SWIMMING (watch out for sharks...)
Intro
Before I ever became involved with cars I was swimming competitively. It is a sport I can stay involved with forever. I swam in college at Kenyon College and the University of Southern California. I now continue to train almost every day with a U.S. Masters Swim Team in Long Beach, California. California is probably the most competitive state in the country when it comes to swimming. In college I swam sprint events due to injuries and health reasons that held back my training. However, now I opt for a wider range of events in my competitive endeavors. During the summer of 2006 I began competing in open water swims. Swimming in the ocean offered a different experience than what I was used to in the pool, so it kept me interested in the sport. Since then I have given back to the swimming community by becoming an event director for the Naples Island Swims in Long Beach, California and a webmaster for the Waikiki Roughwater Swim in Hawaii. I have also been competing in a few Masters swim meets in the pool. I have achieved a number of USMS National Top 10 rankings within my age groups through the years.
Below I have put up some pictures that are mementos from my days swimming at USC. While my physical health throughout college never let me achieve all I had hoped, I still got to experience many great things from the sidelines.
Training Regimen
I make the time to train almost everyday. However, I do my best to avoid burning out by not letting my routine take over my day. There are many days where I am less than thrilled to start a workout, but once I get going the instincts take over and I feel better in the end. I maintain a plan for everyday of the week, but that does not mean I utilize every workout session I plan. I constantly listen to how my body feels and I know when to step back and spend the time relaxing instead. I do not fret much over what I eat. I do not care about fad diets (paleo, Atkins, dairy free, gluten free, etc.). I mearly try and keep my meals to appropirate serving sizes. I also do not like to skip any meals. It works for me and keeps me happy without stress. Your workout and diet should not cause you stress! Mon-Sat I have a regular workout schedule. I hit the pool in the mornings for a 1 hour to 1.5 hour practice. On Wednesdays after swimming I join a crossfit style group workout for moms, so my little one can accompany me. Once a week, in the evenings, I attend an adult gymnastics class. The elite gymnasts that train at the gym are very inspiring. It has been key to helping me increase my active flexibility. On the weekends I see if I can work in a couple long runs along the nearby river trail. While swimming and lifting help by strength and endurance, gymnastics helps my flexibility and running is what keeps me lean.
Swim Results
2012 Ocean Events 06/10 Seal Beach Roughwater 1 Mile Swim 13th Overall, 1st Women 30-34 07/14 Balboa-Newport Pier 2 Pier 2 Mile Swim 41 out of 317 Overall, 8th Women, 2nd Women 30-34 08/25 Corona Del Mar Don Burns 1 Mile Swim 17 out of 264 Overall, 5th Woman, 1st Women 30-34 09/05 Waikiki Roughwater Swim 72 out of 891 Overall, 18th Women, 2nd Women 30-34 Swim Across America Long Beach 5k Swim
2012 Long Course Meters USMS Top 10 Pool Rankings
2011 Ocean Events 08/04 Playa Del Run 16th Overall, 4th Woman 08/27 Corona Del Mar Don Burns 1 Mile Swim 2nd Woman, 1st Women 25-29 09/05 Waikiki Roughwater Swim 83 out of 863 Overall, 20th Women, 1st Women 25-29
2011 Long Course Meters USMS Top 10 Pool Rankings
2010 Ocean Events 07/10 Balboa-Newport Pier 2 Pier 2 Mile Swim 10th Women, 2nd Women 25-29
2010 Short Course Meters USMS Top 10 Pool Rankings
2009 Ocean Events Huntington Beach Pier Swim 07/11 Balboa-Newport Pier 2 Pier 2 Mile Swim 46th out of 307 Overall, 10th out of 88 Women, 2nd Women 25-29 08/29 Corona Del Mar Don Burns 1 Mile Swim 21st out of 275 Overall, 6th out of 98 Women, 1st Women 25-29 Naples Island Swim Redondo Beach Triathlon Los Angeles Triathlon
2009 Long Course Meters USMS Top 10 Pool Rankings
2007 Ocean Events 08/05 Dwight Crum Pier 2 Pier 2 Mile Swim (Hermosa-Manhattan Beaches) 53rd out of 859 Overall, 10th Women, 2nd Women 25-29 07/07 Balboa-Newport Pier 2 Pier 2 Mile Swim 37th out of 286 Overall, 7th out of 92 Women, 2nd Women 25-29 06/10 Redondo Beach Triathlon First Mixed Relay, 1/2 Mile Ocean Swim 09/09 Los Angeles Triathlon First Mixed Relay, 1500 Meter Ocean Swim
2007 Long Course Meters USMS Top 10 Pool Rankings
2006 Ocean Events Dwight Crum Pier-to-Pier 2-mile ocean swim 5th Women 18-25, 47 out of 773 Newport Pier-to-Pier 2-mile ocean swim 2nd Women 18-25, 32 out of 268
2006 Short Course Meters USMS Top 10 Pool Rankings
Noteable Links
USA Swimming US Masters Swimming Swimming World Magazine Swim Swam Waikiki Roughwater Swim Naples Island Swims Beach Fit Moms All Olympia Gymnastics