Go The Distance Poll

My friend John Kuzmkowski, who is currently in second place: John Kuzmkowski M58 ALMT 1,524.40 would probably answer some of Bill's questions. John is not a terribly speedy swimmer but he is a very dedicated and indefatigable one. I am fairly certain he swims almost every day in the early morning, and does so in a steady fashion for 90 minutes or perhaps longer, before going to work. He's the owner of a roofing company and is by no means retired. I don't think his swimming interferes with the rest of his life. I, too, admire people with this much stamina and perseverance. I don't think my shoulders could hold out doing this much yardage, and I suspect my times in shorter races would be negatively impacted because when you are going exclusively for distance, it's hard to work in much real sprint or middle distance work. That said, I'm off to burn some of the 17,832 calories I ate yesterday with a slow fat-burning il garbagio swim at the Y! Assuming, that is, my bulk does not displace all the water from the pool...see more at my vlog. Yep, John is my one also and Darren Miller, who doesn't flog but trains long distance and works and does charity work, etc.

I disagree with your post tone but agree they should be highlighted by USMS Me too. I'm curious how these people train. Are they in the water every day? Do they do exclusively long, non-stop swims? And how they balance all the swimming with their non-swimming lives? My wife thinks I swim a lot and I'm not even to 500 miles for the year yet!

I can think of ways to budget time and still have time for personal life, community, and family: Don't have a television, have a compact yard requiring little maintenance, efficient meal recipes, kids out of house, no movies, cut back on internet, etc.

After coming up just short of 500 miles for the year in each of the last two years, I finally did it. I'm at 501 as of this morning. :banana: :applaud: Congratulations!!! :cheerleader:

It's good to reach goals for ourselves! Congrats to all that met or passed theirs !!

Made my goal with one day to spare!

Finally made it over the 500mile mark. Yesterday I was at 499, today at 502+. Since I have four more workouts before the end of the year, I guess I should revise my goal to 510 or 515 miles!! Maybe next year, lol! :D

Finally made it over the 500mile mark. Yesterday I was at 499, today at 502+. Since I have four more workouts before the end of the year, I guess I should revise my goal to 510 or 515 miles!! Maybe next year, lol! :D Great job, Celestial! I'm still debating whether I should set 500 as my goal for 2013. This year, my goal was 400 and I am at 447, as of today. So far, since joining USMS in 2010, I have increased my goals and yardage, starting out with a goal of 250 and reaching 262, in 2010. I'm not sure how far I can push it before my body :bitching:... And, I definitely don't want to find out! :afraid:

While I didn't make the goal I set at the beginning of the year (250 mile goal, 156 miles completed with a couple days to go), I improved substantially over the past two years (75 miles in 2010, 100 miles in 2011), so I'm happy with that. My shoulder problems started in early 2010, and I'm swimming pain-free these days. I also managed 2400+ miles on the bike, which detracted a bit from swimming (in a pure mileage sense). All-in-all, a good year I think.

While I didn't make the goal I set at the beginning of the year (250 mile goal, 156 miles completed with a couple days to go), I improved substantially over the past two years (75 miles in 2010, 100 miles in 2011), so I'm happy with that. My shoulder problems started in early 2010, and I'm swimming pain-free these days. I also managed 2400+ miles on the bike, which detracted a bit from swimming (in a pure mileage sense). All-in-all, a good year I think. That's what's most important! If you are happy with the year you had, that is key. It sounds like you had a heck of a year on the bike, in addition to your swimming. And, being pain-free is :bliss: HappyNew Year, Skip! And, good luck in 2013!