from the PacMasters Update Email
Ross Shoemaker, RIP
1942-2007
Ross Shoemaker died suddenly at the Senior Games following one of his swims. Ross had collapsed on the deck, and was not able to be revived. It is a terrible loss - Ross was a longtime member of the San Mateo Marlins, a warm and supportive man, and a devoted swimmer with an encouraging word for everyone.
Ross coached at Chabot Junior College for many years. Services are pending.
I don't think I need to point out the frequncy with which these unfortunate events have been occuring recently. Should active swimmers be getting stress echos or something as they get older? Are simple BP and lipid screens simply not enough?
Former Member
"Do not go gentle into that good night" is about swimming even when old. I did a play on the words, from memory. Some people want to "go gentle into that good night", others might swim into it. Our own famous brazilian Maria Lenk, world record holder in the upper ages, died about a month ago after a swim. She was 92 years old and the autopsy showed a massive aortic aneurysm. Not caused by swimming, but by her age maybe? Lots of controversy over her swimming at 92 in the local press. Her training was 1,500 meters per day. She was planning on swimming 1,500 free at a meet, just a couple of weeks ago, in Brasilia. billy fanstone
Obviously this is a personal choice and there is no right or wrong answer. Having said that, I would prefer to not meet my demise with a combination of intense pectoral/chest angina and drowning. Maybe I am just a wimp.
I most likely will continue swimming well into my elderly years but not to the point of increasing my risk for cardiac events. It will be a decision made with the input of a qualified physician at the time.
"Do not go gentle into that good night" is about swimming even when old. I did a play on the words, from memory. Some people want to "go gentle into that good night", others might swim into it. Our own famous brazilian Maria Lenk, world record holder in the upper ages, died about a month ago after a swim. She was 92 years old and the autopsy showed a massive aortic aneurysm. Not caused by swimming, but by her age maybe? Lots of controversy over her swimming at 92 in the local press. Her training was 1,500 meters per day. She was planning on swimming 1,500 free at a meet, just a couple of weeks ago, in Brasilia. billy fanstone
At 92 I don't think you need to worry too much about premature death. Just enjoy your life. It seems this is the choice she made.
92 seems like a lot of years for my 401k to cover!
The lady (maria lenk) was surrounded by physicians. She had all the money and opportunity to be examined. She lived in New Mexico with her american husband and came down here to swim and visit. No way to predict an aortic or other aneurysm. The thing would have blown up with her swimming or not. That is my point. I am not saying for people to perform hara kiri by swimming. I am just saying that within certain limits, it is not the swimming that will kill you. It is underlying diseases that will kill you whatever you do.
Research is helping us learn more about:
1. Early detection of CAD, and
2. Identification of the "vulnerable" plaque.
That's how more of these deaths can be prevented. Until then, it stands to reason that you should (with your physician) assess your risk for CAD and modify your risk factors accordingly. The risk associated with smoking a pack a day is far greater than the risk of competitive swimming.
I can only assume this is also a joke. Losing weight too taxing on a person? What about the overall health benefits, forget the swim benefits only.
I definitely think a doctor should be involved with a weight loss and/or athletic program but I doubt there are many doctors who would state that weight loss would be too taxing to consider. Who knows, maybe it would be.
Well I'm 180 to lose the last 10lbs would require a huge output of energy and commitment that I think would be taxing on me. It's not like Iam in that bad a shape. So while slightly humourous tone...not a joke per se.
Matt, I am pretty sure that fellow-who-used-to-post-here-and-was-the-fastest-in-the-world-of-people-with-his-precise-background outed you as a wimp long ago. He pegged me as a socialist, so I say just throw someone else's money at the problem.
aaaah, whatever happend to that guy... he was ultra annoying
Sure. Sleep is also more dangerous than driving drunk.
.... and some people, when they read somewhere that most accidents occur within a few hundred yards of "home", decided to play it safe and move.
Jocularity aside, we all remember I believe the case of that young health guru, a few years ago, who used to run (if memory serves) and who dies suddenly. You never know when IT is gonna hit (or grab) you. So, live the best you know how and then come what may ...........
.... and some people, when they read somewhere that most accidents occur within a few hundred yards of "home", decided to play it safe and move.
Jocularity aside, we all remember I believe the case of that young health guru, a few years ago, who used to run (if memory serves) and who dies suddenly. You never know when IT is gonna hit (or grab) you. So, live the best you know how and then come what may ...........
Yes, you never know. Be that as it may, there are certain activities that are going to increase your chances of having IT happen sooner than it might otherwise occur.
Gull pointed out there are no good studies on the effect of vigorous exercise on longevity. There are studies saying moderate exercise is beneficial,but to my knowlege there are none saying it is better than vigorous exercise. Case studies and anecdotal data are not a substitute for controlled studies. It is hard to get volnteers to engage in vigorous exercise and matching Masters athletes with controls probably wouldn't work as I suspect we are more health conscious(but it might make some interesting studies.) For me,swimming fast feels good,my cardiac tests so far don't say I can't,so I will.
