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
Former Member
Wwo Hhoo! It's Feb. 1, that means we have all tallied our January yardage (mileage for the real Masters of Masters Swimming). Just wanted to ask how everyone did? I finished up about where I anticipated, 29,125 yards/16.54 miles. I know, not a lot by most standards but a good start for me. I'm also happy with the quality of my swims, a lot of good drill sets and good sprint sets w/plenty of rest and of course some distance sets as well. This will not rack up tons of miles for me but will get me faster so that when I join all of you in Austin 2008 I will have made the cuts by more than the skin of my teeth. Nancytris, how'd you do -- you were thinking you would get to about 15 miles by the end of Jan. Hope you made it!
I mentioned the event to one of my coaches and was surprised at his negative response: "An event that only keeps track of yardage will encourage less quality swimming." I told him he was wrong (based on what I said above)! Wondering if others participating in this event agree with me.
Can't wait till March 1 to see if I get up to 20 miles!
Kimberlie,
Great job on your first month!! Keep it up! I think you can reach your goal.
Question for you on your coach's comment. Is he or she currently a masters swimmer? For me, it's fun, interesting, novel ideas like "Go the Distance" that keep me motivated and psyched about swimming every day. Does he or she swim and compete regularly as an adult? (Not asking if he/ she *was* an accomplished swimmer as a youth/ young adult.) Thanks for filling us in.
This coach with the negative attitude towards the event has been swimming regularly with the masters team for a number of years, he is a triathlete and when he swims in meets it is mostly distance events. That's why I asked if he was aware of the "Go The Distance" event; I thought it would really appeal to him and I thought maybe he could inspire some of our other team members to join also... maybe a number of our team members could enjoy this distance event together! I'm still going to try to get others to join in.
I agree with you..."Go The Distance" will help me stay motivated each day; I enjoy seeing what my work adds up to, and that is different than just swimming to add up yardage.
Wow! So much for my theory. I was thinking that he had not "walked in masters' shoes" and was simply making a statement about something he had no idea about. For me, it's anything to prevent boredom and to encourage participation and excitement. :dunno: :dunno:
I'd chalk it up to his being extra cranky from his bike shorts being too tight that day. :rofl:
This is simply a fantastic event:applaud: ! Kimberlie -- I came in just under my 15 mile goal at 13 miles and I am quite pleased. I certainly agree with all the others here about your coach being off the track. If I only swam for distance not even this event could add much interest. I enjoy doing different things almost each workout -- unless I find one I like a lot and stay with that for about a week -- and add just an extra lap or two of warm up or cool down to see those meters climb:groovy: I don't think that's a bad thing... AND, I now do a much longer workout than I had been doing and not simply to add distance. It just gives me a focus.
I am very satisfied with January's mileage but I did miss a time or two in the pool (life you know). If I continue to be consistent for February I am going to once again aim for that elusive 15 miles!
Great work everyone -- I love being a member of the "group".
Nancy
Kimberlie here from my old log-in,Swim n again, (laptop at home) that I can't remember how to get into from work so I accidentally created the new Kimberlie Streed trying to get into the forum one day -- ANYWHO --
blainesapprentice (Morgan, right?) how do you one get to 74.5 miles in a month? That is awesome. :applaud: :applaud: :applaud: Mind if I ask how old you are?
Rich, sorry to have to ask, it's probably obvious, but what does "Shoal" mean?
And, Nancy, what about "OMG"? Unfortunately I'm as slow in the water as I am in everything else. Gives my family a lot to laugh about! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
