A quick question for the knowledgeable readers out there. This NYT magazine called Play recently contacted me about writing a piece for a section they call "Master Class" -- they want me to go someplace warm and get some swimming instruction of some sort.
I know that USMS used to have some kind of program where masters swimmers could apply to go out to Colorado Springs for intensive coaching, stroke analysis in the ICAR flume, etc. Is this still going on, do any of you know, and would it be possible to just do a "lite" version of this (a day or two; bypass the application process; not actually need to be an elite swimmer; etc.)
The other possibilities would be one of Terry's TI camps (though, God help me, front quadrant swimming really hurts my shoulders, and I feel this dog is just too old to learn that particular new trick).
Or--and this might be my favorite of all--didn't Gary Hall, Jr. start some sort of Sprint Club training camp down in Key West or the Bahamas or some similar place that would prove the perfect antidote to Pittsburgh this time of the year, especially if I don't have to pay for it?
Please let me know the details of any such possibiities--the editor did specify he'd prefer me to go someplace "warm and outdoors-y." Which makes two of us.
You have a great job there, Jim. Real hardship duty.
I'm not a camp expert, although I seem to recall there was a recent thread on swim camps.
But I have heard from USS coaches that the camps at Stanford and Auburn are very good, but maybe just for USS swimmers?
Gary Hall's race club has lots of camps. They advertise as the "fantasy" camp where you "can have your cake and eat it too" with a double vaca and swim fest. Who could beat Islamorada and the Cheeca Lodge? www.theraceclub.net or (877) Swim-Race. Besides, if you're a sprint freestyler, that might be a good option for you. (Can you tell I just pulled out my Splash magazine?)
I have also heard that Josh Davis puts on some great camps, not sure if any are for masters swimmers. Terry may have the market cornered on masters camps. I think Josh Davis' camps are called "Ultimate Swimming" or something like that. Can't remember for sure.
Nike has a bunch of camps in many different locations with some of their stars. 1-800-NIKE-CAMP.
What about recent issue of USMS mag? That must list some camps. I'm so jealous. I really need a nice warm vacation ...
I'm sure the coaches on the forum can give you better tips. I'm still waiting to go to the Allen Stark breaststroke camp with FlyQueen.
My son and one of his friends went to a camp at Arizona State Univ. last year that was a good one.
I think I'll save my pennies up and do this one.
www.altitudeswimming.com/
Thanks a million! I will see if I can get the Gray Lady to pay for you to come, too. Do you mind serving as my manservant? The only hard part is giving me a bath at night. It can be hard to tear me away from the TV or video games.
BTW, I took a little sabbatical from posting cause work got busy for a while, but I just sent in my column to Field & Stream, and there might be a bit of quiet before the storm.
This is a totally unrelated point, but I may have discovered last night something very close to bliss on earth: a 6,000 yard practice followed by an Ambien chaser. Some amnesia, yes; but until Morpheus tugged me underground, I must say it was awfully relaxing.
www.altitudeswimming.com/
This looks fantastic! I am getting a sick feeling all of a sudden: if something looks too good to be true, it probably is.
But until the editor (who is on vacation for a week) quashes all hopes, the idea of going to Mexico with my manservant Leslie will sustain me!
I would love to go to Florida, and consider this an outright flagrant romantic gesture that would offend Geek. ;)
You've really played this out. Why don't you find someone or something else to obsess about, seriously.
You've really played this out. Why don't you find someone or something else to obsess about, seriously.
Why don't you actually post a swimming related comment, seriously.
You are a real jerk. Always picking on people, never giving constructive advice. Why don't you obsess about something other than mysterious invisible lurking and zings, seriously.
I won't get into a name calling match wih you, it's obvious you would win. I took a week or so off to cool down and have made a conscientious effort to be more swimming focused since I returned. My comments on the powerbar thread were an attempt to be that way moreso.
I am simply tired of the incessant comments you make about me and gull, who doesn't even post here anymore. They are boring and played out. If that makes me a jerk, fine, you win. I am making a big effort to remain on the swim straight and narrow.
I won't get into a name calling match wih you, it's obvious you would win. I took a week or so off to cool down and have made a conscientious effort to be more swimming focused since I returned. My comments on the powerbar thread were an attempt to be that way moreso.
I am simply tired of the incessant comments you make about me and gull, who doesn't even post here anymore. They are boring and played out. If that makes me a jerk, fine, you win. I am making a big effort to remain on the swim straight and narrow.
No, I think you'd hold up quite well in the battle, although you seem to prefer humiliation and more covert nastiness to outright name calling.
I don't consider a comment or two about power bars to be terribly swimming related.
I will gladly refrain from any further comments about you or Gull on this "discussion" forum. I just felt bad about Gull. I thought I had possibly misinterpreted his last remarks. Your incessant zings are a bit played out as well. Or noodling remarks.
Have fun on the swimming straight and narrow. Even better, straight and nice. I look forward to reading, but not commenting on, an actual post relating to swimming, training or other real meaty swimming issue.
Note: a gentle nudging back to the main topic here!
Please, what we are attempting to do in this thread is pretty simple, not settle grudges, not venting spleens, but simply making the life of me, Jim Thornton, as incredibly fun as possible.
I won't be selfish with my future swim camp ecstacies! I shall document these in great detail so you, too, can vicariously enjoy them.
But first things first, please! We must make MY life totally wonderful before I can write about MY wonderful life in such a way as to put a smile on the faces of readers everywhere!
Along these lines, I am asking for a refined swim camp search: ideally, my swim camp experienced now will not only involve tropical or subtropical paradise, with the expert coaching of Olympians whose only goal is to help me swim better than them, but also, I want the food to be good: lobster with drawn butter, for instance, as a revitalizing snack between sets, then a really good meal afterwards.
Jim, I'd make a much better servent then Fort, I'm younger, remember.
I think Walnut Creek has a Masters Camp, too. If I were you I'd go for the Gary Hall Jr./Race Club Camp ... sounds AMAZING! One day, when I marry an orthopod, like Fort told me to, that is what I'll do ...
