Keep Calm and Swim On - 2013 Ron Johnson Invitational

I know this phrase has been beaten to death, but I really like our "Ron Jon" shirts this year. They're kind of fitting, considering our head coach, Jonny Tunstall, is a Brit originally from Liverpool. He's a US citizen now, but I don't think he'll ever lose that accent. So, in your best British accent say the words: Keep Calm and Swim On!

Without fail, Arizona experiences some of the best weather around beginning mid-September; however, once we're closer to the Thanksgiving holiday, things invariably get a bit chilly. And, without fail, the annual Ron Johnson Invitational swim meet, put on my swim club, takes place during that time. For the past three years, it's been a bit chilly on the day of the event and yesterday was no exception. Rainy and 55 degrees -- Brrrr!

Trying to warm-up before my races was near impossible, but thank goodness for furry boots and swim parkas!!

The ever smiling Shirley Chow

Yeah, it's chilly, but look how beautiful it is!!

This is a webcam photo taken from Mesa, AZ pointing towards 

the Superstition Mountains. Gorgeous!!!

The cold and rainy weather didn't dampen the spirits of over 200 swimmers who came out for some some fun and fast swimming. Our new Masters champion, Darian Townsend was back for his second Masters meet and brought several of his former University of Arizona teammates with him. I wasn't able to watch many of Darian's races this time around, but I caught the last heat of the 200 Freestyle, which proved to be pretty amazing. One of Darian's former UofA teammates, Tyler DeBerry, swam a blistering time with our own LMSC President, Terry "Jaws" DeBiase (a former Cal Berkeley swimmer close to 50) on his heels. Another well-known Masters swimmer, Kurt Dickson was right there with them throughout the entire race.

In the top photo, from the left, Jaws is in Lane 3, with Tyler DeBerry just to his right in Lane 4.
Look where Tyler is after the first turn -- yeah, he's fast!

Here's a link to the Swimming World article, which provides additional insight into the amazing swims at our meet: 

http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/Masters/36865.asp

Besides, the fast swimming, there is the social aspect of a Masters meet that helps to offset the less than ideal weather.

Aung Sann Oo and Katy  Hodson (a.k.a. K-funk) in between races (sitting to Katy's left is her brother Greg (a.k.a. G-funk) Our coach is very fond of giving us fun nicknames.

Doug Foster (a former Navy Seal) in his "tactical" weather gear

Well, another Ron Jon is under my belt (my third), so it's time to continue keeping calm and swimming on until the next meet. Cheers!!