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Masters Newsletter
February 5, 2007
by Tim Sheeper
In this edition:

Swimmers of the Year

It was a long time coming for these two swimmers.  Both have been on the team since day one.  Both are top level competitors now and have been their entire lives. Both are well liked and revered on the team.  Both have rarely been out of the water for more than a few weeks in the past 12 years with the team.  Combined they have over 100 years of competitive experience.  Combined they have over 50 team records.  Combined the have over 50 national top ten times.  I am speaking of Lisa Sheeper (yes, we are related) and Murray McLachlan.  I am proud to have both of them on the team and recipients of this years coveted award.  Now we will see what kind of summer party these two can organize, since that is a traditional swimmer of the year responsibility.


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January Hour Swim

We did very well.  We came together and swam about 250,000 yards as a team. This is nearly 100,000 more than last year.  I am certain with that total Menlo Masters will be near the top of the heap when everything is calculated and teams from around the country are ranked.
The rankings categories are:
1. Number of swimmers on the team participating.
2. Number of total team yardage.
3. Average yardage per swimmer per team.

The results will be available by the end of February.  Currently we need to complete the documents and send them in so every one who swam is counted in our team total.


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February Can Do

This is a Menlo Masters "thing."  We have been building our swim base in February for decades.  I originally started this base building because I firmly believe that someone can change and improve their swimming and of course their overall fitness with about 5-7 hours of swimming per week. All that swimming translates into about 100,000 yards for the month, hence the birth of the 100,000 yard club and an award if that milestone is achieved.

Over the years this aerobic training has evolved into an "event."  We added the 50,000 yard club and then again we added another component which is swimming for a cause.  For every 2000 yards of swimming we ask the swimmer to donate a can of food.   In past years we have donated up to 3000 cans at the end of the month.  This year is the first year Menlo Masters will be matching the canned food donations from the individual swimmers.  The beneficiary of this food will be the Senior Center in East Menlo Park.

Swim what you can.  Add frequency of swims over sheer volume per session.  Reduce intensity, and enjoy finding the rhythm that will allow you to go forever. 

February, You Can-Do It!


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Burgess Pool Open House

Sunday March 25, 2007.  This will be the day we demonstrate to the community-at-large the richness of programming and professionalism that we strive for here at Menlo Masters and Menlo Swim and Sport. 

The Open House event will consist of more than a dozen demonstrations from each and every program that we offer at Burgess Pool.  Demonstrations will range from swim school to water polo to masters swimming.  Our many business partners (The Runners High, Go Ride, SMI etc.)  along with food and clothing vendors will be on hand to create a festive and energetic event.

The pools will be open for play and laps between the various demonstrations. 

Dozens of Masters have already volunteered to assist in set-up, structure and maintenance of the event.  It is through the assistance of many that we are able to make special events like this happen.

I will keep the team updated on project progress and assistance needed.


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Thank You

Rick Peterson, Judy Strauss and I would like to thank each and every member that contributed to the masters coaches' gift that we received during the swimmer of the year celebration.  I can speak for all of us when I say the generosity of the members was staggering and we thank you and we feel appreciated.


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Pro Shop

We have recently expanded our merchandise at our pro shop to include more brands of goggles, more brands of suits and caps.  The pro shop hours are M-F 11am-7pm and weekends 11am-4pm.

If you happen to be a swimmer who only comes to the pool before those hours of operation, just ask me to open the store between morning practices or after the late morning practice to purchase an item.  Check or cash only sale at those times.


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Carbo Saturday

This Saturday February 10, 2007 will be deemed as "CARBO SATURDAY"   The goal will be to complete between one to three of the early morning workouts.  There will be food (lots of Carbohydrates) available to be used as the fuel to get through more than one workout.

Each workout will have different sets to give the swimmers who are doing more than one workout more diversity in their yardage and to have something new to look forward to every hour.

The team will provide some juice, fruit, bagels and other assorted goodies.  All swimmers are welcome to bring food to increase the bounty and therefore the incentive to stack more yardage onto their totals.


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Upcoming Team Swim Meet Events

I realize some of you will stop reading when you see the words, "swim meet" used together.  But, there is something for everybody on the following list. 

1. Blue and Gold Meet-Saturday March 3.
This is an intra-squad meet that we will host for our own swimmers.  We will have events from 25's up to 500's.  It is more of a celebration that February is over than than an intense swim event.

2. Rinconada Spring Meet-Saturday March 17
http://www.pacificmasters.org/comp/schd.html
Small swim meet down the road from our pool.  Low key, fun event with the infamous 1650 Fly as the last event of the day.

3. Pacific Masters Champs-Fri-Sun April 20-22
http://www.pacificmasters.org/comp/schd.html
The meet is a bit bigger and faster than Rinconada, but just as fun and rewarding.  Takes place in Pleasanton with a chance to swim any event under the sun.  This is where the work of February pays dividends.

4. United States Masters Nationals-Thur-Sun May 17-20
http://www.usms.org/comp/scnats07/meetinfo.php
This is the"Big-Daddy" swim meet of the year.  The biggest meet of the year with some of the fastest swimmers in the nation making the trek to Federal Way Washington.  Menlo Masters will be there.  NOW is the time to catch the "national-virus."  Let's talk it up.


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