Follow-Up Y Fire Coverage from Carol

Ahhh... it is good to have back-up coverage! Thanks to a late-arriving, (but QUICK-THINKING) Carol, we have a few more cell-phone pictures PLUS Comments and a view of the "Fire in the Y" from a different, (and one would expect WARMER), vantage point!

Hi, Mike. Great coverage of the YMCA's most exciting day ever! Carole and I were just getting there this morning when we heard the alarm going off and saw people coming out. I snapped a couple of quick pictures with my cell phone camera (there's one of Harry Slutter's retreating back as he heads half-naked towards his car).

We got out of there in a hurry so as not to get in the way of the fire engines, which hadn't arrived yet, but I wish I'd been able to haul a few of you swimmers with us -- you guys were probably still getting out of the pool when we were leaving. Glad everybody's safe -- hopefully I'll see you all tomorrow! -- Carol

Fire In The Y!

Saturday, January 30, 2010, Huntington, New York: It was supposed to be just another Saturday Morning Workout at the Huntington YMCA... but it wasn't, even though it started out as normal as apple pie. Though, come to think of it, I do remember glancing down at the thermometer in my car while driving to the Y and seeing a very low outside temperature -- eleven degrees! Probably the lowest of the year. "Boy", I thought, "I'm glad I'm going to be swimming in a nice, warm indoor pool -- I wouldn't want to be outside in my bathing suit in this weather." How wrong I was!

I managed to get in 700 yards and noticed Sal jump into the pool ready to start his warm-up. The second his feet hit the bottom of the pool, the Fire Alarm went off -- lights were flashing, buzzers were buzzing and lifeguards were yelling "get out of the pool, get out of the pool!" -- grumbling, we all complied. We'd been through numerous false alarms in the past and our first though was, "here we go again!" But this fire was for real... smoke, flames, police, firemen, hoses, water... you name it, we had it. We also had Paul, our own personal NYC fireman to help lead us out of harms way. Now, if only the fire had happened in August instead of January!

But, January it was, and the coldest day of the year to boot. Our thanks to all the YMCA staffers they did a GREAT Job throughout the crisis and they quickly opened the HEATED Annex so we could make a short dash in bare feet and wet bodies to warmth. Since the fire started in the Ladies Locker Room, we all had to leave the building just as we came out of the pool -- dripping wet. I hate to think what it would have been like if we had been forced to stand outside in eleven degree weather, dripping wet. Though I suppose "dripping" would have been a short term problem as the water began to freeze!

I'll have to remember to carry a camera with me when swimming because the only pictures that I have are well after all the action was over. After the fire department got the fire out they allowed a few Y staffers back into the main Y building to collect our clothing from the Locker Rooms. With my clothing back on, I was able to snap a few pictures, (below) with my cell phone.

Staffers and other officials are allowed back into the still darkened YMCA.

Police emergency response was timely.

Rich stays warm in a borrowed red sweatshirt as he awaits the delivery of his "real" clothing. But take my word for it, he looks very well-dressed at this point compared to where he was a half hour or so ago!

Paul looks like he's got TWO pair of jeans -- could he have Riche's? No, just kidding, Christine, (white sleeve and half-a-face in the photo -- damn cell phone cameras!), was kind enough to drive down to the Y and bring Paul a second outfit! (At one point, we all thought that we'd be going home in our bathing suits -- better than "Birthday Suits".)

Joy... a crisis does bring people closer together doesn't it? Thanks again to all the Huntington YMCA Staffers who did such an outstanding job in turning something that could have been much worse into just another "were you there when..." story.

Arthur... the last man in the parking lot may just be the first to bring up "were you there when..."

The Water-Log by Carol Moore: Real "Aquaholics" Are Already Starting To Think About Open-Water Swimming

It may still be the middle of Winter, but some of us aquaholics are already starting to think about open-water swimming again, and are just waiting for the water temperature to creep up a couple of degrees...!

One of the earliest open-water events this year (Sunday, July 11, 2010) is the annual Fran Schnarr 5K Memorial Open-Water Swim in Huntington Bay, which this year will also include a 10K event. A lot of the "usual suspects" and a couple of "newbies" will be signing up for the 5K race this year (me, Joanna Grossman, Steve Albright, Chris Vasallo? Margot Edlin?), and our heroes Rob Martell, Anne Marie Bischoffberger and Ken Longo are doubling their bets and going for the 10K!

For anyone out there who’s been thinking about doing it, maybe 2010 is your year! The "West-Neck Pod" will be getting back into the water probably sometime in June, so we’ll be able to get in a few weeks’ open-water training before the swim. If anyone is interested in getting on the e-mail list for "The Water-Log" to get updates on our swimming schedule, contact or e-mail me (Carol Moore) and I’ll add your name to the list.

If you’re not feeling ready for a 5K or 10K open-water swim, maybe you’d be interested in volunteering on July 11th as a kayaker to help guide your fellow swimmers and keep us from swimming off to Connecticut! Kayakers are desperately needed, and your participation would be enormously appreciated! Please contact Bea Hartigan, the race organizer, at the HuntSwim.org web site. Hope to see you either on the water or in it on July 11th! – Carol

C W Post - Winter Blitz Masters Meet - SCY: January 24, 2010

Rob Martell:

50 Free 33.23 5th

50 Breast 32.65 1st

100 Breast 1:12.85 1st

Ken Longo:

50 Free 25.96 1st

200 Back 2:31.66 1st

50 Back 29.82 1st

100 Back 1:10.01 1st

Don’t Get DQ’d By Your Swimsuit! (Changes in United States Masters Swimwear Rules for 2010)

Due to the change in Masters swimwear rules published by FINA January 16, 2010, and pursuant to Article 601.4.8, the USMS Rules Committee and the USMS Executive Committee have approved the following emergency changes to the USMS swimwear rules. These changes are effective immediately for short course meters and long course meters competition. The changes are effective June 1, 2010 for short course yards competition. Note that the new swimwear rules no longer allow modesty/privacy wear underneath the competition suit nor zippers or fasteners of any kind except for a waist tie on a brief or jammer. The new swimwear rules will not govern the One Hour Swim being conducted January 2010. Changes to the swimwear rules are underlined below.

102.14 SWIMWEAR
102.14.1 Design—The swimsuits worn for competition shall be nontransparent and conform to the current concept of the appropriate. The referee shall have authority to bar offenders from competition until they comply with this rule.

102.14.2 Swimwear shall include only a swimsuit, cap and goggles (a nose clip and ear plugs are allowed). Arm bands or leg bands shall not be regarded as parts of the swimsuit and are not allowed.

102.14.3 In swimming competitions, the competitor must wear only one swimsuit in one or two pieces. All swimsuits shall be made from textile materials. Except for open water competitions, for men, the swimsuit shall not extend above the navel nor below the knees, and for women, shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder, nor extend below the knees.

102.14.4 Only swimsuits complying with FINA swimsuit specifications may be worn in any U.S. Masters Swimming sanctioned or recognized competition.

102.14.5 Exemptions to the foregoing restrictions may be granted to a swimmer, on a case by case basis, by the Chair of the Rules Committee or designee. Exemptions will be granted only for conflicts due to the swimmer’s verified religious beliefs or verified medical conditions.
A Procedures for applying for an exemption will be established by the Rules Committee and posted on the U.S. Masters Swimming website.
B No exemption to these restrictions will be granted for a swimsuit that will give the swimmer a
competitive advantage.
C The decision of the Rules Chair may be appealed only to the entire Rules Committee whose decision shall be final and binding on all parties.

102.14.6 Swimmers are not permitted to wear or use any device or substance or swimsuit to help their speed, pace, buoyancy or endurance during a race (such as webbed gloves, flippers, fins, etc.). Goggles may be worn, and rubdown oil applied if not considered excessive by the Referee. Any kind of tape on the body is not permitted unless approved by the Referee.

102.14.7 Advertising—Products involving tobacco, alcohol or pharmaceuticals containing drugs banned under IOC or FINA rules may not be advertised, but the advertiser’s name only may be used. Offenders may be barred from competition until they comply with this rule.

It's Summer in New Zealand and the Water Looks Great!

I have a friend -- we'll call him John -- who lives in Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand where the weather forcast for today is sunny and 75 degrees. I had recently told my "friend" John of the cold-spell we were having in New York -- well, good "friend" that John is, I promptly received these three pictures taken when he "went flying with a friend in his helicopter last week. Couldn’t see any snow. This is all 15 minutes flying time from where we live".

Thanks John, I don't see any snow either but I do see what looks like some great Open Water Swim locations. Anybody up for a trip to New Zealand?

US Open Water Swimming (.org) Lists HUMS as the First (and ONLY) Open Water Swim Group on Long Island!

The "West-Neck Pod" (an offshoot of the Huntington Master's Swimmers ("HUMS") Group based at the Huntington YMCA) swims regularly several mornings a week at West Neck Beach in Cold Spring Harbor and irregularly at other local Long Island beaches starting in June and ending when icicles form (usually late October-November). That's the essence of the listing you'll find on the U.S. Open Water Swimming web site.

To take a look at all the Open Water Swim Groups/Sites, (including ours!), CLICK HERE

Temperature and Exercise

Does a person tend to burn more fat exercising outdoors in colder weather or in hotter weather?

This question was asked and answered in a New York Times article by C. CLAIBORNE RAY and published on January 5, 2010.

Don't have today's edition of the New York Times by your side? CLICK HERE for the answer on Temperature and Exercise.

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.