Katie Hoff changes coaches - Will train with Bob Bowman!

Mike Freshley told me at the Santa Clarita Masters Meet a couple of weeks ago that, "you learn how to win when you lose!"

Katie Hoff is switching coaches. From the Washington Post:

Swimmer Katie Hoff has changed coaches after a disappointing Olympics in which the six-time world champion failed to win a gold medal in a half dozen events.

Hoff is working with Michael Phelps's coach, Bob Bowman, who has returned to her North Baltimore Aquatic Club after four years at the University of Michigan. Hoff trained with Paul Yetter since before she qualified for the 2004 Olympics as a 15-year-old.

[Link]

ErikHockstein and Jenny Cook set USMS records today at the 'SPMA Mission Viejo Short Course Meters Meet!'

SCAQ swimmers Erik Hochstein and Jenny Cook broke USMS records today. Erik Hockstein set a national record in the 400scm IM swimming a 3:48-and-change and Jenny Cook with that "titanium cog" for a heart stormed the 200scm breaststroke swimming it "old school" or flat in the water like Rebecca Soni! I didn't get Jenny's time but it will be posted soon. I am convinced that the breaststroke is an art and not a science.

Also, I saw a world record set by a 95-year-old in the 400 IM. Will I even be alive at that age? Oh, and he looked like he was a 75-year-old guy too. "Freshley's law" still holds true regarding swimmers and aging.

As for me, I did okay: the life guard was able to resuscitate me in just minutes this time without having to call 911. ;-)

'Newsweek': How Dara Does it!

This interview is a bait and switch endeavor. Newsweek throws Dara's name out there with a promise that her secrets will be revealed and instead you get some sports medicine guy who not only offended me as a swimmer with his repetitive injury remark but doesn't even coach Dara Torres. We should send over Richard Abrams or Mike Freshley to go spank him in a game of basketball.

Snippet from the Newsweek article: "... Is swimming easier on the body than other sports? Swimming, there's an enormous amount of repetitive injury. You're not landing like you are as a jogger. But by the same token, they're training so hard. I believe she just had shoulder surgery. The butterfly, which was a good stroke for her, she says, "I can't do it anymore because my shoulder still hurts, but I can still do the freestyle. ..." There is a video of her there too. [Link]

You find me an elite runner who is 60-years-old and you compare them to an elite masters swimmer who is 70-years-old and the masters swimmer will look better, be more flexible and have a better love life.