Water Polo (sort of) Saturday, December 26, 2009

A scant few hours before we were to meet at Meehan's, (see blog post dated December 27th below), a very few intrepid swimmers ventured into the pool to uphold the Huntington Masters Swim Team Annual December Water Polo Match. Since so few swimmers actually showed up, it became more of a "shoot-around" and a photo-op for Harry who dragged out the big camera for some striking Test Shots below -- not the water polo shots. Scroll down, I guarantee that you'll be able to tell the "artistic" water shots from the more standard water-polo fare. Thanks Harry. We look forward to posting more of your aquatic-themed pictures in 2010!

In case you haven't figured it out... you are now in the middle of the "artistic" shots.

Can you imagine a Team Shot looking like this? Wow... that would be pretty neat! Harry, the ball, (or in this case the camera), is in your court.

Get Together at Meehans: Saturday, December 26, 2009

Thanks to Carol, (and, of course, Bob -- what would we do without his emails?), a few of us got together at Meehan's Bar in a VERY RAINY and wind-swept Huntington at 6pm on the Saturday after Christmas.

Besides the beer and general post-Christmas merriment, there was serious business afoot as Carol gave awards to both "Coach" Bob and "Web-Meister" Mike. (See the Video of this event below).

I'd be happy to go on and on about how well-deserved these awards were but... conflict of interest rules will fortunately apply!

Could Sal be bringing along one of the youngest (future?) age group swimmers in Huntington just to show her how much fun swimming in Huntington can be?

Scott just threw his hands up in the air when he got a closer like at the awards...

Thats right, Genuine Faux Walnut... there's nothing quite like it!

2009 Oyster Bay Ho! Ho! Ho! Holiday 5K Run was won by Austin Huminski (Rich's son!)

Is the torch being passed? Well, from this picture, I'd say not only is it being passed, it is going a lot faster than it did in years past! Congratulations to the whole Huminski Family!

Is this who I think it is?

Santa is really busy today -- getting ready for a big day tomorrow, (Christmas Eve). He'll most likely rest on the 25th BUT rumor has it that he may just join the Huntington Masters for a Post-Christmas workout on Saturday, December 26th! Don't let the media in on this once-in-a-lifetime event... Santa enjoys his "me time" as much as anyone! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

The Swimming Instructor: A Swimming Lesson From Saturday Night Live (NOT to be confused with Swim Lessons from Coach Bob!)

This clip is from Hulu and there will be a brief (30 second) commercial that will play before the clip actually starts. Enjoy... but don't learn anything!

Huntington Masters Swim Team Holiday Brunch: December 6, 2009

The outdoor temps were in the 30's but the sun was shinning bright and clear as we all headed into Nocello's Restaurant for our 25th (or is it 26th?) Annual Huntington Master's Swim Team Christmas Brunch. Bob and I know for sure that this annual tradition started some time in the 1980's but the exact year escapes both our memories! If anyone out there remembers... please let us know -- you could probably even make up a date! Please excuse the lack of pictures. I was sitting next to Tom and since he has been absent from the Y for EONS it seems like, we had a lot to catch up on. Not that men ever gossip!

In the middle of one of our many important discussions that kept me glued to my seat, (except for a trip or two to the brunch line), Carol got up and made a couple of very nice award presentations to Bob and I. One slight hitch, the actual awards are still in production! So Bob received a very nice fork and I was entranced with my faux plate award -- see pictures below. Note Carol promises another presentation after Christmas when the REAL Awards actually arrive. (And, I promise to take more pictures!)




For those of you who missed seeing Tom at today's brunch, here's a graphic representation above of his un-wanted encounter with a faulty ladder. The result, some 6 plus weeks later is Tom's walker being hidden away during the brunch -- see photo below.

Drinking Tart Cherry Juice Following Strenuous Exercise May Be Beneficial

In a placebo-controlled study involving 20 recreational marathon runners, results indicate that consumption of tart cherry juice may enable recovery following a marathon run. The subjects were assigned to consume cherry juice or placebo for 5 days before, the day of and for 48 hours following a marathon run. Isometric strength recovery was significantly faster in the cherry juice group, compared with the placebo group. Additionally, inflammation and TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive species) were reduced and total antioxidant status increased in the cherry juice group. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, “The cherry juice appears to provide a viable means to aid recovery following strenuous exercise by increasing total antioxidative capacity, reducing inflammation, lipid peroxidation and so aiding in the recovery of muscle function.”

Reference: “Influence of tart cherry juice on indices of recovery following marathon running,” Howatson G, Howatson SA, et al, Scand J Med Sci Sports, 2009 Oct 21; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: School of Psychology and Sport Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK).

Warm Pool Water Question Discussed in SWIMMER, the official magazine of U. S. Masters Swimming

The new issue, (November/December 2009, page 15), of SWIMMER, the official magazine of U.S. Masters Swimming, answers a readers question about pool water temperature. His "home" pool keeps the water temperature between 78 and 80 degrees but when he travels, he sometimes swims in pools where the temperatures range anywhere from 84 to 88 degrees. He has a difficult time working out in water that warm and wonders if, "there is something wrong with me?"

The question is answered in depth by U.S. Masters Swimming's Sports Medicine and Science Committe. If you don't have this issue of SWIMMER, you can read their COMPLETE answer on the 2nd page of this linked PDF file -- CLICK HERE to read it. If you can't read the PDF file, just find a fellow swimmer who still has his/her copy of SWIMMER!

Images From West Neck Beach: November 7, 2009

It was high tide and sunny when I got to West Neck Beach around 2:15pm this Saturday. No swimmers in the water but there were a surprising number of cars in the parking lot. More people seemed to be staying their cars enjoying the views of Cold Spring Harbor than those who ventured out for a stroll on the beach. Maybe I just got there at the wrong time!

There were a few sailboats out and about and , I suppose, if you were properly dressed it really was a great day for sailing -- maybe not swimming, but sailing would be OK. When do most boat owners pull their boats out of the water? I guess it depends... some of our local sailors could certainly comment on this subject.

As you can tell from how the sun was hitting the water, I'm still not really used to Standard Time -- 2:15pm and the sun was already well to the west! Standard Time? I'm still stuck wishing it was summer!

If you look close in the shot above, you can see one of Yellow Buoys -- this one almost looks like it's halfway to Connecticut -- it isn't!

With a little help from Photoshop, I managed to squeeze out some Fall Colors in the picture below.

Harry Slutter (Swimmer, Biker, Runner), is also a WINNING Photographer

Please join Harry on Saturday November 28th 2009 for the 5th National photography Exhibition at Foto Foto Gallery in Huntington, NY. The Opening Reception, (to which YOU are invited!), is Saturday, 11/28/2009 from 5 to 7pm.

Click HERE to take a look at some of the photos in this remarkable exhibition.

The Water-Log: Pulling the Plug on November 1, 2009

It doesn't look really inviting does it? The Beach, (low tide and FULL of rocks); the Water, (kind of gray and cold); the Sky, (well, we certainly have swum under worse looking skies!). In any event, conditions were far from ideal so Carol decided to "Pull-the-Plug" on Open Water Swimming at West Neck Beach for 2009. Below is her story, (pictures are her's as well!):

Well, it looks like the open-water swimmers have said "No" to November....Even I couldn't bring myself to take the plunge on this cold, damp, dreary and miserable November 1st. I'm thinking the 2009 open-water swimming season may truly be over, and I'll have to wait until next year to test out my new insulated booties and gloves!

It does seem like the end came unusually quickly this year, though -- my last OWS last year was November 7th, and I believe our favorite Canadian Rob Martell was still cavorting in the salt in December! Who knew we'd miss our ozone layer so much?

I did get myself to West Neck Beach this afternoon, though, for one last look and a few farewell picures of a vista that I expect I won't be seeing again for a few more months (very few, I hope!). Until then, it's back to the pool for me, and for my open-water brethren (and sisthren). That means I'll be pulling the plug on "The Water-Log" (unless, of course, we get a sudden blast of Florida weather!), but that doesn't mean you won't be hearing from me...Stay tuned for "The Chlorine Chronicles," or maybe, "The Perils of Chlorine"!! -- Carol

EDITORS NOTE: Wouldn't you know that as soon as Carol decided to leave West Neck Beach till 2010, the clouds should part and blue skies reign... it was as if the very beach itself was inviting us back to swim again! And, you know what -- We''ll be back!

"Halloween Swim Deemed 'Too Scary'!"

Editors Note: The following story and photos are from Carol Moore -- intrepid reporter for the Huntington Masters Swim Team and author of the oft-imitated but never duplicated emailed "water-log" messages. Thanks Carol!

Well, the headline for this morning's aborted open-water swim should read, "Halloween Swim Deemed 'Too Scary'!" As you know, I'm not particularly spooked by a little wave-action, but there was a wicked squall bearing down on West Neck Beach this morning, with a southeasterly wind howling across the water and roiling up white-caps as it met the incoming tide.

The sky was dark and brooding over the water, and then the rain began, even as the sun was burning through the clouds further west.

It was altogether a weird and spooky scene! I may be getting senile, as Nancy says, but I'm not CRAZY, so I finally gave up the ghost and headed for the Y, joined by Tim, who agreed with me that this Halloween swim promised too much "trick" and too little "treat"! As for tomorrow, the weather forecast is looking a little better, so it may be worth a try. If you have insulated booties and/or gloves (I just bought mine this week), you might want to bring them....That water felt COLD this morning! Happy Halloween, everyone! -- Carol

Does running a marathon push the body further than it is meant to go?

With the New York City Marathon only days away, the New York Times published an interesting article today written by TARA PARKER-POPE and entitled The Human Body Is Built for Distance.

If you're a runner, (I know, I know -- this is a SWIMMER's blog... BUT, we have a LOT of swimmers who are also runners and vice versa!), and, if you're a runner whose ever been injured running, (that's ALL of you!), then...

CLICK HERE to read "The Human Body Is Built for Distance".

Bob Miller Takes 1st Place in 2K Bermuda Swim

Here are the swimmers coming into the homestretch during the 2009 Round the Sound Swim in Bermuda -- if you can't spot Bob in this picture, (above), then check out the photo right below as Bob accepts his FIRST Place Trophy! And, oh yeah, the dapper guy in the white shirt standing next to Bob and admiring his FIRST Place Trophy... well, he just happens to be the Governor of Bermuda. So not only is Bob winning some pretty impressive races, but he's also hanging around with some pretty powerful people. Is President Obama next? We know he likes to swim!

While we anxiously await a "first-person" report from Bob, we are happy to be able to report that he came in 1st Place in the 2K Bermuda "Round the Sound Swim" for swimmers 60 and over, on Sunday, October 18, 2009.

Bob's time for the 2K was 39:10 which actually beat 10 of the 13 male swimmers in the Masters Male 40 to 59 age group and would have given him a 2nd Place finish in the Open Male 20 to 39 group. Quite a win for Bob -- no wonder he's smiling!

SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, December 6, 2009

I know, I know! It seems like we were just swimming outdoors mere days ago at West Neck Beach... and some of us were... and some may still get in a few more Open Water Swims before these 40 degree nights set in for good. But no matter how you count it, Sunday, December 6, 2009 is NOT that far away. And, that Sunday starting at 11:30AM we will have our ANNUAL "Y" Swimmers Brunch.

This years Brunch will be a gala affair at Nocello's Restaurant in Northport on 25A and Waterside. Cost will be no more than $30 per person, (probably no less but certainly no more than $30), and will include Nocello's FULL Sunday Brunch Buffet PLUS a Champagne toast and softdrinks, tea, coffee etc.

As usual, the Brunch is open to Huntington area Swimmers, Runners, Bikers and their fans (ie. spouses and significant others!).

Thanks to Tom Haack for setting up the 2009 Brunch -- and laying out the cash to hold our place! In the next few weeks, we'll set up a sign-up sheet at the "Y" -- all you have to do right now is -- SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, December 6, 2009 (11:30AM Nocello's Restaurant).

Bob's "Surprise" Birthday Party

Does he look surprised? I'm not sure as rumor has it that Bob got wind of his "Surprise" Birthday Party at the Black Forest Brew Haus in Farmingdale on Sunday, October 11, 2009. But, "Surprise" or not, he does look happy!


Unlike his usual taciturn demeanor, Bob was happily chatting-up all his friends. (equating Bob and "taciturn demeanor" is a good example of irony!).

"Oh wow, I even get a Birthday Cake..."

"Are they going to want me to blow out all these candles?"

"Here's where we see if all that Hypoxic Training really helps..."

After the cake and all the good Birthday wishes, we asked Bob if he would mind posing with the group. He said "sure, no problem" but either the message got garbled in translation or the fact that it was Bob's 60th Birthday celebration got to him for lo and behold, Bob took his 60th Birthday Group photo with the Red Hat Society. Doesn't that just beat all?