This weekend was our Pacific Masters Championships. It was a close battle between WCM and USF and I don't know who won at this very moment. I don't care.
You see, I left right before the 1000 today (the last event) right after the last relays. I watched some great swims today. Amazing swims. My friend Brendon swam a 2:03 200 fly and really hit his taper (as he's not going to Nationals)- we were teasing about how he does really well the week after a tapered meet. He seemed to finally figure it out this time.
My friend Stephen called me tonight and told me that Brendon also had a great 1000, was warming down, had a heart attack and died. He was 35. I was stunned. I've been crying since then trying to make sense of it all. It doesn't make sense.
I called some other friends and no one else can believe it either. Suddenly, the meet doesn't matter, swimming doesn't matter, what matters is that we lost a really great guy today. He was always so happy, funny, and loved to tell jokes. He was really good natured and fun to be around. I will miss him terribly.
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Former Member
Karen
My wife and I just read your post and tears came to our eyes, remembering all of our swimming friends who have passed on, so many some in car accidents travelling to meets, training accidents, and 60 or so marathon swimmers, as Johnny Lacoursiere said " George you, Abou Heif and I are the only ones left". But we do have to keep going no matter how badly we feel. Our condolances to Brendons family and friends.
George
Karen
My wife and I just read your post and tears came to our eyes, remembering all of our swimming friends who have passed on, so many some in car accidents travelling to meets, training accidents, and 60 or so marathon swimmers, as Johnny Lacoursiere said " George you, Abou Heif and I are the only ones left". But we do have to keep going no matter how badly we feel. Our condolances to Brendons family and friends.
George
