2013 Lake Erie Open Water Classic - 4 More Days to Sign Up

This year's t-shirt looks like this. But you've got to swim or volunteer to get one.  Registration deadline in midnight Tuesday. Go to www.ohiomasters.com to enter.

24th Annual Lake Erie Open Water Classic - July 27, 2013

Yes, it's that time of year again. The Indians are playing. 

Tax season is almost over. The ice is off Lake Erie. Planning 

for the 24th Annual Lake Erie Open Water Classic is on schedule. 

Put it on your calendar. 
 
Event: 24th Annual Lake Erie Open Water Classic 

Date: Saturday July 27, 2013
Place: Edgewater State Park, Cleveland, Ohio
Distances: 1/2-mile, 1-mile and 2-miles.
There will be a wetsuit division with wetsuit division awards.
 
Online Entry Link and information for USMS members:
https://www.clubassistant.com/club/meet_information.cfm?c=1236&smid=4674
 
Online Entry Link and information for non-USMS members:
https://www.clubassistant.com/club/mr.cfm?c=1236&smid=4673&ngb=oevt
 
This event is a fundraiser for the St Malachi Center Summer 

Kid's Swim Program. We like the idea of big swimmers helping 

little swimmers.
 
Competitive Aquatic Supply, North Canton, Ohio is a sponsor for 

our event.
 
Questions may be directed to Tom Spence at talltom13@msn.com or 

440-777-0849.
 
In 2014, the International Gay Games will be in Cleveland. As 

the only person in Cleveland with any open water event management 

experience, I have been asked to run the open water event for 

the Gay Games. I told the Gay Games organizers I would be pleased 

to do that.  So next year, the 25th Annual Lake Erie Open Water 

Classic and the Gay Games open water event will be combined into 

a single event. Stay tuned....
 
This year, I hope you will join us on Saturday July 27th at 

Edgewater State Park.
 
See you in the water,
 
Tom Spence
 
O*H*I*O Masters Swim Club
http://www.ohiomasters.com/
 

Pilates and Swimming

After 20 years of swimming, you'd think I'd be really, really strong.  I'm sure my cardiovascular system is in good shape.  I'd guess my upper back and upper front are in good shape. But my core is weak. For me, this is a conundrum.  After all this swimming, my lower back and core are weak. For me, this explains why kicking is so difficult for me. There is no strength connecting my arms and legs.

My chiropractor, who helps me control L4, suggested I try Pilates.  He said it is a good exercise for core strength and overall stretching. Just what I need. So I followed through and joined a Pilates class. I feel as though I've discovered the mother-lode. What a great workout. It is exactly a great workout for stretching and developing core strength.Now I'm doing dry-land workouts.

Picture, if you will, nine women and me in the class. It is clear the women have been there before. It's all new to me. They blast right through the workout while I try to get L4 off the mat. They don't sweat. I do. But who cares. It's as much my workout as theirs.  My legs are getting more involved in my swimming as my core strengthens. It's all good.

Getting Reagy for 2013

We are planning our swim schedule for 2013.  Diane and I will swim in the Senior Games which will be in Cleveland, Ohio in July.  We plan to swim in the 2-Mile Cable National Championship in August. It will be in Lake Placid, New York. We are considering the Short Course National in Indianapolis, Indiana in May and the Pan-Ams in Sarasota, Florida in June. This will come into focus as the weather warms.