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I was one of 32 Masters swimmers in the United States to receive the 2009 All Star Award! Thank you Masters Swimming!

The "ALL STAR" award is described on the USMS website:

"USMS has been naming All-Stars since 1987 . All-Stars are those who have achieved the most first place finishes in their age group during the year in Top Ten competition. "

I'm unsure if the two are related, but I've taken a break from P90X and I'm swimming really well :)

I know I've been pushing myself more, but I seem to have more motivation than the last few months. I suppose it could have had something to do with cold weather months, but I feel like a new man lately! I've really been tearing it up in practice no matter what pool I'm in. Today I was at EMU and focused on some 50 meter sprints long course. I was swimming 50 meter butterfly in 28 seconds flat and 50 meter backstroke in 29's. Both times are pretty good for me from a push!

Due to a water polo tournament at EMU, I broke my streak of training in Ypsilanti by choosing to swim at a local community pool for Saturday and Sunday. As expected, there were kids and foam noodles as far as the eye can see. At times it felt like a medieval gauntlet.

Since my recent revelation about the benefits of swimming in an actual training facility, I've avoided community pools because I was so certain I got a better workout when I swam at EMU. My main complaints about typical community pools are:

For not being a really muscular guy, this picture took me by surprise!

Look at that ARM! It looks so bumpy! Haha

They're dropping like flies! My 50 Back SCY National Record of 22.78 was broken by "Timothy Liebhold" a 27 year old from Minnesota. His time of 22.71 just barely edged out mine at a meet in January. Looks like he's only done 2 Masters meets but VERY impressive times thus far! He swam a 22.48 in the SCY 50 Fly and a 50.45 in the SCY 100 IM. Congrats to Tim on the National Record!

I'm happy to report I just had a fantastic practice! I once again drove to Ypsilanti to swim at EMU because I believe it makes the most significant difference in my training.

Ignoring the fact that EMU is a world class facility, I think it boils down to water temperature (no pun intended). Community pools are kept warm because people don't get their heartrates up enough to appreciate colder water. Let me assure you, nothing feels better than cold water during a tough set... At times it doesn't feel like it could be cold enough!

During a warmup start at the meet I strained some muscles in my neck. This remains my most consistent injury. I frequently forget to do some brief "head roll" stretches before my races to warm up these muscles.

I really recommend any swimmer add these stretches before racing (or even practicing). I've pulled muscles in my neck and upper back to the point its difficult and painful to move my head at all for a solid week.

The Annual Milford Masters Meet is in the morning. It should be a fairly good turnout from the sounds of it. Lots of relays going for National or World Records in Short Course Meters. I'll probably be competing in the 400 Medley, 800 Freestyle and 400 Freestyle Relays. Since I'll be doing so many relays I'm not sure how many individual event's I'll have the energy for! Should be fun to reunite with the guys from the State meet!

I've noticed an issue I'm having while on this P90X workout program. There have been quite a few days lately that I haven't been able to squeeze a second workout into my day after swimming. The P90X takes a minimum of an hour and 15 mins to complete. That's a long time if you're busy or tired.

The issue I notice is that when I DON'T do P90X is that I do nothing dryland related that day. In years past I would always do something outside of the water each day. Rarely would it be over an hour of exercise but at least I was working my muscles somehow.