The Fastest Age

Originally posted by botterud ... When we go to meets,... ... carl botterud When? Last year I went to seven meets and I did all of the cheering that you say. My point is that I am not ducking out workouts or meets. I stand up every day.

Originally posted by knelson Um, can't you two use the private message function if you want to argue back and forth like this? No.

Originally posted by Ion Beza You are a late starter in swimming, like me. Right? That's what I compare. I did 12:25 in 1,000 free a few months ago, at age 44. And you at age 34 are much slower than me. That's where training comes into the picture. I train better than you. Your comparison self servingly omits several important facts taht I already pointed out, therefore, your conclusions are not objective. Once I'm in a good physical shape, I'll easily see your 12:25.

Thank you guys for the words of encouragement. You're all too kind. :) Just like Carl mentioned, I too am in a similar wonderful team environment where everyone is very kind, and yet manages to be very accomplished and competetive, from the brand new swimmers to several all americans and former Olympians that I get to swim with every morning. Along with our Coach, Mark Moore, whom I look up to and absolutely adore. As I wrote in his SPMA Coach of the Year letter of nomination, he's the epitome of knowledge, skill, vision, patience, kindness and dedication. I consider myself extremely fortunate to be a part of such a wonderful team, my friends here on the Bulletin board and a part of this great organization, the USMS. As for the sour apples, it's bet to not give them audience. They thrive in attention, even if negative. They're not worth ruining the positive atmosphere of this group. I'd like to paraphrase my coach here: "It's a new day! Let's move onward an upward." :D

Originally posted by Conniekat8 ... Once I'm in a good physical shape, I'll easily see your 12:25. You know what? This is the song of the USMS chorus. From East to West.

Originally posted by Conniekat8 I'd like to paraphrase my coach here: "It's a new day! Let's move onward an upward." Very impressive swimming for a "late starter." Keep up the good work--you obviously have some talent. As one of my former coaches, Rob Orr, used to say: "Let's go, let's go! Ticky tocky goes the clocky!" (Imagine that at 6 am!)

Originally posted by botterud For me: USMS SCY Nationals in Phoenix (2003) Huntington Beach Pier Swim (2003) Balboa to Newport Pier to Pier (2003) Hermosa to Manhattan Pier to Pier (2003) Maui Channel Relay (2003) Waikiki Roughwater (2003, did not finish) Red & Black Intrasquad SCY (2003) Caltech Pentathalon (2004) Awesome! I've been to every single SPMA meet since 3 weeks after I started swimming. Starting with the SPMA and SW Zone Long course championships, which was my very first swim meet - heh, I never start small ;) That would be 11 of them since July of '03, and other than just swimming, I'm hevily involved with my team, starting with the website and the '05 Nationals organizing comittee etc etc... Ion happens to be in the same Zone as I, and I never saw him at any of the meets. I did meet a number of other wonderful San Diego swimmers, including Carlyn Pipes-Nielsen. She's one of my heroes! :D Well, aside from my best friend, who has a number of top ten placements in my age group, including All Americans. She's set out to break Carlyns records in next several years... And I set out to try and catch my friend... In few years. It's cute to see that even though I'm still so far behind, my progress has made her nervous... well enough to ramp up her training. (I can't catch her in my dreams, but we razz each other) Just wonderul examples of how little bit of rivalry can make friendships grow stronger.

I do not understand why you have to have constant battles here. I think everyone here is just trying to do the best they can, within the framework of their life and what fits in their life. There is every reason you should be proud of what you have accomplished, but so should Connie, so should I, so should anyone who gets themselves to the pool and trains. It is not easy as an adult to commit ourselves to exercise as is shown in society today, most don't. I will take my times and my practices, pitiful as they may seem to you, because they are an accomplishment to me. I am proud of them, and proud that I am doing myself good. Just as I am proud of the slow Masters woman in our group who has battled cancer, the slow triathlete who is trying to improve his swimming stroke, and the faster 6-4 man I am always trying to catch up to and never can! So quote away, criticize away, and correct my spelling, because yes I don't spell well, but chill out.

Originally posted by gull80 Very impressive swimming for a "late starter." Keep up the good work--you obviously have some talent. As one of my former coaches, Rob Orr, used to say: "Let's go, let's go! Ticky tocky goes the clocky!" (Imagine that at 6 am!) Thank you! I hear ya! Our workouts are at 5AM! Coach Mark gets everyone going, very enthusiastically at that time of the morning. Then we have a second batch coming at 6AM. Then later on after practice he confides that he's feeling so Ill (nauseated and tired) he had to pull over by the side of the road and get sick on the way to the practice. :(

Watch out, Connie. He's not buttering you up since you have shamed him with your workouts and improvement. Hey Ion, we all have demanding jobs. Get over yourself.