Thought it would be neat to share our stories about the best athlete we ever swam with. Note that it is not necessarily the fastest or best swimmer we have trained with.
The best athlete I ever trained with was a young man that showed up for my masters swim group. He was training to pass the test to be a Navy SEAL officer. Having graduated from a non-Naval Academy college, the standards for making the officers cut were tough. He was, however, a good prospect.
With no prior competitive swim background, he was able to get his 500 yard sidestroke down to a 7:30 in a matter of a few months. However, this was not the main thing that impressed me. It was the times/scores on his practice tests which I helped time him on.
Here is what he could do:
500 yard sidestroke swim: 7:30
8 minute rest
2 minutes of push-ups: # done was 112
2 minute rest
2 minutes of sit-ups: # done was 110
2 minute rest
max number of pull-ups (palms facing away from body): 25
8 minute rest
1.5 mile run done in combat boots and long pants: 9:05.
The guy was a machine. Speed, strength, endurance, and power. Doing 25 pull-ups shortly after a hard swim, pushups, and sit-ups was impressive! The young man decided not to pursue a career in the Navy but chose to stay near family. Last I heard he had started his own business and was doing well.
Philipp, I'm right there with you on the definition of athlete. Sure, a lot of the aforementioned names are great swimmers (and for the record, Katie Hoff and I shared water once), but I'd challenge everyone to think of someone who can do something well other than swim. Philipp is right on the money.
I can't think of anyone I'd like to praise at the moment.
Philip, what you wrote was so sweet about your sweetie.
Let me add my sister here, Jennifer Engelstad. She just completed her umpteenth Ironman in Lake Placid. She does at least one Ironman a year with a few halfs and short ones every year as well. She has represented the US at World Triathlon Championships twice, coming in 6th in her age group both times (2nd female overall out of the water last time!). She is truly a dynamo! She trains for these long, grueling races while also being a VP of a company and working long hours. She is amazing in my book and I'm honored to be her sister. I only wish we didn't live 800 miles away so we could train together.
I also swam in the same pool as Inge de Bruijn as she was getting ready for the 2004 Olympics. She was amazing to watch. I used to go underwater just to watch her stroke. And yes, she had the fingernails then, too.
Philipp, I'm right there with you on the definition of athlete. Sure, a lot of the aforementioned names are great swimmers (and for the record, Katie Hoff and I shared water once), but I'd challenge everyone to think of someone who can do something well other than swim. Philipp is right on the money.
I can't think of anyone I'd like to praise at the moment.
Philip, what you wrote was so sweet about your sweetie.
Let me add my sister here, Jennifer Engelstad. She just completed her umpteenth Ironman in Lake Placid. She does at least one Ironman a year with a few halfs and short ones every year as well. She has represented the US at World Triathlon Championships twice, coming in 6th in her age group both times (2nd female overall out of the water last time!). She is truly a dynamo! She trains for these long, grueling races while also being a VP of a company and working long hours. She is amazing in my book and I'm honored to be her sister. I only wish we didn't live 800 miles away so we could train together.
I also swam in the same pool as Inge de Bruijn as she was getting ready for the 2004 Olympics. She was amazing to watch. I used to go underwater just to watch her stroke. And yes, she had the fingernails then, too.
