Big Shoulders Question

RE: Big Shoulders Question

Rob Copeland — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:08:45 GMT

USMS has heard the concerns expressed about the t-shirts and awards used by the Big Shoulders event organizers. USMS and its Illinois Local Masters Swim Committee issued a sanction to the Big Shoulders race based upon how the competition would be conducted. Event merchandise and awards were not shown to USMS or the LMSC or included in the sanction determination prior to the race. USMS and its LMSCs do not promote or engage in political or lobbying activities or endorse candidates for office. USMS regrets any unintended association between USMS and the event organizers' decision to use a candidate's image on t-shirts and awards and apologizes to those who were offended by this use. In addition, this and related threads are being closed. A number of posts have strayed into political discourse and have been deleted (as per USMS policy). The next step would be to ban posters of serious or satiric political posts, however I believe at this point our best course of action is to close the threads and move on. Hopefully everyone has had their opportunity to comment. Please feel free to PM me if you strongly object.

RE: Big Shoulders Question

srcoyote — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:22:19 GMT

It was indeed a great day for swimming. I had gotten in the afternoon before to acclimate to lake temp, and on Fri. afternoon, there was big chop and lots of debris. By Saturday morning, it was sunny and relatively calm. I enjoyed that swim thoroughly and will definitely do it again. For those not digging the cold water, I found that it helped me perserve energy. I train in a 82-84 degree pool, and am wiped out after 5K in that. In the Lake, I felt that a gel pack would have seen me twice more around the circuit. It was more of a contact sport than I had anticipated, but everything I experienced seemed purely incidental. BTW, I loved the shirt design. I didn't read anything political into it, and it far surpasses any other event shirt I have. I might actually wear this one. Put McCain in goggles, Nader in a speedo, either Clinton in a wet suit or Ron Paul naked in flippers with a similar design and I would have thought the same. Bring it on.

RE: Big Shoulders Question

sydned — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:14:31 GMT

I'd think about flying to Chicago to do the race if this shirts were always that cool. I love it. And I love that people can actually have a sense of humor about it!

RE: Big Shoulders Question

Former Member — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:02:51 GMT

I agree that it was a "boneheaded move" to politicize the swim shirt... but it's a pretty cool shirt design, artistically speaking. Much better than the usual crap I get stuck with. One triathlon I did this year didn't even give us a shirt at all :eek: Don't they understand why we do these events?

RE: Big Shoulders Question

Former Member — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:13:06 GMT

OK, here's the cause of shirtgate :) thats funny! again, i will offer an ow shirt trade to any offended party. how about a red and white 2007 chesapeake bay technical shirt....never worn size large. or a 2008 chesapeake bay long sleeve airbrush design size large........i've got a million of 'em.

RE: Big Shoulders Question

Former Member — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 11:01:24 GMT

Kirk, could you post a picture of the T-shirt so we can see what all the fuss is about?

RE: Big Shoulders Question

knelson — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 08:37:10 GMT

Kirk, could you post a picture of the T-shirt so we can see what all the fuss is about? OK, here's the cause of shirtgate :)

RE: Big Shoulders Question

ViveBene — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 07:50:51 GMT

Here's a view of Ohio Street Beach after the swim. Oh, Pete's sake. It's probably the only image that will ever show me, and I am in the middle of a beach change! (No, I'm not telling you where to look!!) :joker:

RE: Big Shoulders Question

knelson — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 06:49:17 GMT

Hey Kirk, I am interviewing for a Washington State job this week.. Are there any nice pools around the North central park of the state near Pateros or Brewster? I'll be honest with you, I had no idea where Pateros and Brewster were until I looked on a map. I really know nothing about that area, but I'm guessing there probably aren't a whole lot of pools around there. Eastern Washington and Western Washington are very different beasts! Back to the event... Wow, the weather was fantastic and the water temp was great. Too bad you were scared off, Hoosier, because it really was fun. I swam my fastest time ever, but didn't place as high as I thought I would (12th overall). Looking at the results there were a lot of very fast guys (and gal: Erica Rose) in their early to mid 20s this year. Anyway, another great event. I didn't realize people objected to the shirt until I read this thread and the other one. I didn't get the negative vibe at the event itself. Out of the countless shirts I've gotten at meets and OW swims this is the first one my wife actually said she likes! Here's a view of Ohio Street Beach after the swim.

RE: Big Shoulders Question

Former Member — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 14:30:18 GMT

Well, I wussed out of Big Shoulders. Why? because I decided that to get up at 4 am for the nearly 3 hr drive to the race, only to get there and discover the water temp under 70 degrees,(reported to be 67 late Friday) causing me not to swim, that wasnt a chance I was willing to take. To bad, as I actually was looking forward to my first swim in Lake Michigan (going to do the 2.5 k) and first swim with that many participants. The problem, you see, is the only pool available to me is kept at 85 degrees year round,(water aerobics class disease, Pool director says," I dont think it is all that warm") which makes it tough to go swim in a 67 degree lake. I swam a few days in a local lake but it was above 80 (small lake). Next year I will find a colder lake and perhapse swim for the two weeks leading up to Big Shoulders in it alone. Anyone else have the same problem? What do you do to compensate for the difference in temperature? Am I just to big a wuss?

RE: Big Shoulders Question

Former Member — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 12:10:32 GMT

Didnt know Obama was a distance swimmer.....did he do the 5k or 2.5 k? This is way out of line, what was the tie in? Did he sponser the event, or did the event sponsors just do this? Why not Mayor Daley? Cant believe this is within guidelines...heck USMS has rules for everything else.

RE: Big Shoulders Question

Killer — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:41:40 GMT

Hey Kirk, I am interviewing for a Washington State job this week.. Are there any nice pools around the North central park of the state near Pateros or Brewster?

RE: Big Shoulders Question

ViveBene — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:18:21 GMT

Pride in native son, most likely. Unfortunately, it did have the effect of politicizing the event, in a weird way. :rolleyes: Conversation here: forums.usms.org/showthread.php

RE: Big Shoulders Question

Former Member — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 06:52:09 GMT

T-shirt and medal design aside, it was another great event. This was my third year here and my first time trying the 5K. The water was chilly when I got in for a quick warm-up but it was comfortable by race time and with three miles to get used to it, I hardly noticed it when I was done. All in all I was pleased with my swim but there were a lot of fast folks there today. I can hardly imagine the crowd that will show up next year. Hats off to the organizers and all the supporting organizations. :applaud:

RE: Big Shoulders Question

Former Member — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:59:26 GMT

The water was on the cool side, but it was comfortable to me (about 70). Calmness is what I'm looking for and it was quite calm. So, a beautiful day to swim as VB stated.

RE: Big Shoulders Question

Former Member — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:10:55 GMT

Am I the only person completely disgusted with the image of Obama on the Tshirt and medal?

RE: Big Shoulders Question

ViveBene — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:38:39 GMT

Am I the only person completely disgusted with the image of Obama on the Tshirt and medal? No. I think it is inappropriate. It may be in conflict with USMS guidelines as politicizing the event, even if Obama is the U.S. Senator from Illinois and Chicago.

RE: Big Shoulders Question

ViveBene — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:07:02 GMT

The all-butterfly guy did it again! :applaud:

RE: Big Shoulders Question

Former Member — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:37:33 GMT

I have decided to chance the swim. Will be there tomorrow, leaving home at 4:30am so I can be there on time. Hope I dont freeze! I am forced to practice in a pool kept at 85 degrees, so I figure my tolerance will be very low for cold temps. Only doing the 2.5 k race, so wont have to suffer very long...also, I wont be running over anyone, I just try to stay out of everyones way.:drown:

RE: Big Shoulders Question

Former Member — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:01:28 GMT

? Said 67 at 5:45 p.m. :badday: New thingy! :eeew: Another! Nice new smileys--didn't see them earlier today--could have used the "Ewwww" one!

RE: Big Shoulders Question

ViveBene — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:43:57 GMT

I'm flying in today. See you all tomorrow bright and early! You are bringing the sunshine! Hoosier, it should be fine. Glad you are coming up. VB

RE: Big Shoulders Question

knelson — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:18:09 GMT

I'm flying in today. See you all tomorrow bright and early!

RE: Big Shoulders Question

Former Member — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:26:23 GMT

Good luck to all! I hope to join you next year for the 5k!

RE: Big Shoulders Question

ViveBene — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:02:46 GMT

Hi Ellen! Did you go in the lake today? Trip report: Lake seemed definitely warmer than 67. Water is calming down. Ppl were floating like seals. Dark layer of clouds lifted and little pink puffy ones replaced them, against a blue sky. Vermeer colors. Then I hopped on a train and went to Ohio Street Beach. The sand has been nicely groomed. Water is not smooth as glass, but looked quite fine for swimming, not too much challenge. Famous last words! We'll see what tomorrow brings. :bliss: :bed::bed:

RE: Big Shoulders Question

Former Member — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:00:45 GMT