Go the Distance in 2008?

RE: Go the Distance in 2008?

Former Member — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 05:25:59 GMT

Hi Mary, I already emailed you my suggestions. Just like to add that I think everyone would enjoy it. The spread sheet is sooooo easy to use and you really do feel like you're accomplishing something even when you have a less than stellar day in the pool. I don't want to miss my swims 'cause I want to hit the 50 mile mark by early July. I REALLY hope you'll keep GTD for 2008. It's just an awesome event!!!!:cheerleader:

RE: Go the Distance in 2008?

marysweat — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 02:36:12 GMT

I am not a participant. Most likely the requirment of writing down the distance of the workout would keep me from participating, however, that is not the reason that I did not join in. (of course, those who know me when I lead the lane know that I have a difficult time counting above three, let alone total up the daily yardage. Well, I have been known to over estimate the yardage done in one day). I dont recall hearing any thing about about the Go the Distance fitness program. It certainly did not rise above the noise of the other USMS programs that I hear about. If I had, I would have promoted it in Pacific. If you are still taking new entries, it might be a good thing to do for the second half of the year. michael chairman, Pacific Masters Hi Michael, YES - I am most definitely taking new entries at any time someone wishes to join the fun! It's pretty simple and easy to participate in - folks just need to send me an email with their name, age as of 12/31/07, usms id and the distance they swim each month. That's it and it's free! Your comment begs the question though ... how do I (we) promote this event and let folks know 1) that it exists, 2) how to play with us, 3) what the goals are and 4) that they (you!) can join us at any time? Originally an Tracy sent out announcement (12/30/06) for us to the LMSC chairs, Fitness Chairs, Webmasters and Editors. Bill Volckening put a blurb in USMS Swimmer. It's probably word of mouth that has extended the participation since the initial flurry of activity. Would a follow-up announcement at the midyear point be worthwhile? Any suggestions you might have as to how to advertise GTD at this point would be greatly appreciated! Mary gothedistance@swimoregon.org

RE: Go the Distance in 2008?

michaelmoore — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 01:14:00 GMT

If you aren't a GTD participant - it would also be extremely beneficial to hear why not- or better yet - what could be done differently so that you would want to participate! I am not a participant. Most likely the requirment of writing down the distance of the workout would keep me from participating, however, that is not the reason that I did not join in. (of course, those who know me when I lead the lane know that I have a difficult time counting above three, let alone total up the daily yardage. Well, I have been known to over estimate the yardage done in one day). I dont recall hearing any thing about about the Go the Distance fitness program. It certainly did not rise above the noise of the other USMS programs that I hear about. If I had, I would have promoted it in Pacific. If you are still taking new entries, it might be a good thing to do for the second half of the year. michael chairman, Pacific Masters

RE: Go the Distance in 2008?

Former Member — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 13:16:44 GMT

Fantastic Idea! Keep up the great work! This is a wonderful motivation for all my swimmers!

RE: Go the Distance in 2008?

swimshark — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 06:25:47 GMT

Mary, I too love the GTD. I think the idea is great. It has made me get more motivated in the water. I think my age group coach loves it since I complain to him when I don't think we've done enough yardage. The age group kids don't like that hee-hee. I love the 365 idea. I would do that one!! Alison

RE: Go the Distance in 2008?

Former Member — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 16:42:15 GMT

Mary, here is a copy of my email response to you earlier in the day: we think the GTD event should be offered again next year. We are enjoying the program and will plan to do it again next year, using the spreadsheet, whether or not there is a coordinated USMS effort. As far as milestones, that's not so interesting to us as just seeing where we stand among other swimmers we run into at meets, so we don't have any particular suggestions there. Keep up the good work, though, because this is the ONLY one of these kinds of programs that we have ever participated in! -- mel & grace dyck For those of you who are not already participating, Mary will still take input, I believe. So, if you are keeping track of your yardage, there's still time to jump in. Just fill in the Excel spreadsheet template available from the USMS web site.

RE: Go the Distance in 2008?

Former Member — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 12:46:03 GMT

Mary I think it is a great way to keep some of us solo trainers going regularly to the pool, and to eke out maybe a little more distance here and there. Can't think of a way to improve the event...but maybe there could be some sort of designation of awards to show distance completed in OW and pool. Maybe some of the swimmers that do both would like a way to record, or display their multiple aqua-talents! ;) Rich

RE: Go the Distance in 2008?

Former Member — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 12:21:31 GMT

Mary, Will you please explain what "Go The Distance" is for those of us that don't know?

RE: Go the Distance in 2008?

smontanaro — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 09:57:06 GMT

I think it's great as well (I'm somewhere between a fitness swimmer and a competitive swimmer). Mary sent the same request to the current GTD participants. Here's my reply: I say keep it. I'm training for the postal series which offers five goals through the year, but they are generally pretty far apart and making time for swimming with family committments and what not is more difficult than I'd like. It's easy to rationalize like so: Eh, it's only mid-June. I'm not swimming the 10k until late August. What's the harm in missing today's practice? OTOH, In GTD every day is a mini-goal. So it goes like so: OMG! If I don't put in at least a few yards today I'll have lost that mileage forever! This week is bike-to-work week in Chicago (maybe across the country?). I rode in to work every day (13+ miles one way). I added the extra challenge of trying to get in some swim yardage all five days as well. Not full workouts, more like 1500-2000 yards, fairly easy either as a warmup before a ride or as a way to limber up afterwards. Without GTD as a motivation I might well have taken the whole week off from swimming. GTD to the rescue! So, I think it's a great program. Assuming USMS keeps it for 2008 I'm going to try to get more of my teammates to participate. Along the lines of things you might use to embellish the event... Maybe offer a monthly relay challenge. Each LMSC could put together one or more relays much the same way relays are created for the postal swims. I don't know how complex you'd want to get with it. The postal series offers men's, women's and mixed relays. The age group is determined by the age of the youngest relay team member. Skip Montanaro

RE: Go the Distance in 2008?

knelson — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 09:49:40 GMT

I think it's great. I've always logged my workouts, but up until this event never kept track of my cumulative mileage. I think I've ended up swimming more because of the event. It's also nice to see how you stack up against the other swimmers out there. I'd definitely like to see the event continue. The only improvement I can think of would be to automate the submission process on the USMS website rather than emailing you every month. Not that this is a big imposition on us, but I imagine it's a lot of work for you, Mary.

RE: Go the Distance in 2008?

waves101 — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 09:45:06 GMT

Mary, I think it's a great event. I also think the MAD suggestion is a good idea. I set my goal of a mile a day earlier in the year and thus far I'm still on track. The event helps to get me to the pool on those days I may otherwise skip. Also, I can have cross-country competitions with those I know or are in my age group. Hope to see it extended in '08.

RE: Go the Distance in 2008?

Rob Copeland — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 08:34:02 GMT

You can find information on Go the Distance at www.usms.org/fitness/content/gothedistance Mary, I think it is a wonderful program!

RE: Go the Distance in 2008?

poolraat — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 06:48:58 GMT

Mary, I think this GTD program is awesome, as is the spreadsheet you designed to keep track of our mileage. I would look forward to doing it again next year. And most definitely, add the 365 award. That is about where I'll end up this year at the current pace.

RE: Go the Distance in 2008?

marysweat — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 06:44:43 GMT

Why is it that I never know about cool stuff like this until it is to late? (Probably because in January I was driving by the new pool (and only one) being built in my area daily to see when it would be done. ) I read thru your info just now including your updates, I hope you do it again, cause me and my measly 12-16 miles a month plan on signing up. Heck might take it up to 18-20 miles :) Go For It! You can join the fun at any time! Just send me an email with your name, age as of 12/31/07, usms id number and the distance you swim in June! It's that easy! If you have a good guess as to how far you swam in the earlier months this year I will be happy to enter those for you too! Mary gothedistance@swimoregon.org

RE: Go the Distance in 2008?

dorothyrde — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 06:11:04 GMT

RE: Go the Distance in 2008?

Former Member — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 06:05:02 GMT

RE: Go the Distance in 2008?

Former Member — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 06:04:41 GMT

Mary, I LOVE GTD. Gives me some purpose in my workouts. For the first time ever, I know what kind of yardage I'm putting in. Keeps me swimming and in the pool. I tend to have the best attendance possible (unless sick or injured). Even if I have a terrible workout (like today), at least I can come home, log the distance, and still feel like I accomplished something. I hope we keep this event for 2008. Like everything about it. I need to get more of my local swimmer friends into this. Distance milestones look good to me.

RE: Go the Distance in 2008?

Donna — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 05:47:34 GMT

Mary, I have been keeping track of my workouts and yardage since 2006 and the spreadsheet is a fantastic tool. Keeps me on track with a goal of making 750 for the year. I would love to see this back next year too. Donna:applaud: