800 IM - More Than Just Fantasy [Swim Diesel]
My coach often will say something along the lines of "those who can swim the 400IM (well) really get a badge of honor". This has stuck with me from the 1st time that I heard him say it. For me the challenge was the butterfly leg because I had never learned it growing up. But I sorted it out. I'm not sure I swim any stroke particularly "well" but I get a hall pass. The coach just smiles as probably many Masters Swimming coaches do. We're on a slow improvement curve.
Legend has it that a couple short years ago I had a (friendly) rivalry with a wonderful individual from Ottawa. We were at Provincials and he was in 4 of 6 events that I was in. I remembered him from earlier in my swim "career" when we dueled on his home turf in a Long Course meet. I was faster than him in the sprint freestyle events but nothing more. At the aforementioned Provincial meet he beat me in all the events that we competed in, including the 200 fly where he was in the lane beside me and won by a whopping 1 second flat. There was a lot of ribbing and many smiles as we talked about our swims. At some point I was in earshot when I heard him say "800IM - I would totally do that!" This, I thought, would be my redemption. I may not be fast but I suffer better than most.
2017/18..... I swam that pig. I entered the 800 Free and swam it IM. I had a debate with some officials in Quebec who wanted to DQ me but another official had a deeper knowledge of the MSC rulebook and had that DQ overturned. I saw some laughs and heard some ridicule.... but I knew that some in secret wanted to try this event.
2019... For the 1st time ever there will be heats of 800IM swam at a swim meet, the 2019 MSO Provincial Championships. There is even talk of making it an official event within MSO. History will be made and all who are present will bear witness. I may come in buck naked last but I will feel a sense of pride in that I have in some way left a thumbprint on Masters Swimming. I secretly hope that my legendary rival swims beside me... and beats me again.
The 800IM is not for everyone. I recently stated that you have to pace it, not race it. Having said that - it sounds bigger and badder than it is. For me it is all about getting through the fly. If you cook yourself in the fly .... you're in for a miserable 600 meters to follow.
My coach has been around swimming for many years and has seen many, many humorous things. He has an answer for all things swimming and knows how to coach all levels, from novice to world champion. But there is one swimmer that still manages to make him just smile.
Until I touch the wall.....
Michael Kenny
Masters Swimmer
Cambridge Mavericks
Marathon Open Water Swimmer
2015-16 Global Swim Series Champion
Contact Info :
F : https://www.facebook.com/swim.diesel
I : https://www.instagram.com/swim.diesel
T : https://twitter.com/SwimDiesel
E : m.j.kenny@swim-diesel.com
+ : google.com/+Swim-diesel
K : swimdiesel
B : SWMDSL
Legend has it that a couple short years ago I had a (friendly) rivalry with a wonderful individual from Ottawa. We were at Provincials and he was in 4 of 6 events that I was in. I remembered him from earlier in my swim "career" when we dueled on his home turf in a Long Course meet. I was faster than him in the sprint freestyle events but nothing more. At the aforementioned Provincial meet he beat me in all the events that we competed in, including the 200 fly where he was in the lane beside me and won by a whopping 1 second flat. There was a lot of ribbing and many smiles as we talked about our swims. At some point I was in earshot when I heard him say "800IM - I would totally do that!" This, I thought, would be my redemption. I may not be fast but I suffer better than most.
2017/18..... I swam that pig. I entered the 800 Free and swam it IM. I had a debate with some officials in Quebec who wanted to DQ me but another official had a deeper knowledge of the MSC rulebook and had that DQ overturned. I saw some laughs and heard some ridicule.... but I knew that some in secret wanted to try this event.
2019... For the 1st time ever there will be heats of 800IM swam at a swim meet, the 2019 MSO Provincial Championships. There is even talk of making it an official event within MSO. History will be made and all who are present will bear witness. I may come in buck naked last but I will feel a sense of pride in that I have in some way left a thumbprint on Masters Swimming. I secretly hope that my legendary rival swims beside me... and beats me again.
The 800IM is not for everyone. I recently stated that you have to pace it, not race it. Having said that - it sounds bigger and badder than it is. For me it is all about getting through the fly. If you cook yourself in the fly .... you're in for a miserable 600 meters to follow.
My coach has been around swimming for many years and has seen many, many humorous things. He has an answer for all things swimming and knows how to coach all levels, from novice to world champion. But there is one swimmer that still manages to make him just smile.
Until I touch the wall.....
Michael Kenny
Masters Swimmer
Cambridge Mavericks
Marathon Open Water Swimmer
2015-16 Global Swim Series Champion
Contact Info :
F : https://www.facebook.com/swim.diesel
I : https://www.instagram.com/swim.diesel
T : https://twitter.com/SwimDiesel
E : m.j.kenny@swim-diesel.com
+ : google.com/+Swim-diesel
K : swimdiesel
B : SWMDSL