The 2017 Thor Wet Run
I suppose by pure definition the term "Wet Run" is incorrect in what I am referring to. But it's my post.
Thor has quickly become one of the top hosting teams for a Masters meet in Ontario.
It was just a short few years ago they were hosting meets in North Thornhill Community Centre Pool which while infinitely better than the ridiculous pool situation in Cambridge .... well I don't miss it.
Today Thornhill hosts their meets in what I would suggest is the second best pool in Ontario.
This is the Markham Pan Am pool which was used for the water polo competitions. It is second only to the Scarborough Pan Am pool which no Masters team in Ontario has dared to use for competition. I think Ian and his team probably felt like they graduated from a hard earned Ford Tempo to a driven once Tesla Model S that a rich uncle was passing down. Thor has done very well at this pool and they seem to have it down to a science. Not only do they host their own Invitational meet here but they will host Provincials for the second year in a row! (When was the last time that happend?) Have there been growing pains? Sure, but that is exactly how you grow.
I decided to take a very casual and relaxed approach to this swim meet. I had missed both the Alderwood meet (plague) and the Burlington meet (Snowmageddon at a basketball tournament 2017) and have really only been putzing around in a yards pool. Because of a silly schedule I also have missed most of our Sunday morning team practices. It is amazing how much not being in front of a coach can mess with you. Nonetheless I was there and happy to be with the gang. I swam the misery tour that was available...slowly...which of course set a bar for me. In a month I will swim many of the same events and with the help of my superhero suit I am sure I will have times that are less horrific. Without a doubt most of the people there were doing the same thing. Swimmers testing themselves, the pool, and the change rooms. Thor testing the systems they have in place, their timers/judges, and their swimmers. I think everyone everyone had a positive experience.
As great as this meet was there were dark clouds that moved across the sun. The first of which being all the nonsense going on with our swim bodies. I will tell you plainly here that if this is not soon resolved many people will walk away from it altogether and everyone will lose. As one gentlemen said when I was speaking with him on the issue "There are other things to do." It is serious and silly all in one.
We also learned at the meet that long time swim coach and friend to many *including Ian* Mr. Stephen Forsey passed away. I did not know him well but he was well know and well liked and will be missed greatly not only by the swimming community but also by his friends and family. It is a great loss indeed. Thor will have to forgive me - I punked this picture of him off the internet as try as I might I could not locate a picture of him on my stash. I am certain I have some on my incapacitated hard drive.
I do not wish to leave you on a sad note. My last post was about when I personally lost someone. This post has mention of another loss. When you are young you do not think of these things but as a Masters swimmer you begin to realize that you are not promised tomorrow. When things like this happen you often take a second look in the mirror. Realizing that you are mortal ..... well....
I remember as a young boy going to the hospital to see an uncle of mine as he fought (and lost) the cancer battle. As he lay there in his bed he pulled me close and gave me a warning. "40 years my brother and I walked around shaking our fists at one another! Don't be like us." I might have the wording wrong as it was 30ish years ago but the message is spot on. If you are sensing a tap on your shoulder right now - go fix it.
I said (again) to several people today - this is all for fun. We still have some fine physical specimens putting on a top level performance. But at the end of the day they only went home with one more ribbon, medal, or patch. Maybe a record.
But at the end of it all it still was just for fun. Those jammers go on one leg at a time whether you are swimming a sub 30 50m free or a 2 minute 50m free. BUT - did you do your best? Did you push yourself to something new? Did you encourage the swimmer at their first Masters meet ever? Did you cheer on your teammate to a new PB? Did you assemble and congregate with like minded people? And maybe - just maybe - did you break bread together after?
To Ian and his gang I want to say thank you and congratulations on another job well done. I will even put in the plug for Provincials. The 2017 Ontario Masters Swimming Championships will be held Friday, March 24th - 26th at this very same pool.
Both ends will be in full action and it will be a fine tuned machine. Whether you decide to compete or want to fill the stands I encourage you all to come. It's good for the event and it is good for our sport. Once again - thank you Ian and your team.
Until I touch the wall.....
Michael Kenny
Masters Swimmer
Cambridge Mavericks
Marathon Open Water Swimmer
2015-16 Global Swim Series Champion
Thor has quickly become one of the top hosting teams for a Masters meet in Ontario.
It was just a short few years ago they were hosting meets in North Thornhill Community Centre Pool which while infinitely better than the ridiculous pool situation in Cambridge .... well I don't miss it.
Today Thornhill hosts their meets in what I would suggest is the second best pool in Ontario.
This is the Markham Pan Am pool which was used for the water polo competitions. It is second only to the Scarborough Pan Am pool which no Masters team in Ontario has dared to use for competition. I think Ian and his team probably felt like they graduated from a hard earned Ford Tempo to a driven once Tesla Model S that a rich uncle was passing down. Thor has done very well at this pool and they seem to have it down to a science. Not only do they host their own Invitational meet here but they will host Provincials for the second year in a row! (When was the last time that happend?) Have there been growing pains? Sure, but that is exactly how you grow.
I decided to take a very casual and relaxed approach to this swim meet. I had missed both the Alderwood meet (plague) and the Burlington meet (Snowmageddon at a basketball tournament 2017) and have really only been putzing around in a yards pool. Because of a silly schedule I also have missed most of our Sunday morning team practices. It is amazing how much not being in front of a coach can mess with you. Nonetheless I was there and happy to be with the gang. I swam the misery tour that was available...slowly...which of course set a bar for me. In a month I will swim many of the same events and with the help of my superhero suit I am sure I will have times that are less horrific. Without a doubt most of the people there were doing the same thing. Swimmers testing themselves, the pool, and the change rooms. Thor testing the systems they have in place, their timers/judges, and their swimmers. I think everyone everyone had a positive experience.
As great as this meet was there were dark clouds that moved across the sun. The first of which being all the nonsense going on with our swim bodies. I will tell you plainly here that if this is not soon resolved many people will walk away from it altogether and everyone will lose. As one gentlemen said when I was speaking with him on the issue "There are other things to do." It is serious and silly all in one.
We also learned at the meet that long time swim coach and friend to many *including Ian* Mr. Stephen Forsey passed away. I did not know him well but he was well know and well liked and will be missed greatly not only by the swimming community but also by his friends and family. It is a great loss indeed. Thor will have to forgive me - I punked this picture of him off the internet as try as I might I could not locate a picture of him on my stash. I am certain I have some on my incapacitated hard drive.
I do not wish to leave you on a sad note. My last post was about when I personally lost someone. This post has mention of another loss. When you are young you do not think of these things but as a Masters swimmer you begin to realize that you are not promised tomorrow. When things like this happen you often take a second look in the mirror. Realizing that you are mortal ..... well....
I remember as a young boy going to the hospital to see an uncle of mine as he fought (and lost) the cancer battle. As he lay there in his bed he pulled me close and gave me a warning. "40 years my brother and I walked around shaking our fists at one another! Don't be like us." I might have the wording wrong as it was 30ish years ago but the message is spot on. If you are sensing a tap on your shoulder right now - go fix it.
I said (again) to several people today - this is all for fun. We still have some fine physical specimens putting on a top level performance. But at the end of the day they only went home with one more ribbon, medal, or patch. Maybe a record.
But at the end of it all it still was just for fun. Those jammers go on one leg at a time whether you are swimming a sub 30 50m free or a 2 minute 50m free. BUT - did you do your best? Did you push yourself to something new? Did you encourage the swimmer at their first Masters meet ever? Did you cheer on your teammate to a new PB? Did you assemble and congregate with like minded people? And maybe - just maybe - did you break bread together after?
To Ian and his gang I want to say thank you and congratulations on another job well done. I will even put in the plug for Provincials. The 2017 Ontario Masters Swimming Championships will be held Friday, March 24th - 26th at this very same pool.
Both ends will be in full action and it will be a fine tuned machine. Whether you decide to compete or want to fill the stands I encourage you all to come. It's good for the event and it is good for our sport. Once again - thank you Ian and your team.
Until I touch the wall.....
Michael Kenny
Masters Swimmer
Cambridge Mavericks
Marathon Open Water Swimmer
2015-16 Global Swim Series Champion