2009 USMS Short Course National Championships

I watched several very exciting heats of the men's 500. The fastest heat of men 45-49 was a good race, with six men at 5:05 or under including our host Fresnoid. They all looked smooth and strong, but the guy who won was especially remarkable because he kept up a furious kick the entire way to finish in 4:46. Then the top heat of men 40-44 was outstanding, with three finishing under 4:43. The top 10 in 40-44 were all under 5:00. Several forum regulars medaled in today's open water mile, too. The conditions were fabulous--almost too nice. Perfect temps in the water and out, and no chop or current, so you barely even had to sight. I was really glad I stayed for it, because I would so much rather swim a mile in a lake than in a 25Y pool! That one guy was a full lap ahead of the rest of us. But check the splits to see who went from 5th to 3rd in the last 50.:D

I watched several very exciting heats of the men's 500. The fastest heat of men 45-49 was a good race, with six men at 5:05 or under including our host Fresnoid. They all looked smooth and strong, but the guy who won was especially remarkable because he kept up a furious kick the entire way to finish in 4:46. Then the top heat of men 40-44 was outstanding, with three finishing under 4:43. The top 10 in 40-44 were all under 5:00. Several forum regulars medaled in today's open water mile, too. The conditions were fabulous--almost too nice. Perfect temps in the water and out, and no chop or current, so you barely even had to sight. I was really glad I stayed for it, because I would so much rather swim a mile in a lake than in a 25Y pool! That one guy was a full lap ahead of the rest of us. But check the splits to see who went from 5th to 3rd in the last 50.:D