At the risk of sounding like a shameless self-promoter, which I suppose I am, there is an article in the Winter 2004 edition of Men's Health--Best Life magazine (the guy from CSI is on the cover) that I wrote about masters swimming. It's set at the Rutgers meet last summer and profiles a couple guys in my age group along with Bill Volckening, the editor of Swim and a super nice guy.
If you have any friends who are sitting on the fence about possibly returning to the water, the people I profiled might help inspire them to check out our sport's considerable benefits.
Best Life is a trial magazine of sorts that Rodale (publisher of Men's Health, Runners World, etc.) is currently selling only on the newsstand, four times a year, but is considering "launching" as a monthly. It goes against the current grain of men's magazines a la Maxim and its ilk, concentrating less on babes and beer than thoughtful analysis of subjects of interest to a somewhat older more reflective audience (40ish+) as opposed to youth oriented (18-34) demographics. I would sincerely appreciate anyone who has a bit of spare change grabbing a copy on the newstand near you!
For what it's worth, I do think you might enjoy my article--and lots of the other pieces in this issue. Thanks.
Former Member
Ian, Yes, I did compete in the Canadian Nationals for 1776 last year. I thought that Carol Thomas and her staff were fantastic. I would recommend the Canadian Nationals to any American Masters Swimmer. The meet was well run, people were terrific and the competition was intense. I was wondering if you knew where and when they would be held next year? In regard to your other question, Paul Trevisan is my teamate at 1776. He's a great guy. An article about him was published in THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. I believe the title of the article was something like "He Conquered Pain". It ran around January 20,2003 and it's worth reading. Jack
Well, what's it with you middle age men that are able to swim times from college. Us women have more problems doing those old times. Maybe, its easier in freestyle. Anyway, I swim freestyle at about the same speed I swam breaststroke as a kid and breaststroke about 13 seconds slower in the 100 meter. Maybe, its because women even lose more upper body strength than men do as they age, and the best 45 plus woman to do those old times is L Val who has been working out since her early 30's.
Jack,
Next year's Can. Nats will be in the (North) West, in Edmonton, Alberta, May 21-24. They will be long course in the same pool that will be used in the World Masters Games in 2005.
They seem to rotate the Can. Nationals between SCM and LCM (more or less) - something the USMS should perhaps consider.
You were right about the 'intense competition' in your 50-54 age group! e.g. Larry Krauser breaking Trevisan's 100m world record.
Ian.
As someone who also has returned to competitive swimming after a quarter of a century, I wonder how typical Paul's experience is, specifically his ability to match (?) his collegiate times after training for five or six years. Is he an anomaly? I'd be interested to know how he trains.
Ian, Thanks for the Canadian Nationals info. It sounds like it will be another great meet. You will probably draw a lot of US swimmers especially those from the West Coast. By the way, you forgot to mention some of the other great swimmers in the 50-54 age group at Montreal, particularly Bruce Robertson who won a silver medal at the Munich Olympics behind Mark Spitz. And, if the printed results of last weeks Zone meet at Rutgers are right, Paul Trevisan just regained his 100 free record. Apparently he led off a relay with a 54.61 SCM split. We will have to get Thornton to write about Paul's training for SWIM. Jack
Great story, Jim!
On a different subject, many people have asked me about the picture. In the photo, waves are crashing around me and there's a fish hanging out of my mouth.
To answer the questions:
1) Was it a real fish?
Yes, it was a real fish (snapper).
2) Was it alive?
No.
3) Was it found on the beach?
No, it was purchased by the stylist at a gourmet seafood market.
4) Was the photo taken at Cannon Beach, Oregon?
No. Snapper is not found on the coast of Oregon. The picture was taken in San Diego. I don't think you can find snapper there, either. Oh well. So much for reality!
5) How did it taste?
I got fish poop in my mouth. Nuff said?
Happy Holidays!
Swimmer Bill
Jim,
I did find your story when I got to NJ and purchased the magazine.Man,that was awesome stuff that you wrote.I too have often felt that swimming "saved" my life,after my wife left with my 1 year old daughter and I couldn't trace them for a few years when they took off to Greece.I know for sure that if I hadn't re-discovered swimming then ,who knows what could have happened.Like you,I always feel that my problems have been washed away when I am in the pool.I always feel like a new man when I get out after a session.Sorry about the cliche.You are a truly gifted writer.
Mark
Well, Swimming never saved my life and as a teenage I wasn't always fond of it. It did help me with weight control and I'n still able to swim fair for my age. I can't believe someone would take their daughter away from them and go to another country.
During age group swimming, I remember a girl, maybe 10 years old, who died of heart problems. There was no way of knowing she had this condition, until after the fact. The doctor believed that swimming probably added a year or two to her life (by strengthening her heart).
Cynthia,
There is a happy ending to the story though!!!My daughter is now 16 and lives about 5 miles from me.They came back to Britain after 7 years in the wilds of Greece.Now I am the happiest guy in the world.I get to see my daughter as much as she wants to see me and I get to swim as much as I want.What more can a man want in life??:)
