy of my kids)
*Did approximately 19 loads of laundry (I'm not kidding)
*Gave away 5 bags of toys and clothes to friends and charity
*Went to the library twice
*Saw "Up" (it was good)
*Went shopping for myself with kids in tow
(always an embarrassing event as they inevitably open the changing room mid-change)

Here's what I did not get done:
*Painting the house (will it ever stop raining long enough?)
*Find a new book to read
*Swim in the ocean (boohoo!)

Goals for this week

*SWIM IN THE OCEAN! (29 days until P2P)
*Read 2-3 more "summer" books (I need suggestions!)
*Play with kids
*Build a sandcastle

Can vacation start now? I am ready for it....

Starts

2009-06-23T13:17:00.002-04:00

courtesy Mark Savage Photography

This is something I have been thinking about since NE Champs.

Re-learning a proper start.

This image is a great one to catalogue away in my brain for visualization purposes. It is of Kendall Steward a 14-year old who just swam a 1:00.09 in the 100 meter fly at the TYR Swim Meet of Champions at Mission Viejo last week.

Notice her hands- firm and already angling for a streamlined shot in the water.
She is up on her toes, which is clearly something my aging body is going to have to practice a lot.
And she is taking a good aggressive look at where she is headed before dropping her head for entry. This is different than the quick look and reflexive body jerk I learned way back in the 80's.

Ginger supplementation

2009-06-21T08:49:00.000-04:00

"Ginger supplementation attentuates peak muscle pain and the decline in range-of-motion caused by intense exercise"

Has anyone used ginger in their racing or training regimen?

Torres: On why I love swimming .. and on aging

2009-06-13T09:18:00.006-04:00

Excerpts from Dara Torres, Age is Just a Number

"I also remembered the straightforward nature of life in the pool. You know exactly where your're coming from. You know exactly where you're going. It is easy to state your goals. Tasks and obligations are well defined. Life outside the water is so maddeningly full of complexity and nuance. I liked being back in the pool. The lines are clear and straight."

...lifestyle, not genetics, is the primary reason older athletes tend to slow down... Most people, as they reach their thirties, place more piroity on their jobs and famiies, as well they should. but as a result they downgrade their worout goals from achieving peronsal bests to stayig in shape. this might be the right decision or many. But if you still have athletic ambiitions, ifyou still want to compete and win, there's no reason you have to give up.

"So how long can peak athletic performance last? Accrding to the Cardiovascular Aging Research Laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin, both eleite and non-eleite runners and swimmers can maintain personal bests until age 35, after which point (for most people, and the most is important) performance delcies in a gradual, linear fashion until about age 50 to 60 for runners, or 70 for swimmers. Deterioration is the exponential from there. The Cardiovascular Aging Research Laboratory also found that swimmers experience more modest declines than runners, and that swim sprinters, like myself, experience the smallest declines of all. "

Oh yeah, I like that last sentence!

Monday workout

2009-06-01T12:52:00.005-04:00

300 w/u

5 x 150 free-kick-free by 50 on 15 seconds rest

5 x 200 on 3:30
#1- 25 fly, 175 free
#2 - 100 free, 50 back, 50 free
#3 - 50 free, 50 breast, 100 free
#4 - 175 free, 25 fly
#5 - 200 free all out

6 x 75 free on 1:10 easy long stretch

Total: 2500 yds

Post 5K update: Legs are sore but my shoulders are making me a happy girl!

Pond Cove 5K

2009-05-31T19:19:00.009-04:00

The race that almost wasn't. I had pretty much decided to bail on Friday as I had only run one time in the last month and before that only one other time in the last 5 years. So much for training.

Yet how can I say no to a wide eyed snuggily cute 4 year old who tells me at 7:15am, "Mommy you should do it". Well of course I should. Of course I would. Somehow. Not sure how.

So I ate a banana, drank a large glass of water, kissed the hub and headed out. Car didn't start. Was this a bad omen?
After summoning said hub. it magically started. Okay game back on.

Once there I wasn't a wisp nervous. Why should I be right?
Saw lots of swimming friends Michelle, Carrie, Jen, Claire, Stacey and Katie among them.

Really not much to report on the race. It was sunny no clouds and just a beautiful day. Why not run a 5K? And I am happy to say I did, without even walking once. 11-minute first mile and heck if I know what the other splits were. This was such a small race there were no other pace clocks. I tried to keep the same pace through mile 2 and part of mile 3 but saved a burst of speed for the end (there was a mini heartbreak hill there). It felt good to sprint up the hill and the last .1 or .2 to the finish line.

Now I know I am 5K ready for my triathlon in July!

Final time: 33:51 (don't laugh)

Summer is finally here

2009-05-24T16:37:00.003-04:00

And I am taking advantage of every day. I enjoyed two great swims at Crystal Lake this weekend and am so glad I decided to brave it on Friday. You see almost all my friends told me I was a fool that of course it would be way too cold. Jim warned me I'd have to save up pee and let it all out in the lake to keep warm. Thankfully Ange and Liz were willing to forge ahead. It was a balmy 61 in the lake on Friday and coming off the high of 88 on Friday in Portland it was just glorious. Ange and I swam stroke for stroke which is such a rare treat it made my day just outstanding. There is nothing like being able to exactly keep pace with someone -- especially without all those pesky flipturns getting in the way. Today was not too sunny but the lake was still warm and calm. I had a bit of a tougher swim with Cheryl ahead of me and John just on my toes, but that is good for training I think. Two miles (or thereabouts) both days. If it wasn't at the crack of dawn both days I would have yelled across the lake "Wahooooo ... SUMMER IS HERE!" (Don't say it Mary, I know I am a dork). Cheryl promised to send me a picture so I'll post it when I get it.

Bowdoin Spring Meet report

2009-05-19T21:29:00.002-04:00

Very different from Harvard overall, but the same enthusiasm, breadth of talent and span of ages. Which of course is why I love Masters. So in the 500 (which I swam for the first time in 22 years or something ridiculous like that) we had folks going 5:02, 6:02, 7:32 and 9:48 .. none of us younger than 40. Wow! And the 7:32 I should mention was a national record for women 75-79. At this rate there will be no records I can possibly break by the time I reach that age. The meet total had about 25 people, only 2 heats per event and was over in less than 2 hours. Since I swam 4 events that made for very little rest between events.

First up the 500. Out in a 1:05 back in a 1:14 (ouch!) ..... lost the middle splits but they were too slow! ..... back for the last 100 in a 1:10, which I was proud of. At least I saved a little of my sprinting spirit for the end. Unfortunately not close to my goal of under 6:00, but on the good side I very accurately seeded myself exactly at my final time, 6:10. At least I know myself.

My times in the other events are kind of laughable because I had about 5 or 6 minutes rest in between events. Not even time to warm down. Next up the 200 back (2:42), then 200 IM (not even sure of my time it came and went so fast 2:40 something) -- I really got killed on the breaststroke leg. I went out in a 32 for the fly, came back in a 36 back and died in the breast 52! and then brought it home in a 36 -- what does that add up to? Then I was chatting away and almost missed the 50 breast. This was especially humorous as I swam next to Son who took off like a rocket and went a 30.5 (a PR for him). Ahem.... I sashayed my way in at a 42. Time for the breaststroke clinic. Sign me up.

Anyways I accomplished at least one goal for the season that I set way back. Swim the 500. Check!

A milestone

2009-05-06T18:56:00.004-04:00

8 x 100 on 1:20
1:13, 1:15, 1:16, 1:16, 1:16, 1:18, 1:20, 1:23

I made 7 so that felt good. Next season I'm going for 10!

Today
105 x 25
Worked a lot on my streamline and push-off. I played around with some rapid small butterfly kicking off the way. I could almost get half way down the pool.

And in case you missed the big story.... Maine Masters Mike Ross set 5 National records at the Zone Championships at GMU. Way to go Mike!

from the site..."Ross' times in the 50 and 100 backstrokes were the fastest times swum in United States Masters Swimming history. Ross was an NCAA All-American and part of the wining 200 medley relays for Princeton in 1989 and 1990."

Spaniard comes close to 100 fly WR

2009-05-02T07:58:00.002-04:00

Rafael Munoz Perez came within .06 seconds of Ian Crocker's WR in the 100 fly at the French Long Course National Championships last week. Munoz Perez is the WR holder in the 50 fly (22.43).

Off to DC...

2009-04-16T21:15:00.003-04:00

Just me and the 3 kids. I always love a good road trip. But with the way my kids have been bickering lately I just hope we won't end up like this. Wish me luck!

Bowdoin swim clinic: Waltzing through the water

2009-04-12T08:04:00.007-04:00

Apparently I never knew. Swimming is kind of like waltzing through the water. We swam to a 1-2 underwater metronome at the Bowdoin Clinic. At first he had us swimming at 20 cycles per minute- very slow. Hard to even move continuously. 30 per minute was more my pace. After a lengthy lecture on how to go fast on a bike (a description that flew completely over my head and was geared for all the triathletes in the audience), the analogy to swimming was made.

To go fast -- the only way -- is either to increase cycles per minute (cadence or tempo) OR distance per stroke. That's it.

All that fancy stuff -- be it suits, new techniques, weights, cords -- only make you faster if they affect tempo or distance per stroke.

And to think all I did before was just decide to "go fast". Intuitively I knew this but had never thought about it. So for that alone I think the clinic was helpful.

We also got to swim on video several times to look at our body position and technique. Coach Brad said I need to pull in my core more and tighten my butt muslces (do I have any?) and lengthen my stroke. He also said I was an "advanced" swimmer... Zach was jealous...haha.

But really the best part was swimming in a different pool with Deb, Kathy, Adrian, John, John G., Zach, & Son and just having fun with it all. That's what it's all about.

Here's what I want to try next..... getting towed.

Endurance workout

2009-04-10T12:18:00.003-04:00

Today was different, which is why I love having a coach on deck telling me what to do.

Swim as far as you can for each time period BUT increase your distance each time.

12:30 rest 2:30
11:50 rest 3:30
11:10 rest 4:30
10:30 the end

I'm a terrible counter but I think this is how far I went... I'm positive on the last set b/c I counted (a hard skill for a sprinter).

750
775
775
850 yds

It felt good!

First Tri workout

2009-04-06T08:43:00.002-04:00

Today was a nice break from the same old same old. Coach had us mix it up a bit. We started out with a few hundred warm up and then a super set -- 10 x 100 @ 1:25. We really should have been doing 1:20 but we all wimped out. Deb hasn't been in the water for 3 weeks, me for a week and well we probably could have made 5 or so on 1:20... we'll do it next month (we do them on the first monday of the month and try to drop 5 seconds each month). Well after that nice set we got out and went to the track behind the pool. I did a mile (which is a lot considering I haven't run in 5 years or more). Katie passed me twice --ha ha! Time to get my bike on the road I think...

400 Free Relay

2009-04-03T08:30:00.003-04:00

One more picture from the 400 free relay on Friday night
(L to R) Zach, Sean, Jess, me; time 3:34.14

NESCY Championship 2009 report

2009-03-30T08:45:00.011-04:00

Subtitle: Is it the suit or is it me? Heck who cares!

On the blocks in my new suit

As I mentioned back in February after the Cape Sprint meet, it was time to get me a new suit. Well I've done that and I am in love with my (kind of new) Speedo FastSkin-PRO. I never knew what a difference a suit could make. I had the meet of my life. I couldn't be more happy. When I arrived Mike, the president, asked "What suit are you wearing?" I thought that was a wierd question but he had in mind getting me into a fast suit. What a good idea! Thank you to Beth for lending me the suit and then selling it to me and thank you to Mike for even getting me to consider the idea of a fast suit.

Maine Masters is a great group and were so welcoming to me. There were only 3 people from my workout group out of the 80+ people that came from MESC but it didn't matter because after the first minute I was there people were chatting it up and giving me great advice.

So here is the short version cause frankly I am still kind of wiped out from the meet!

Friday
50 back - I had no idea what to expect with my new suit and figured this was just a warm up for the 100 fly so I'd take it out not too fast so I didn't miss the turn... whoa final time 30.88, 3 second drop from my seed and 3rd place.

100 fly - this was it. The race I came a day early for. The one I really cared about. I felt good. I felt like a superwoman in my new suit. I knew I had to sprint the first 50 and then come back for the second 50 with all I had left...yes!! I just looked at the clock and said "Holy sh#@$t!" Was it possible? 1:02.53, five seconds off my time from February and 2 seconds off my best high school time.

400 free relay - 56.86 split ..yes! and second place

Saturday
100 free - I was nervous about swimming this without a warm up event and I even though I was seeded 3rd we were all packed in together. I had some bad turns, but still dropped 2 seconds off my time coming in at a 57.22 for 4th place (only .1 off of 2nd -- like I said it was tight).

100 back - I figured what the heck just go have some fun with this one. I was seeded 10th and just wanted to get some points for the team. I took the first 50 all out and came back with what I had left. It was fun cause I could see the clock on the scoreboard counting up 59, 1:00, 1:01.... final time 1:07.9, five seconds off my seed and 6th place!

200 medley relay - 27.66 split in the fly -- yes now I knew what I was capable of for tomorrow-- 2nd place

200 free relay - 25.69 -- ditto above -- 1st place!!

Sunday
50 fly - I was a bit nervous having this without a warm up event but decided early that morning that this was my race for the day. This was the one I was going to focus on. Sprints are great because you don't need to think you just have to react and go. I did... 27.8...whoa!!! yes!! only .4 off the NE record!! 1st place by 2 seconds.

50 free - this was another event that was packed tight in the seeds. I had seen the other women go fast in the 100 free, but I also knew they had all been swimming a lot of events. I was in a great heat, lane 4, with all young muffins around me, only one 35-39 woman over in lane 8. I just had to go for my personal best and let the cards fall where they may. And yes coach 2 breaths down, a tight turn, long streamline and 3 breaths back. Kick it! Yeah baby.... 25.64 and 1st place!!

400 medley relay - 100 fly, I just planned to take it out easy and come back with what I had, but hey I did a 1:02.9?? This time it hurt! See the video below (thanks Elia and Mark!) Nice job team!

Bridget, Jessica, Cheryl, me - 400 medley relay

Mary and I

My medals!

Simon, Cheryl and Jeremy

The overall team 1st place plaque for Maine Masters

Cheryl in the 100 breast

Lap 1, 50 free

Lap 2, 50 free

When I get weddinged...a chicken or an egg?

2009-03-23T19:26:00.004-04:00

Another priceless conversation with my 3 year old.

Where do I get babies after I am weddinged?

Um well after you get "weddinged" or married you'll have some eggs that can make babies.

(Pause)... Do they come from the refrigerator?

Oh no (LOL) .... you have them inside of you and once you are "weddinged" they can grow into babies.

(Pause)... But how do babies get arms?

Later I realized she thought she might be growing chicken babies -- thus the no arms possibility.

Just for Deb

2009-03-22T09:33:00.003-04:00

Sorry folks. This is special for Deb who is out of town and wanted to see how long and gross the hair on my legs is after 2 weeks.
Only 3 more days til I shave!

Tight turns

2009-03-16T20:56:00.000-04:00

Great video by GoSwim.

TURNS/WALLS - Far-Hands Flip Turn from Glenn Mills on Vimeo.

Jo Jackson breaks 400 free WR

2009-03-16T20:21:00.004-04:00

England's Jo Jackson edged out fellow brit Rebecca Adlington for a new world record in the 400 meter freestyle today, besting the record set by Italy's Federica Pelligrini in Bejing, with a time of 4:00.66, just .23 faster than Adlington. Katie Hoff has her work cut out for her.
Click here for the video from the BBC. And thanks for the scoop Ted.

Preview: Harvard NE SCY Championships

2009-03-16T13:16:00.002-04:00

The psych sheets are out. The relays have been assigned.
Yikes! Just looking at the psych sheets got my heart practically pounding out of my chest.

My seeds:
Friday
50 back - 6th
100 fly - 2nd
400 free relay A 25+ Mix

Saturday
100 free - 3rd
100 back - 7th
200 medley relay A 35+ MIx
200 free relay A 35+ MIx

Sunday
50 free - 2nd
50 fly - 1st !!
400 Medley relay 18+ W

This is going to be a tiring -- but FUN -- weekend!

On the suit front, I am kind of annoyed with Splish as they have not returned emails regarding the lobster logo. Initally they indicated they could do it but now are ignoring me! I may not buy one of their suits as a result... hmmm until at least i need something cool for Alcatraz.

Positive effect of sports and activities on children

2009-03-15T11:07:00.005-04:00

Conventional wisdom is that too many activities are stressful for kids. Not true says recent research. In fact, more activities -- especially a balance of sport and nonsport activities -- are beneficial to kids development.

Sandra Hofferth of the Maryland Population Research Center at the University of Maryland says she had "started out with a pretty solid belief that lots and lots of activities are bad for children." However the data shows otherwise. Children with higher activity levels were not more likely to experience stress, depression, anxiety or other behavioral symptoms. Its more likely that any negative effects of high activity involvement comes from critical comments and high adult expectations for children, not the activities themselves. (See link for media article).

Other research just published in the 2009 issue of Child Development shows that youths who participate in sports and other non-sports activities have the most positive outcomes, with sports-only youths with moderately positive outcomes and no activity youths the least positive outcomes (Livner, Roth & Brooks-Gunn, 2009).

In another article in that same issue of CD researchers found swim coaches who praise the process -- not the outcome -- and foster autonomy are more likely to have swimmers with a higher sense of competence and satisfaction with coaching.

The authors concluded: ...the quality of coaching climate is an important predictor of the developmental benefits of sport participation and that one pathway by which the coaching climate has its effect on initiative and identity reflection is though developing youth self-perceptions. (Coatsworth & Conroy, 2009).

It's GROSS, I know

2009-03-07T09:52:00.003-05:00

I've been sick for a month, had a lot of work, the pool was 76 degrees this week (broken pump), there have been 3 snow days in the last month and thus a slew of missed workouts, my shoulder hurts, my trunk broke and I can't open it, I got my period, my driveway is covered with ice and.....I have a hang nail on my left toenail.

You get the idea.. lots of excuses to not swim my fastest at New England.

I need a motivator.

Yes I can dig deep and go beyond all these excuses. But I need something more.

I thought long and hard about this. And then thought some more. Finally it came to me...

I will not shave until the meet! Like the old days (except there will be no taper cause I haven't worked hard enough to taper-ha ha!). Yes, it's kind of gross, I know, but it will be fun and give me that extra psychological boost when I get up on the blocks and dive in and feel smooth and faassst.

So in the interest of grossing everyone out here is the "before" picture. On March 26th I'll post a picture of my amazonian hairy legs!

More @#*$% snow!

2009-03-02T11:28:00.011-05:00

Arggghhh! Another 14 inches of snow coming down. Our driveway is already coated with 2" of ice because we have reached that point in the winter when we are so flipping sick of shoveling that we just stop doing it. I'll be lucky if I can get out of the driveway after this storm. I should have cleared it when it was 45 last week...at least I cleared the walkway.

Okay so here's a fun snow day activity.... picking a new suit for the big meet.
I haven't been able to get the lobster graphic

on a suit but it will be on our snazy caps.
However, seeing how I have so much extra time today (ha!) I picked a few and designed some.
Please vote for your favorite on the right. Or send me a better idea!

Choice #1 - Maine splash

Choice #2 - Bubbles Multi

Choice #3 - Bubbles Blue

Choice #4 - Pink Shimmer

It's back

2009-02-27T18:41:00.004-05:00

My shoulder pain is back. I staved it off for more than a year. Last time it was a impingement of the supraspinatus muscle in my rotator cuff. I've got an appointment with the PT next friday to get back on track with my exercises. And thanks to Kathy I am getting a massage next week- thank you!

The things that I think are contributing factors are:
*typing too much at work
*bad ergonomic set up at my desk?
*poor posture
*stress on my neck and upper shoulders from some cord exercises I have been doing for the past two weeks
*tension!
*anatomy - I've got super flexible loose shoulders

Given that I experienced no problems all summer and fall, I think the biggest factors are working on the computer and stability of my shoulder -- I don't work in the summer and wear a wet suit all summer for swimming which stabilizes my shoulder I have discovered. It got better last winter with physical therapy so I expect it will this year. It is just frustrating. Especially as I am trying to gear up for New Englands. I haven't been doing much yardage as a result of my shoulder.

I did practice starts today and made some significant changes which I think will really help. Coach suggested I place my hands inside of my feet on the blocks and not grab tight to the block as I was trained to do way back when. Also he noticed I was bringing my arms in to my chest first when I really should be throwing them straight out immediately. Just these few changes really did feel faster. After I master this I'd like to try to incorporate better streamlining of my legs and feet so I can make a clean entry. Check out this video recently posted on Go Swim.

Starts - Clean Up the Feet from Glenn Mills on Vimeo.

What I did over February vacation

2009-02-20T10:09:00.000-05:00

It looks happy, eh?

Over-reaching

2009-02-16T16:37:00.007-05:00

I love what happened in the pool this morning.

I learned something new from a fellow swimmer. My backstroke has been hurting. The practice immediately before our last meet I hyperextended my elbow twice in practice. Or that is what my coach told me. I didn't really understand what he was talking about. Today we were on our own for practice so I searched the web and pieced together a practice that I thought would be more conditioning as we are working on sprints Wed and Friday.

600 w/u (300 swim/300 pull)
4 x 150 (50 back kick no fins, 50 catch-up, 25 tarzan, 25 stiff arm dog paddle)
400 swim 80% effort
4 x 50 fly on 1
300 swim 80% effort
4 x 50 back on 1
200 swim 85% effort
4 x 50 breast on 1

We made it as far as the set of 50 back and a lap swim regular joined us. He is really fast but his doctor has asked him to slow down on account of his heart. He is 70 (or maybe older I'm not sure!) and he is the one who showed me something new today! I just love that. Age passing on experience (well I can pretend I am still nubile and young right?)

I have been rotating and hyperextending my whole arm across the midline up above my head, along with bending my hand at the wrist as if to scoop more water. This whole motion in turn has been torquing my shoulder and hurting! Thank god for Eric noticing and pointing it out. He even had a great way to get the right feel for correcting it. Swim along the lane line on your back -- right along it -- and with your arm extended grab the lane line and pull your self along. Your hand position and rotation are just right.

Here is a video that illustrates the proper technique with a double arm drill. The GoSwim site is great if you haven't already checked it out. A plethora of videos, drills, workouts and expert swim advice.

Backstroke - Double Arm from Glenn Mills on Vimeo.

Let me know what you think.

And for those of you who actually read this probably boring post.... here is a great lead I got from a fellow blogger....go to TYR to enter to win a new TYR Tracer speedsuit. Good luck!