BC Masters - Medium Team Champions!

Congratulations to all BC Masters Swimmers that participated in the 2009 SCM Championship at Boston University this past weekend. We WON our division (Medium Team)! Whoo-hoo!! Check out some of the photos from the meet...

BC Masters HATS!

Hey BC Masters,

Want to buy a BC Masters Swimming Hat? $10 each. Maroon or Gold. Take some pride in your team! I'll have the hats at practices over the next few weeks.

Sad without a hat.

Happy with a hat!

3000/6000 Yard Postal Championship

Monday, November 9th: The evening workout (7pm) will be your opportunity to swim an "official" timed 3000 (or timed 6000). Come join us to swim or to take splits. For those of you who are registered with US Masters, you will have the opportunity to submit your time to the 3000/6000 Yard Postal Championship and see where you match up with other masters swimmers on the national level. This is a great event and an awesome challenge!

Further details on the USMS sponsored event can be found at:
https://www.clubassistant.com/club/meet_information.cfm?c=1287&smid=1740

*There will be an alternative practice offered for people that are not interested in doing the distance swim.

See you at the Plex!

Short Course Meters Season

It is late October (although it feels like late December) and we are just getting into the Short Course Meters season! BC Masters has made their way to the scene with Stephanie Doherty competing at the October Swim Fest (hosted by Simmons College) last Saturday. There are a bunch of great meets coming up in the next two months - let's participate!

Saturday 10/24: Concord Mini-meet (7:45am)
CONCORD, MA

Sunday 11/1: 10th Annual George Erswell Swim Meet (11:00am)
BRUNSWICK, ME

Saturday, 11/7: 2nd Annual Patrick E. Stevens Meet (2:30pm)
PORTSMOUTH, NH

Sunday, 11/15: 2nd Annual Greater Portland Meet (10:00am)
PORTLAND, ME

Sunday, 11/22: 10th Annual Turkey Time Meet (8:00am)
EAST LYME, CT

***And most importantly, a huge TEAM event for BC Masters: The Short Course Meters Championships at Boston University*** (Friday, December 11-Sunday, December 13: All Day! - Come for just your races OR for the entire weekend!)
BOSTON, MA

For details on meets and events, please check out: http://www.swimnem.org/. For most of the meets, swimmers are required to be registered with New England Masters. Registration information can be found on that same website... it is well worth the $35.00!

National Top-Ten listings!

After an excellent SCY season this year, it's no surprise that we now have SIX US Masters National Top-Ten swimmers on the BC masters squad. Below is a listing of the swimmers and the respective events in which they are among the fastest 10 individuals in the country for their age group!!

Name, Gender/Age category, Event(s)

Eric Caines, M 25-29 (1650 Freestyle)
Pieter deHart, M 30-34 (1000 Freestyle, 400 IM)
Jenny Harvey, F 30-34 (100 Breaststroke, 200 Breaststroke)
Jimmy Hughes, M 18-24 (100 Freestyle)
Brett Nichols, M 25-29 (1650 Freestyle)
Mindy Williams, F 25-29 (1650 Freestyle)

In addition, the relay top-ten listings were also just posted:

400 Freestyle Relay SCY Men 18+ (2009)
Jimmy Hughes (24)
Eric Caines (29)
Thomas B Reynolds (29)
Pieter A De Hart (30) 3:21.43

400 Medley Relay SCY Men 25+ (2009)
Brett M Nichols (25)
Thomas B Reynolds (29)
Eric Caines (29)
Pieter A De Hart (30) 3:48.32

400 Medley Relay SCY Mixed 18+ (2009)
Kara K Buchanan (25)
Michael J Jackson (41)
Melinda B Williams (27)
Jimmy Hughes (24) 4:10.49

400 Freestyle Relay SCY Mixed 25+ (2009)
Leonardo J Torres (38)
Mary E Pohlman (51)
Kristina C Orsini-Platzer (25)
Michael J Jackson (41) 4:17.79


GO BC MASTERS!!

Next Open Water swimming clinic!

Water, water, everywhere! While most of us have been keeping up with the warming temperatures by hitting the ponds, pools, and beaches around town, one can never have too much practice in the open water environment- Which brings us to the next Open Water clinic led by Jenny.

When? Monday, July 20th, from 6-7:30pm. Please be on time!
Where? Revere Beach. We'll meet between the 2 beach-side pavilions nearest to Chester Ave. (directions below)

Note: Please RSVP to Jenny beforehand so she can have a semi-accurate head count.

Hope to see you there!


EASY ACCESS By MBTA:

Take the Blue Line outbound to the last stop, Wonderland.

The Wonderland stop is between Chester Ave and Shawmut St, 1 block from the beach.

We will meet between the two beach-side pavilions that are nearest to Chester Ave.



Driving Directions From Boston and Points South

Get onto I-90 E

Take the MA-145 exit toward Chelsea/Bennington St (0.1 mi)

Merge onto Vienna St (361 ft)

Slight right at Bennington St/MA-145 to continue to follow Bennington St (2.1 mi)

Continue on State Rd (0.3 mi)

Slight right at MA-145/State Rd (400 ft)

At Eliot Circle, take the 2nd exit onto Revere Beach Blvd (0.8 mi)

Metered parking available along the street.

We will meet between the two beach-side pavilions that are nearest to Chester Ave.



Driving Directions From Cambridge and Points West

Get onto US-1 N and head toward the Tobin Bridge

Exit onto MA-16/Revere Beach Pkwy toward Lynn/MA-1A and continue to follow MA-16 (1.8 mi)

Turn right at Beach St (0.4 mi)

Turn left at Ocean Ave (0.1 mi)

Turn right toward Revere Beach Blvd (180 ft)

Turn left at Revere Beach Blvd (0.2 mi)

Metered parking available along the street.


Map: http://maps.google.com/maps/mm?q=&ie=UTF8&hl=en&ll=42.412843,-70.991035&spn=0.025379,0.031457&t=h&z=15&msa=0&msid=106301226799566485954.00046190b82b6a9c4cf48&saddr=cambridge,+ma&daddr=Revere+Beach+%4042.4131124008893,-70.98946809768677&geocode=%3BFTgshwIdZMnE-w

Insightful Article about CRAMPING

Hi Team,

Most of us have probably experienced muscle cramping during a masters workout at one point or another. This phenomenon stumps me, but recently I found a pretty good article that highlights some of the potential reasons - aside from general dehydration, lack of potassium, etc. Take a look:

CRAMPING YOUR STYLE: "Dealing With Cramps In The Pool" by Haydn Wooley

Here's the link:

http://www.swim-city.com/library.php3?id=119

Nantasket Beach Day!

What a great day we had out on the water this past Saturday morning! Thanks again to Jenny for providing an enlightening and fun clinic! What...a...beautiful...Day...

Check out this video:

Photos from Nantasket!

Fantastic Nantasket!

Reminder: the TeamEnVision/BCMasters open water swim at "Fantastic Nantasket" is this Saturday, June 27th, from 9am - 11am. This is a great location for your first ocean swim, a tune up, or a good workout. The water is clean and calm, the bottom sandy as far as you can walk. There are buoys parallel to shore and a lifeguard crew - plus, there will be personalized KAYAK SUPPORT provided by Pieter!

If you pan on attending, please RSVP to Jenny prior to Saturday.

If you need a ride or can offer a ride, please also let her know. Directions below - only ~45 min away.

Everyone is welcome: friends, other triathletes or swimmers, significant others - participants must be able to swim unassisted.

What to Bring:
- swim suit
- brightly colored cap
- goggles
- wetsuit highly recommended
- other: towel, sunscreen, eye drops, ear drops, body glide, snacks

Directions to Nantasket Beach Reservation, MA
1. Take I-93 S toward Quincy
2. Take exit 12 toward MA-3A/Quincy (0.2 mi)
3. Merge onto Gallivan Blvd/MA-203 (0.1 mi)
4. Turn right at Neponset Ave to continue on MA-3A (2.4 mi)
5. Turn left at Merrymount Pkwy to continue on MA-3A (1.9 mi)
6. Turn left at Washington St to continue on MA-3A (0.5 mi)
7. At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit to stay on MA-3A/Washington St
8. Continue to follow MA-3A (5.0 mi)
9. At the next traffic circle, take the 3rd exit onto Summer St (0.5 mi)
10. Continue on Rockland St (0.1 mi)
11. Continue on George Washington Blvd (1.7 mi)
12. Slight right at Hull Shore Dr, then stay to the right to stay on Hull Shore Dr/Franklin St
13. Find parking along the streets or pay a small fee ($3) to park in the lots on the left side of the street.
14. Just as Beach Ave takes off to the right, and before the T at Phipps Rd, there is a brick state park / restroom building on the right (beach side). We meet at that building, near the outdoor showers.

Wonderful Weekly Wednesday open Water swim...

I just wanted to make it official: we will now be meeting every Wednesday morning at Farm Pond for some open water swimming throughout the summer. We start swimming promptly at 6:30am, so be sure to come a little early to gear up if you want to join us! Hope to see you there!

(see below/previous posts for more details...)

Farm Pond

Just in case you're wondering (like me) what the folks are experiencing out at Farm Pond during the wee hours of the morning... take a look at John's photos below. This almost makes me want to set my alarm next time!

More Open Water Swimming

Hi BC Masters!

More Open Water opportunities to share with all of you. Tomorrow, Wednesday 6/17, we will again head over to Farm Pond in Sherborne for a morning swim. We will meet on the beachfront to be in the water at 6:30 AM sharp. If you are perpetually late (like me) then aim to arrive at about 6:15 and you should be all set. It looks like tomorrow will be a beautiful morning -- Hope you can join us!

Directions (courtesy of Coach Pieter's post from last week): maps.google.com- Search for: Farm Pond, Middlesex, Massachusetts 01770

Also, if anyone is interested in RACING in open water, there are a number of upcoming Open Water opportunities. Pieter, Jenny and I will be competing in the Madison Mile in Madison, CT this Saturday, 6/20 at 9:00 AM. If you are interested in making the 2 hour + trek, information about the race is posted here: http://www.vsymca.org/Aquatics/MadisonMile2009/tabid/1073/Default.aspx
Please note, if you are interested, registration closes tomorrow, Wednesday 6/17 at 2:00 PM. Online registration is available here:
http://www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1721231&assetId=A3E4F035-CA49-4B28-A213-49E145F5BEE1#Map
There will be no race-day registration. This race served as the USMS Open Water Championship race in 2008 and continues to serve as the Connecticut State Championship race.

Also, there are two races closer to home listed on the NEM website for the 20th and one on the morning of the 21st in Wayland. http://www.swimnem.org/wordpress/open-water-swimming/
I believe that the Charles River race field has closed, but I know that Kiko, a good friend of BC Masters competed in that event last year, which normally receives press coverage.

If you have any questions about open water swimming please feel to talk with Pieter, Mindy, Tom or myself.

Hope to see everyone at the pool or on the open water!

Eric

Open Water Swim!

Hi Folks,
Come join us for our second week in a row of Wednesday morning open water swimming! Farm Pond, 6:30am (sharp).
Map/Directions:
maps.google.com- Search for: Farm Pond, Middlesex, Massachusetts 01770

Hope to see you there!

Water Polo

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Last Day of the Spring Masters Term.

Join us for a vicious game of Water Polo

Regular Practice time 7:00-8:15pm at the Plex

(Tom will provide a swim workout to those that aren't interested in playing Polo).

More Triathlon Photos...

BC Masters Triathlon Results!

Congratulations to all those folks who participated in the 3rd Annual BC Masters "Swim-Friendly" Triathlon this past Saturday! With 14 participants completing the entire 1000-yard swim, 3.3-mile bike, and 3.3-mile run course, it was definitely a blast! Thanks again to our timers, without whose help this wouldn't have been possible! Full results in excel format will be sent to the listserve via email...

Brunch Banquet at Pieter & Jenny's

Raffle prizes will be put to good use.
Looking good, Gentlemen!

Photos from the Triathlon

Congratulations to all that completed the 3rd annual BC Masters "Swim-Friendly" Triathlon! Also known as the "Swim, and be friendly" triathlon. Great turnout and great races. Enjoy the photos!

Team BANQUET - May 9th

Hey Team,

As you all know, Saturday May 9th is the 3rd Annual BC Masters "Swim-Friendly" Triathlon (9:15 at the Plex). But here are some more details... immediately AFTER the Triathlon, you are invited to our TEAM BANQUET! Please join us at Pieter & Jenny's place (88 Washington St, Brighton) for a potluck brunch, some joke-awards, a prize raffle and more. As always, family and friends are welcome.

Come and celebrate a wildly successful year with BC Masters!

Brighton Beer Garden- This Thursday, April 22

Hi Folks- Come join us to watch the Celtics take on the Chicago Bulls in the playoffs! This Thursday, April 22nd, Post-practice, or ~8:30pm at Brighton Beer Garden, off Market Street in Brighton Center. Hope to see you there!

-Go Celtics!

BC Masters 3rd Annual "Swim-Friendly" Triathlon!

Hello BC Masters Swimmers!
I can barely believe that this will be the third year doing this…it feels like only yesterday that Mindy and I agreed on this fun hair-brained scheme…
I just wanted to send out a few details about the upcoming event we’re hosting!

WHAT: 3rd Annual BC Masters “Swim-Friendly” Triathlon!!
DISTANCES: 1000 yard Swim, 3.36 mile Bike, 3.36 mile Run

WHEN: Saturday, May 9th. Setup will take place immediately outside the pool deck (Pool Patio) between 8:45-9:05am. Inside facility opens just after 9am for warmups. Swim portion of Race begins promptly at 9:15am. Don’t be late!!

WHERE: The course will consist of swimming at the Plex pool, followed by transitioning immediately outside the pool deck on the Plex Patio. The Bike and Run courses are identical. Course goes as follows: Head East on Campanella Way to end at St. Thomas More Rd. Head South to end, and take a right (west) on Beacon. Head straight up beacon to the end of the BC campus at College Road, where you’ll take a right. Follow College Road to the end at Commonwealth Ave. and take a right. Follow Commonwealth Ave past the cemetery to Chestnut Hill Drive on your right (not all the way to Chestnut Hill Ave!!). Meander through this road (it curves and has a few rumble strips) to St. Thomas More Road. Take a right and follow to major BC entrance at More Drive. Follow More Drive around to transition station. (*Note: Maps will be provided)
Take a look at the ‘Map My Run’ route map below…

HELP: Even if you can’t do the race, we will need assistance with Timing and transitions! Help will be needed!

HOW MUCH: Totally Free! Just bring a few bucks to head out for celebratory coffee/breakfast afterwards!!

WHY: Aside from the awesome workout, there’s the social aspect, too! It’s going to be a blast!!

WHAT TO BRING: Don’t forget the following important items- Bike, Helmet, and biking shoes; towels (2 suggested); swim suit, cap, & goggles; Running shoes & socks; Shorts, t-shirt, (& jacket if needed); watch/timing device; water bottle; Also a little $$ to share in the celebratory food & drink after!

QUESTIONS? Please feel free to send me an email or ask me on deck when you come to the pool!

We hope to see you there!!

Happy Swimming,
Coach Pieter

BC Masters Triathlon Route

Ultimate Frisbee location(s)

Hi Folks,
The best way that I could find to denote the location(s) of ultimate frisbee was to use mapmyrun.com. Check out the site I mapped out (Ignore the walking route...). We should have space at Rogers Park.

Map: http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/us/ma/brighton/320123903594935314

-Hope to see you there! Thursday, April 9, 6:15pm.

Some more great photos of the Harvard meet!