Announcing the new 2007 USMS Fitness Event: Go the Distance!
A new fitness event is being offered by the USMS Fitness Committee. The name of this new challenge is “Go the Distance”!
The objective of this event is for participants to track the distance they swim during the year 2007. When participants achieve specific distance milestones of 50 miles, 100 miles, 250 miles, 500 miles, 750 miles and 1000 miles – they will be recognized on the USMS website and awards will be available for purchase (for a minimal fee).
There is no cost to enter this event. Participants are requested to email (or use snail mail) to submit the total distance they swim each month. A list of miles per month and cumulative mileage will be tabulated for each swimmer. Once a distance milestone is achieved awards will be available for purchase. They will include swim caps, certificates, patches and t-shirts with the event logo and the distance of the milestone achieved. Details on these awards and how to purchase them will be available soon.
Each month the results will be updated on the USMS website in the Fitness Section. There will be lists to recognize all those that have achieved each distance milestone. Participants will also be able to look up their current total as well as view their progress toward the next distance milestone. In addition there will be graphs illustrating the participation for each zone, lmsc, age groups etc..
This event was designed to encourage folks to track the distance they swim in order to review their progress and to be recognized for their achievements. There is no time limit for the distance milestones (except that it must be in 2007) so speed does not count – just the effort to attain the next goal. We wish to recognize participation and achievement of goals with this event.
There will be an entry form, monthly results, award request form and a “distance tracking log” available on the USMS website (fitness section) soon. The log can be used to track one’s daily distance swum but is not required.
The Canadian Masters have a Million Metre Challenge that is quite successful. This event is similar in design but will be implemented a bit differently in the beginning. And of course, our goals will be in miles instead of meters!
I would very much appreciate it if you could spread the word to folks and consider participating yourselves! If you need any more information or would like to comment and make suggestions please contact Mary Sweat at gothedistance@swimoregon.org
Wishing you lots of fun swimming in 2007!
Mary Sweat
For the USMS Fitness Committee
Mary,
Can't wait to get started! Went to the pool today....not open for lap swim. Will begin 6:00am tomorrow morning. Thanks for doing this.
Cheers,
Smurt
Any word on when the info will be up on the fitness section?!
Also, do the other contests that are still on that page, but over, restart for the new year? Just wondering, because they also looked like fun!
Thanks,
Morgan
Hi Morgan,
I am hoping that the entry form and log for tracking your mileage will be posted on the website soon (maybe any day now). The files are ready but the web folks are very busy at this time.
As far as the other fitness events for 2007 .... the "go the distance" event is the new, revamped version of the Virtual Swim Series. However, we will keep the Virtual Swims and logs available for your use and enjoyment. If you choose do a virtual swim, just make sure to enter your distance swum in the "go the distance!" event instead!
Both the Check-Off-Challenge and 30 minute swim events are being offered in 2007. Hugh Moore is a contact for the check-off-challenge and PNA will be hosting the 30 minute swim. I hope information regarding these events will be available on the website soon.
Stay tuned for the information to be posted under the fitness section on the USMS website,
Mary
Sounds like fun, I'm in. We should count kicking and pulling too or just swimming?
Hi Kimberlie,
The use of swim toys (er ... equipment) is just fine for this event! The mileage you enter is simply how far you have gone in the water ... in whatever way you like! However, I suppose motorized devices should not be allowed .... !
Mary
Any word on when the info will be up on the fitness section?!
Also, do the other contests that are still on that page, but over, restart for the new year? Just wondering, because they also looked like fun!
Thanks,
Morgan
Hi Folks,
The entry form for the new USMS event "Go the Distance" is now available on the USMS website under the fitness section!
Also available is a "mileage tracking log" which is an Excel spreadsheet. Use of this tracking log is not required to enter this event. It's simply a tool provided for those of you who might not being using any mileage tracking tools at this time.
I hope you all will have a look at the entry form, track your mileage and then send in your first monthly results at the end of January!
Please let me know if you would like any more information.
Mary
Thanks Mary,
The excel sheet looks intimidating to me :dunno: I guess I am simply not computer savvy enough to understand how to use it. So I will simply keep track in my notebook and email you the total distance at the end of the month.
Do we need to send all the information indicated on the entry form to you each month (age, address, USMS ID, etc.) or just the first time we enter our distance?
Thanks again, this is a motivator for me :groovy:
Nancy
Hi Nancy,
I'm glad you are interested in this new event!
You won't need to send all of the information each month - just the first time. Once you are entered in the event you will only need to send your name (unless your email address is really obvious!) and distance for the month.
As far as the excel spreadsheet - it certainly is not required - and it is no better than a calendar, notebook or beer napkin! Should you feel brave and playful someday - try just entering the distance you swim in the column next to the day you swam (either the yards, meters or miles column) and it will do the rest for you! Let me know if you would like some more information!
Mary
