Swimmer's Ear - September 2005

Newsletter of the Potomac Valley Masters Committee
September 2005

Table of Contents

Note from the Chair
Articles and Interviews
Congratulations
Humor & Quotes
Meet News
Announcements
Classifieds
Photo Credits
Events Calendar

Newsletter Schedule

February (deadline: January 15)
May (deadline: April 15)
September (deadline: August 15)
December (deadline: November 15)

Eric Nordlund

The Colonies Zone LCM held on Aug 27-28 at GMU was a big success with about 155 swimmers competing. A special thanks to Jeff Roddin, Debbie Morrin-Nordlund, Ray Novitske, Tim Timmons, Michael Lee and Myriam Pero for making major contributions to the meet.

Potomac Valley fall meets include the DCAC SCM Meet on Oct 15, Patriot Masters Sprint Classic on Oct 30, JCCNV Lox & Bagel Meet on Nov 13 and the Terrapin Masters 1000/1650 on Dec 11 and should provide some fine opportunities for good swimming.

It was exciting to see local Marylander, Michael Phelps do so well at the World Cup in Montreal. I hope you enjoyed the swimming.

Happy Laps,
Eric Nordlund, Chair, Potomac Valley Masters Swimming

Articles and Interviews

Swimming to Live
by Cheryl Wagner

map
You swim for health, you swim to compete, or you swim to lose weight but you rarely think about swimming to save your life. Anya Maddox of New Orleans who was featured in the Washington Post, alternately swam, climbed, walked and ran her way to safety during Hurricane Katrina - the ultimate triathlon. When she arrived in Gonzales, she begged for a job and after drying off, starting waiting tables at Waffle House. As swimmers we can't help but think about our neighbors in New Orleans, not only the Masters swimmers but also all of the individuals suddenly required to swim for their lives. Much remains to be done now that the waters are receding - from cleaning up the horrendous environmental damage, to ensuring that the homeless are given food, shelter, and jobs. If you want to help, there are volunteer opportunities at the DC Armory serving meals to the evacuees (www.dccentralkitchen.org ), a multitude of charities devoted to helping listed on www.fema.gov , and other volunteer opportunities offered by the Red Cross www.redcross.org , the Salvation Army and even government agencies. (Treasury employees can go to Louisiana for 30 days.) So while doing your next workout, send a thought and a prayer to our fellow "swimmers" in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

Honk Twice If You Are From Looney
by Kenton Pattie KentonP1@aol.com , Annandale Masters

Preparing for a triathlon requires disciplined use of your time and tremendous love, compassion, and support from those closest to you.

There may be ways you can practice a skill while fulfilling a family responsibility. For example, running around a soccer field during your child's match, or spinning on your trainer while watching a practice. Or completing a 1650 yard non-stop swim in the public lane while your son or daughter is attending swim team practice. Or, riding your bike to work or to the Metro stop where there are bike cases and bike racks.

But, eventually, you will be tempted to participate in triathlon element specific events to build endurance and skill. For example, US Masters Swimming lists on their website many open water events; you might fly for a weekend to one of these or, for example, to St. Johns US Virgin Islands which has a series of open water swims. Take a loved one and accomplish relationship strengthening while developing your open water skills.

Even if you are already an excellent Masters swimmer, there is a great advantage to entering open water events of many distances, water temperatures, and weather conditions. One of the events you might try, for example, is Sunfest at Ocean City MD which offers September weekend ocean swims of three lengths that will help your triathlon performance.

It is a tremendous mental advantage to know that whatever the water conditions on triathlon race day, you've already done it and can survive anything. And surely you have a loved one who would like to spend a weekend at the beach with you!

bicycle As for cycling, there are many cycling events that will strengthen your triathlon performance. There is a cycling event in the Mid-Atlantic (www.mabra.org ) on almost every weekend of the spring, summer and fall. For example, you'll feel much more confident and prepared if you've completed cycling competitions of over 25 miles if you are training for an international distance triathlon or over 50 miles if you are training for a half-ironman distance triathlon.

It takes a combination of spinning classes and extensive road experience to build your self confidence and comfort on hilly and flat courses, in all weather conditions.

I mention "all weather conditions" because triathlons, bike races and running events are held despite heat or cold, wind or rain -- it's an outdoor sport (sometimes it's so cold you might call it a winter sport) and it pays to have competition experience in all outdoor conditions. And loved ones will worry less about you if you are experienced and not intimidated by the threat of heavy surf, extremely cold water, 20 mile per hour winds, and 80% chance of rain forecasts.

From all this preparation you'll come away with stories to tell about the many events you've entered. For example, the truck driver in Looney VA who pulled up behind competitors and honked a horn taken from a diesel train engine. Or, the sign at the bottom of a two mile mountain climb near Blacksburg, VA that said "It's Jesus or Hell;" and the hill seemed like hell on wheels. Or the fabulous views from a country road 3,000 feet up in the Virginia mountains. Or, the road named "Wrong Way Road." Or the church sign you passed that said "God didn't drop Moses even though he was a basket case." Or the mongoose darting in front of your bike in St. Croix, or the killer rabbit that appeared to attack your bike, or the deer that leaped a fence as you approached.

One final thought on relationship building. A person close to you might share your passion for one or more of the sports you do and enter events with you -- each performing at their own level. Or, because every event you enter has openings for volunteers: a family member or loved one will gain a deeper appreciation for your triathlon passion by seeing the whole event from the inside . . . as a volunteer. Volunteers need only serve for a few hours, but they too will come away with their own stories to tell, awesome bodies they have seen, or funny things that happened when, for example, swimmers came out of the water from an hour's open water swim.

Taxes, Shmaxes, I Just Want to Swim!
by Cheryl Wagner

You formed a club, recruited members, and found a place to swim. Now the last thing you want to do is worry about taxes! But it's important and not as hard to do, as you think. Here are some basics to setting up your club as a non-profit organization, gaining tax-exempt status, and staying out of trouble.

Nonprofits were authorized by Congress which determined that certain types of organizations should be free from the burden of taxation. To qualify for nonprofit status, an organization must apply for recognition from the IRS. The organization is then monitored and must report annually if its gross annual receipts exceed $25,000.

There are various subsections of the Internal Revenue Code under which an organization can apply for tax-exempt status. The most common is 501(c)3 although many organizations qualify under 501(c)(4) - Organizations which promote community welfare, and 501(c)(7) - Social and Recreation Clubs. There are pros and cons to each classification although 501(c)3 is the only one which grants tax-deductible status to donor contributions.

Certain types of organizations are automatically considered tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) without filing Form 1023, including: churches, temples, and mosques; and any organization that has yearly gross receipts under $5,000 and an organizing document that states its charitable purpose. However, these organizations cannot grant tax-deductible status to donor contributions unless they apply to the IRS and receive an official determination letter recognizing their 501(c)(3) status. If the organization's gross annual receipts exceed $5,000 it must apply for tax-exempt status (within 90 days) in order to avoid paying taxes. Also note, that registering your club with USMS does not grant tax-exempt status to the club. USMS only extends tax-exempt status to it's Local Masters Swim Committees, and not individual clubs under those LMSCs.

In order to qualify under Section 501(c)(3), an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes. The organizing document must permanently dedicate its assets to that end.

Certain activities are prohibited or restricted for 501(c)(3) organizations including participating in certain political campaigns, using funds to enrich its board members or key employees, conducting a trade or business that is unrelated, participating in illegal activities, and influencing legislation.

Every organization that qualifies as a 501(c)(3) organization, is further classified as either a public charity or a private foundation. A foundation receives its support from a small number of donors, while a charity has a broader base of support. Different tax rules apply to each, for example deductibility of contributions to a foundation is more limited than contributions to a public charity.

Tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) is a federal matter. You may also have to register with your state in order to solicit contributions and be exempt from state taxes. The National Association of State Charity Officials maintains a website with links to the states for more information: www.nasconet.org

To apply for tax-exempt status, submit a Form 1023 to the IRS along with the appropriate user fee. The form requests financial data, a copy of the organizing document, the names of board members and the purpose of the organization, among other things.

In order to have the necessary structure to file for tax-exempt status, it is important for the organization to:

Obtain an EIN (Employer Identification Number)
Elect officers and/or form a board
Write bylaws

An officer, director, trustee or other official who is authorized to sign for the organization must sign Form 1023 at the end of Part XI. The IRS will acknowledge receiving the application in writing, within 21 days. Generally it takes several months to receive the approved section 501(c)(3) letter. If the IRS determines that additional information is needed, a specialist will be assigned to the case, who will call or write. Once the organization has been approved, the Form 1023 and supporting documents will be open for public inspection. If you need assistance there is a toll-free Exempt Organization Customer Account number where you may call with questions (1-877-829-5500).

501(c)(3) organizations must file annually with the IRS if annual gross receipts exceed $25,000, generally using a Form 990 and possibly some schedules. For information on filing requirements, see IRS Publications 557 and 598, and the Form 990 instructions at www.irs.gov .

There are a number of websites which have advice for nonprofits and some will even file for you, for a fee. These include www.nonprofithub.com , www.not-for-profit.org and http://legalzoom.com. You may wish to also consult a CPA, accountant or lawyer who is familiar with the nonprofit application process. Good luck to you and have fun with your new club.

Max's 7.5 Mile Potomac River Swim 2005
By Max Kukoy, DCRP

The Potomac River Swim for the Environment is a 7.5 mile swim from Virginia to Point Lookout State Park in Maryland. The weather was very nice. It was mostly overcast, about 70 degrees, not much wind, water temp 65 degrees.

I decided to enter this race last year, after I was supposed to kayak for my friend, James Kegley. The race was cancelled in 2004 because of bad weather (4-5 foot seas), maybe I was figuring the same thing would happen to me.

I started training in earnest in January. I decided that if I was going to do this swim, I would be much happier actually putting in enough effort to hopefully do well and not simply finish. Aside from missing a couple weeks to bronchitis in April, and a week in late May to a stiff neck, training went very well, especially considering how much time I spent swimming by myself. Swimming by oneself is really hard to sustain, up and back, up and back, up and back, ugh. I wonder if the time I missed being sick actually helped me in the long run by allowing me to rest and recover.

Max Kukoy finishing the Potomac Swim (photo by Pat Feeney)

While training, most of my free time was taken up by swimming. I have no garden this year, my house is in a severe state of chaos, and I did not do a lot of communicating with friends. Multitasking has never been my strong suit.

How does a race like this work? Each swimmer has a kayaker who guides you through the race. From the swimmer's perspective, you can't see a thing. You have no idea where your going, so you need someone to follow. James was my kayaker, and a fabulous job he did. He stayed to my left the whole way, right beside me the whole time. The plan was to stop every 20 minutes for a drink, so he would hold up all five fingers when I was I had 5 minutes left before a stop. Just before stopping he would pull ahead and get my drink ready for me, then hold it out for me. While stopped, he would tell my stroke rate, and tell me how close I was to those ahead of me. Three times during the swim I ate during a stop, a 1/2 of a larabar (chocolate coconut) and on the last stop a banana. Bananas, I think, are difficult to handle while in a kayak, mine was rather squished when handed to me, but bananas don't suffer much from being squished when your in the middle of the Potomac river. I found out how impossible it is to guide yourself during the swim at the end of each rest stop. I would start swimming again, and it would take James a minute to get everything put away and get back in place beside me.

Invariably duing this time I would start swimming way to the left or way to the right. This would happen in a span of maybe 10 seconds. I simply can't swim straight, not even close to straight. You would think that all the years of pool swimming might cause one to swim straight naturally, evidently not. I think I could complete circle in a few minutes without realizing it.

While swimming, your kayaker gives you hand signals. It seems that there are some universal hand signals. The aforementioned 5 minutes left, a "doing good" signal, which is the thumb and forefinger in a circle. Unfortunately, James and I did not cover the signals before starting the swim. So I was very confused when he started tapping his forehead about an hour into the swim. I found out what it meant a few seconds later when I ran smack into a piece of floating wood. I stopped and James looked at me and said, "When I tap my forehead, that means your about to run into something."

The plan was to stop every 20 minutes and take a drink, and eat something every few stops during the swim. Since I have not done any swims of this length, I was quite unsure of how I was going to feel in the water. My only comparison is the Bay Bridge swim, a 4.4 mile swim. I have always felt like crap at the end of that swim. So, I figured, feel like crap after 4.4 miles, what the hell am I going to do for the next 3.1 miles? I decided to take it very easy for the first 20 minutes. Since warmup was not an option, the first 20 minutes served as a warmup. One of the best things about swimming a race like this is having a kayaker. With a kayaker you have someone who is helping you out, someone who is rooting you on, and you get regular feedback. For me, the race was much easier because I knew how long I had been swimming, which meant I knew approximately how long I had left. This is quite useful information when your trying to just keep swimming strong. It helped me stay focused through the the whole race.

The race started and I felt good, surprisingly good. The first 20 minutes was easy and I was loose and relaxed and feeling pretty confident about having a good swim. I kept my pace fairly slow and easy though for the first hour, I kept telling myself that it is a long race. Feeling good for the first hour and swimming too fast leads to feeling terrible for the last couple of hours. At the end of the first hour I picked up the pace a bit and held that pace for the next hour. TWO hours in and I still felt good. I was wildly surprised . After two hours there was just three of us vying for the lead. I kept increasing my stroke rate during the swim, and for the last 40 minutes was swimming about as hard as I could. I am not sure I was swimming any faster though. In review, I might try to work on swimming more efficiently at the end rather than just increasing my stroke rate. I did not catch either of the swimmers in front of me, but we all finished within 4 minutes of each other, so it was a pretty close finish.

At the end of the swim, as I was coming up to the beach, I was swimming as hard as I could, and inexplicably, there were hundreds of people on the beach and as I swam in. I could hear what I thought was cheering and clapping. This made no sense and swimming is not a good spectator sport, but a group of many hundreds, of hispanics were having a mass baptism at the very spot the race was finishing. So, I exited the water to mass chanting, singing and clapping. It was not for me, and it was a bit disconcerting, and rather humorous. I was swimming in wondering why all these people were here cheering for this race of 21 people.

A few of my friends showed up for the finish of the swim. Paul Fetters, Mary Beth Gardiner, Matt Fetters, Lindsay Moran and Jesse Kegley (my youngest fan). That was really cool to have some friends waiting at the end of the race. It is not the most exciting thing to wait around for a couple of hours to watch someone swim the last few hundred yards into the beach, but they showed up, and that felt great.

The end result: I got third place overall, and second place in the non-wetsuit division. Full results: http://www.crosslink.net/~cherylw/prs-05/prs2005-results.htm

The next week I swam in the Great Chesapeake Bay swim. A 4.4 mile swim across the bay in between the bridge spans. I had another good swim. My time was 1hr 40min 40secs. I was 24th overall out of 633 swimmers, and I placed third in my age group, 35-39. In retrospect, I will not do this double again, while I have no complaints about my bay swim(it was my best of 6 swims, time and place), I was not fully recovered from my swim the week before and maybe 12.1 miles of racing in one week is not the right thing to do.

I am all done now. It feels good to be done. Now I see the long list of tasks that I have ignored for the past few months. Maybe I should enter another long race?

Congratulations

USMS LC Nationals
Congratulations, Potomac Valley swimmers for your fine swims at LC Nationals. For a list of the PV results go to: www.pvmasters.org/results.htm.

2004 USMS Relay All-Americans (PV)
DCM DC Masters
Ann Svenson 58
Willis Braswell 59
Ann B Lyttle 56
Paul Grueneberger 57
Andrea M Haines 56
Nancy Kirkendall 61

GERM Germantown Maryland Masters
Adam K Spector 41
Dyann Charette 49
Brian C Crilly 36
Amy B Cooley 48
Brenda L Wilks 50
Emily L Groome 30
B Westerman Koback 37
Jennifer L Halem 33

TERR Terrapin Masters
Emad H Elshafei 38
Jillian A Martin 23
James S Crowder 27
Kelly E Bowman 23
Jennifer Teerlink 24
Meredith A Stakem 22
Lillian Hnath 21

Humor and Quotes

Jokes:
An elderly farmer was heading down to his pond with a bucket to pick some fruit. When he arrived he discovered some girls swimming and skinny-dipping in his pond. They shouted to him, "We're not coming out until you leave!" Without missing a beat, the farmer said, "I didn't come here to watch you swim, I came to feed the alligators." Moral of the story: Old men can still think fast.

Red Skelton: My wife told me the car wasn't running well because there was water in the carburetor.
I asked where the car was; she told me "In the lake."
Carpool

Duck into a recliner:
Duck lounge

Meet News

Colonies Zone Meet
April 22, 2005

Kenton Pattie (right) with friends	Peter Fehring, James Crowder
DC Masters Ladies	Kelly Bowman, James Crowder

Jim McDonnell Lake Swims
By Gordon Gerson

I would like to announce that, thanks to the highly successful Jim McDonnell Lake Swims, held in Lake Audubon, Reston on May 29th, the Reston Masters swim team was able to donate $5,500 to National Lymphoma Foundation. I want to thank all participants as well as the large group of volunteers and sponsors who made this possible. We broke all records for participation with over 500 swimmers signing up. The 2-mile swim was fully subscribed a few weeks before the meet and had to be closed down. Next year we hope to fully subscribe both the one and two-mile swims.

Potomac Swim June 4, 2005 by Cheryl Wagner
		Twenty-two swimmers competed in the 7.5 mile Potomac Swim on June 4. Delaware Masters Swimmer, Alicia Markey (wetsuit 3:19.25), accompanied by her kayaking husband, narrowly beat Igor Meskelis (no wetsuit 3:22.35) of Arlington, VA and Max Kukoy (no wetsuit 3:23.28) of DCRP. Other PV Potomac swimmers include Lindsey Fitzgerald of Reston, VA (wetsuit 3:49.37) and Alan Pollin (wetsuit 4:39.09) of Potomac, MD. Joe Stewart, who started the swim in 1993, did the first Potomac Swim relay. Swimmers were met by a large regional immersion baptism ceremony when they reached the finish line which occurred on the same day as the swim. Conditions this year featured water temperature of 65 degrees, overcast skies, 5-10 knot winds, 1 foot waves, and a significant ebb current. For compete results see: www.crosslink.net/~cherylw/pr2005i.htm Next year's swim is scheduled for June 3, 2006.

Chesapeake Bay Swim June 12, 2005

Juliette Sousa	Andrea Haines
Reston Masters Swimmers	Rob Williams
Gordon Gerson with his wife

Swim for Life June 18, 2005
Results from the June 18, 2005 14th Annual Maryland Swim for Life sponsored by District of Columbia Aquatics Club in the Chester River raising funds for HIV/AIDS and environmental organizations:
Top Fundraiser: $1,545, Toby Towson
First I mile finisher: 30m, Ted Hamilton
First 2 mile finisher: 48m, Jim Mullin
First 3 mile finisher: 1h 13m, Peter Haack
First 4 mile finisher: 1h 37m, Wonkee Moon
First 5 mile finisher: 2h 08m, Craig Saathoff

Complete results can be viewed at: www.swimdcac.org

Terrapin Cup LCM Meet June 29, 2005
by Bill Shipp

Sam Myers with his daughter

Mollie Petra

Mollie & Petra (showing off her tan)

Crofton vollyball

Crofton Volleyball Association (timers)

The Terrapin Masters hosted the first Terrapin Cup long course meet on June 29, 2005 at the University of Maryland natatorium. Meet organizers hope the meet will become an annual tradition at the world-class swim venue located in College Park, Maryland. The meet is designed to provide an additional long course competition during the summer season. Meet Director, Michael Lee, observed, "A bunch of us on the Terrapin Masters Team were discussing the fact that there are not enough meets in the long course season and we decided to pursue the opportunity to host a meet at our home pool. We also held the meet to recognize Jim Nealis, Cheryl Wagner, David Diehl, Debbie Morrin-Nordlund, and Steve Payne - Terrapins that have done a lot for the team." With the support and assistance of the Campus Recreation Center representatives, particularly Carrie Tupper, the meet came together and ran almost without a hitch. "We had a few glitches," said Lee, "but they were all worked out. All in all, it was an excellent first effort."

Because it was a first effort for the new T-Cup, the meet had a limited number of events and lasted a half-day. The Team hopes to work with CRS and expand the meet to at least a full day event next year. Even with a reduced offering of events, the meet attracted over 80 swimmers covering the full range of ages. Mr. Samuel Myers, a member of Minnesota Masters Swim Club, won the honorary award for registrant from farthest away. He was glad to have the opportunity to compete while in town visiting for Father's Day.

At least one national record was logged at the meet. Petra Martin set a national record of 34.28 in the women's (24-29) 50-meter breast (certification pending). Another benefit with what is hoped to become an annual event is the establishment of meet records for all the participants placing first in their respective events. "We also decided to focus on meet premiums. This allowed us to give 'Terrapin Cup' coffee mugs to everyone participating in the meet," according to Lee.

Andy Ellis, Mike Goodison, Monte Lewis, Jeff Strahota, and Bill Shipp headed up the meet committee. James Crowder, the Crofton Volleyball Association, and the University of Maryland Boxing Club supplied the bulk of the timers. Noble Jarrell, Allison Thomson, Meredith Stakem, Susanna Van Sant and Drew Martin were among the very helpful Terrapins working the meet. Meghan Gibbons also went above and beyond the call of duty to offer assistance. Cheryl Wagner did the web site and Eric Nordlund secured the talents of Jim and Ellen Carey, Mike O'Brien, and Rita Page to officiate -- without which, the meet could not have been held.

Participants in the meet were welcomed by letters in the program submitted by Dr. Mote, President of the University of Maryland College Park, Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson and County Council Chairman Samuel Dean. The inaugural event also attracted the attention of several corporate sponsors including IKEA, Behnke's Nursery, The Bagel Place, Chipotle's, College Perk, EHS LLC, Fossett & Brugger, Loiederman Soltesz, Marathon Deli, PEPCO, Barbara Richman Real Estate, Seven Springs Village, Six Flags, SwimPro, and Ultra Swim. State Senator Giannetti, State Delegate Holmes, Mr. Ira Bloom and Mr. Edwin Switzer also generously provided support to the Terrapin Cup.

Charlie Hoffman & swimmer		Susanna Van Sant, Ben Lee, Michael Lee, Debbie Morrin-Nordlund, Eric Nordlund, Craig Dewing & son, Allison Thomson

Control room (Eric Nordlund & Mike Goodison on right)

DCRP Meet July 24, 2005

Dan Dooher	Naomi Szekeres & Caron Whitacker (timers)
Emad Elshafei, Charlie Hoffman, Kirk Sanocki	Margot Pettijohn, Tom Denes, Mollie Grover
Shirley Baker, Nancy Sterline, Allan Baker (parents and daughter)

Announcements

USMS News
by Debbie Morrin-Nordlund

New USMS Brochures Available
A new USMS brochure, "Add Value to Your Aquatic Facilities," is available through the USMS National Office. This colorful brochure, developed by the USMS Marketing and Planning Committees, is useful for showing how a Masters swimming program can benefit a facility.

USMS Election Year
One of the items on the agenda at the 2005 USMS Convention is the election of a new Board of Directors to govern USMS. This year's election is the first involving the new governing structure approved at last year's convention in an effort to streamline the process of running USMS. During a meeting on May 8, the Election Committee qualified the nominees for the USMS Executive Committee and BOD. Candidates for Executive Committee will be placed on the slate for election in September. "Director" candidates will be slated by their respective zones (ours is Colonies) during convention. All positions, filled and unfilled, will be open for nominations from the floor during convention.

The slate for Executive Committee is: President - Rob Copeland; Vice President of Member Services - Mark Gill; Vice President of Local Operations - Julie Heather; Vice President of National Operations - Colleen Driscoll, Michael Heather, Leo Letendre; Vice President of Community Services - no candidate; Secretary - Meg Smath; Treasurer - Tom Boak.

Qualified Director Nominees are:
Breadbasket Zone - Anna Lee Roof
Colonies Zone - Betsy Durrant
Dixie Zone - No Candidate
Great Lakes Zone - Nadine Day, Mary Pohlmann
Northwest Zone - Jeanne Ensign
Oceana Zone - Michael Moore
South Central Zone - Carolyn Boak
Southwest Zone - No Candidate

Further information on the elections and candidates can be found at www.usms.org/admin/election05 . Please feel free to let your delegates know if you would like PV to support specific candidates for contested offices.

swimmer
Clay Britt Swimming Clinics
Come join us for a new season of swim clinics and get an early start to your swimming year. Included with the clinic is our own freestyle stroke drill DVD, a list of drills and swim techniques and your own underwater video with voiceover critique on a DVD. The clinics are held at the Lab School in Washington DC from 4:30 to 7:30 pm on the following dates: October 15, November 19, January 21, March 11, April 29, June 17 and July 22. The clinics include an hour discussion on swimming and technique, two hours of in the water instruction and a review of your underwater video that we film during the clinic. Join us for a clinic or two and learn how to make your swimming easier and faster. All strokes and swimming levels included.

For more informationpricing and availability visit: www.claybrittswimming.com, email clay@claybrittswimming.com or call 301-996-7946.

Note from the Registrar
The fee for swimmers to join USMS from September 1 through October 31 is reduced to $18.00. This registration will be valid through December 31, 2005. You may simply red-line the registration form to show the reduced price for any new swimmers who may join your club or hand out copies of the enclosed strip of paper with the registration forms.

If any swimmer at practice is not a member of USMS then the liability insurance for ALL swimmers in the pool is invalidated (exception: USA Swimming registered athletes may be in the pool as long as the coach is a USA Swimming certified coach). It is very important that all swimmers participating in practice and competitions be members of USMS. Furthermore the coach must either be a registered USMS member or a certified USA Swimming coach for the full liability coverage.

Please note the last PV-LMSC Board Meeting of the year will be at 10:30am on November 13 at the Northern VA JCC (prior to the Lox and Bagels meet). PV-LMSC by-laws require attendance to at least one board meeting each year (the penalty is an increased 2006 club renewal fee). Since we are a non-profit organization we would appreciate your participation much more than penalty fee revenue. The following teams have not yet met the attendance requirement this year: Annandale, Carson, Curl-Burke, DCRP, Fairfax Area Aquatic Team, Marymount, Masters Aquatics at Spring Hill, National Capitol YMCA, NOVA JCC, and Riptide. Your attendance would be appreciated as I plan to distribute the individual swimmer registration renewal forms at the meeting.

Please note at the last board meeting a motion was approved to raise the registration fee to $32 beginning with the 2006 registration year (which begins on November 1, 2005). Please modify any club information brochures accordingly.

OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR
Jeffrey Roddin
13548 Coachlamp Ln
Silver Spring, MD 20906-5835
Telephone: (240) 464-3982
E-mail: Registrar@pvmasters.org

Address Changes & Replacement Cards
REPLACEMENT CARDS:
Replacement USMS cards cost $5.00.
Tidbit: your USMS number is printed on your SWIM address label.

ADDRESS CHANGES:
Did you know that in a 1-year period USMS receives approximately 2,500 address changes from SWIM Magazine, Local Registrars and Individual Swimmers? The majority is from SWIM Magazine who receives the returned magazine. They in turn send them on to the USMS National Office. This is over 200 per month and 6% of our membership. By the time USMS receives this information and updates the database, the swimmer may already have missed the next issue.

LMSC Registrars send their monthly registrations and any address changes they receive to the National Office. The National Office in turn creates the labels for SWIM Magazine. If the swimmer does not inform their local registrar of their change in address, the national database is not updated and the magazine is sent to their old address.

THEREFORE SWIMMERS SHOULD CONTACT JEFF RODDIN (240-464-3982, roddin@pvmasters.org" ) WITH ANY ADDRESS CHANGES.

Terrapin Masters Reorganization
by Dave Diehl, Terrapin Masters

The Terrapin Masters Swim Club will be reorganizing by the end of the year in part because Campus Recreation has decided to exercise more control over the use of the pool facilities. The Terrapin Masters, which has existed for 25 years, will continue to exist and host the two distance meets (1000/1650 and 800/1500) each year as we have done for the past 23 years. Until some issues are resolved with Campus Recreation we are seeking new facilities to host these two annual meets in order to keep them going. As you will notice from the 2005, 1000/1650 meet announcement in this Newsletter, we will be hosting this years meet at the newly renovated pool at Catholic University. I hope you will continue to support these two meets, no matter the venue. We have continued to host both of these meets for 20 plus years because of your support and desire to have them continue.

Thanks again for all your encouragement and kind words and we look forward to seeing you in December at Catholic University.

DCRP - New Practice Location in Takoma Park
DCRP is swimming at the brand new Takoma Recreation Center on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday practice is held at the Marie Reed Community Learning Center pool in Adams Morgan. We also swim at East Potomac Park Pool during the summer. See our website for details: www.swimdcrp.org

The Takoma Recreation Center is located at the corner of 3rd and Van Buren Streets, NW. The pool parking lot is accessed from 3rd street. Marie Reed Learning Center is located at 2200 Champlain St., NW. This is roughly at 18th Street & Kalorama Rd., NW. East Potomac Park Pool is at Hains Point in DC.

USMS Summer Streamlines Issue
The summer issue of USMS Streamlines is available online at: www.usms.org

New Long Distance Swimming Website
by Karen Reeder

We have the long distance swimming web site up although we are still working out the kinks. http://usopenwaterswimming.org Check it out!

Next PV Board Meeting
The next PV board meeting will be on November 13, 2005 at 10:30AM prior to JCCNV's Lox & Bagel Meet. The agenda will include PV Elections, and USMS Convention review. For more info: www.pvmasters.org

PV LMSC Board Meeting Minutes
June 19, 2005
Submitted by Debbie Morrin-Nordlund

Meeting called to order at 12:30pm. Meeting attendees introduced themselves and identified their representations.

MSA to adopt Minutes from April 2005 PVLMSC board meeting.

Reports:
Chair - Thanked Terrapin Master for new LC meet held prior to meeting. PV will write a letter to Director of facility thanking for facility and staff. Noted that PV will be hosting Colonies Zone LC Championships August 27-28 at George Mason.

Registrar - 1650 swimmers registered currently; there were a large number of 1 event registrations for the RMST-run lake swims (not all submitted for total yet).

Top Ten - SCY PV Top 10 submitted to National.

Sanctions - Replacement being sought for current sanction chair (Eric Nordlund agreed to take over after Chair term ends in November). Distributed and reviewed results of 2005 meets to date and assigned evaluators for upcoming meets.

Treasurer - Current year budget reviewed.

Secretary - Delegate submission for 2005 USMS Convention discussed - all delegates will need to produce information regarding convention issues for the PV newsletter. Delegates for 2005 will be E. Nordlund, R. Novitske, M. Pero, J. Roddin, A. Svanson.

Newsletter - Deadline for next newsletter is August 15. Will advertise option to opt out of paper version of PV newsletter (e-mail to team contacts from Registrar, posting on web site and in newsletter).

Awards - 2004 awards were presented at Colonies Zone meet. Discussion ongoing regarding potential addition of Open water/Long Distance category.

Officials - No report.

Old Business:

MSA to raise swimmer registration fee to $32 for 2006.
PV election procedures reviewed - election to be held at annual meeting (Nov. 13, 2005) for chair, treasurer and secretary. Current slate: Chair - Debbie Morrin-Nordlund (TERR), Treasurer - Tim Timmons (GMUP), Secretary - Brad Austin (DCAC)

Next meeting: November 13, 2005 prior to JCCNV Lox & Bagel Meet. Agenda to include PV Elections, USMS Convention review of important USMS information.

Holland Island Foundation
Stephen White bought Holland Island in the Chesapeake Bay, and now works to preserve both its history and its acreage, part of an ever-diminishing nesting habitat for the area's herons, egrets and other waterfowl. In 1995, he established the Holland Island Preservation Foundation and has appealed to the Maryland Port Authority for dredge materials, which he hopes to use to restore the island to its former size. For now, White makes weekly trips to the island in his old 19-foot boat, to build rock-and-textile-tube jetties he hopes will protect the shoreline. To donate, volunteer or learn more, see www.intercom.net/local/holland

Dee Dee of St. Mary's Skipjack
The Dee of St. Mary's, an environmental and educational Skipjack, is available for hire for wedding receptions, dinner sails, and other events. To learn more about the skipjack and shore side program contact Georgia Wheeler at jbwassoc@erols.com or see www.thebaylab.org

All-Star Aquatics
All Star Aquatics Masters announces the most comprehensive masters practice schedule in the area. Visit www.AllStarAquatics.com for registration forms, info and family discounts. Questions, call 301.455.4341 or email: mailto:info@allstaraquatics.com

Stone Ridge Aquatics Center is located across from NIH, inside the beltway on Wisconsin Ave. and is Metro accessible. Bolger Center pool is in Potomac, MD, 1 mile from Montgomery Mall.

MORNINGS - BOLGER CENTER POOL
September 13 to December 31 (#MAFBO) $395
January 1 to May 25 (#MASBO) $650
September 13 to May 25 (#MABO) $995
Tu/Th 5:00-6:15am at Bolger
Sun 8:00-9:30am at Stone Ridge

MORNINGS - STONE RIDGE POOL
September 12 to December 31 (#MAF1SR) $395
January 1 to May 26 (#MAS1SR) $650
September 12 to May 26 (#MA1SR) $995
M/W/F 5:30-7:00am at Stone Ridge
Sun 8:00-9:30am at Stone Ridge

EVENINGS - STONE RIDGE POOL
September 12 to December 31 (#MAF2SR) $395
January 1 to May 26 (#MAS2SR) $650
September 12 to May 26 (#MA2SR) $995
M/W/F 7:00-8:30pm at Stone Ridge
Sun 8:00-9:30am at Stone Ridge

ALL PRACTICES - ALL TIMES
September 12 to December 31 (#MAF3SR) $550
January 1 to May 26 (#MAS3SR) $795
September 12 to May 26 (#MA3SR) $1295
M/W/F 5:30-7:00am at Stone Ridge
Tu/Th 5:00-6:15am at Bolger
M/W/F 7:00-8:30pm at Stone Ridge
Sun 8:00-9:30am at Stone Ridge

Note from the Registrar - Save Some Trees!
By Jeff Roddin

If your household is receiving more than one copy of The Swimmer's Ear and you would prefer not to receive the extra copies, please contact Jeff Roddin (240-464-3982, jroddin@pvmasters.org ) and let him know which registered PV swimmers wish to be "unsubscribed." Or, if you prefer to view it online and save PV the postage just let Jeff know. You may also opt out of the USMS Swimmer magazine. There are no discounts for opting out of these mailings. Thanks, Jeff

XI FINA World Masters Champiionships 2006
The dates of the XI FINA World Masters Championships have been established. Swimming competition will be 4 August 2006 through 11 August 2006.

The official web site www.2006finamasters.org is now up. Information on the web site includes:

Dates and Schedule of the XI FINA World Masters Championships
The meet qualification times
Hotel availability and on-line booking

HOTELS
The XI FINA World Masters Championships Organizing Committee has made arrangements for special pricing for hotels around the venue. You are encouraged to make reservations as soon as possible, there is only a limited amount of hotel space near the aquatic venue. You can make your reservations online
or you can call
1- 800-826-4630 toll free (US)
01-310-590-4721 international
01- 310-649-3554 fax (24 hours) from 5 am to 6 pm Pacific time

To sign up for the FINA e-mail list, go to
http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/finamasters

Many thanks. We look forward to seeing you in 2006.
Michael Moore, Chairman, michael@2006FINAMasters.org
2006 FINA Masters World Championships

Expedition Chesapeake
On June 24, sixteen students from Turner Ashby High School embarked on a 355-mile, 30-day canoe and kayak trip from the Shenandoah River to the Potomac River to Tangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay. They paddled canoes until they reached Washington, DC, where they switched to kayaks.

The purpose of the expedition was to connect the rivers to the Bay and to see the impact of pollution from local rivers and streams on the Bay. Water quality testing equipment, supplied by NOAA, was used to monitor water quality the entire 355 miles. Other partners in this expedition include Chesapeake Bay Foundation and LL Bean. For more information, see the following links, which include maps, photos and daily journal entries. www.baybound.org or www.cbf.org.

Looking For a Few Good Swimmers
May 21, 2006
Anyone interested in swimming across the Patapsco River on May 21, 2006 can contact Joe Stewart, 3212 Avon Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21218 (410) 767-1354, (410) 243-4418 Jstewart@dat.state.md.us Participating swimmers must raise at least $400 for urban watershed groups.

Save the Patapsco Hon! Swim &
Patapsco/Back Rivers Tributary Team Wade-In
May 22, 2005
$5,720 has been collected in this year's swim, including $454 taken in the fish bowl at the Patapsco/Back River Tributary Team Wade-In & Picnic before Sue Wilkinson Megaw and Joe Stewart came ashore on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay at North Point State Park after swimming across the mouth of the Patapsco River from Venice on the Bay against strong winds and currents and unusually high tides due to a full moon.

WMAR TV Channel 2 covered the line of waders walking into the water on its Sunday evening news and Dundalk Eagle had pre-and-post event articles. The Baltimore Sun, City Paper and Bay Weekly joined Spin Sheet in promoting the event.

Patapsco The swimmers were aided by a water safety crew from the Chesapeake Bay Boston Whaler Club, the Chesapeake Paddlers Association, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Baltimore Maritime Exchange, which coordinated the crossing of the commercial shipping lane.

A fifth swim is scheduled next year on Sunday, May 21, 2006. The course will again be from Venice on the Bay to North Point State Park with an 8:00 am projected starting time. Another swimmer, Richard Wallace from New Jersey, has signed up to swim with Joe. A few more swimmers will be sought.

Special thanks to the Patapsco/Back River Tributary Team for turning the swim into an event and to the individuals, urban watershed groups and public agencies who helped with food and beverages, displays and publicity, as well as warm bodies.

The swimmers were definitely motivated to keep on stroking by the knowledge that they would be cheered in by a great and heroic crowd! Thanks also to North Point State Park, Venice on the Bay and Greater Homewood Community Corporation.

National Geographic Highlights the Bay
from CBF newsletter (www.cbf.org )

The June 2005 issue of National Geographic Magazine includes the feature "Saving the Chesapeake." The magazine's website contains excerpts from "Why Can't We Save the Bay?" According to the author, Tom Horton, "Conservationists know what's wrong with the Bay and how to fix it. They also know why it won't happen soon." Horton has spent 30 years as an environmental reporter for the Baltimore Sun, and was one of the contributing authors in the National Geographic cover feature "Chesapeake Bay: Hanging in the Balance" 12 years ago.

Available online at National Geographic are a Chesapeake Bay photo gallery, a multimedia presentation on watermen, history, an interactive map, and much more.

Live Bald Eagle Web Cam
Friends of Blackwater website ( www.friendsofblackwater.org ) has a wealth of information on the Blackwater refuge in Maryland including two live webcams showing bald eagle and osprey nests.
camers:
Osprey cam
Bald Eagle cam

Classifieds

Deborah Brudvig Swim Art
Swim Muse

Sea Devils Masters Swimming
We offer AM practices at the Lab School of Washington & the Madeira School in McLean, VA. The focus of Sea Devils Masters is to provide training for a wide variety of swimmers and interests: from those interested in conditioning for health and fitness, to swimmers training for Masters Nationals and other competitions such as the Chesapeake Bay Swim. For more information, please see our website www.seadevils.org or call 703-917-9208.

Oceanus Digital Swim Analysis
"See Yourself Swim....See Yourself Swim Better."

Above and Below Water Digital Videotaping
Voiceover Commentary
Light Pen Telestration
Measurement and Analysis of All Critical Stroke Techniques and Metrics
Office and Client Site Consultations
Highly Credentialed Consultants

Our services can help you achieve your Masters' Swimming goals and far beyond. Find out more by calling or visiting our website.

Phone: (703) 823-SWIM Website: www.oceanus-consulting.com US Mail: 218 Ellsworth Street, Alexandria, VA. 22314

Terrapin Masters-Pay by Punch Card
Practices are held in a world-class facility at UM Campus Rec. Pay by the practice (punch-card). Winter schedule for Terrapin Masters:

Mon, Wed, Thu 6:30PM - 8:00PM
Tue, Thu 6:15AM - 7:45AM
Sat 8:15AM - 9:45AM

www.terrapinmasters.org

College Park Bike Shop Discount
www.bike123.com

Web photo gallery - new & used bikes.
Park Tool School - Oct & Nov 4 classes.

Armchair Athlete available on Amazon.Com
Montgomery Ancient Mariner, Tom Denes, has written a new book called The Armchair Athlete: Fitness for Baby Boomers and Other Rebels. This book is perfect for the inactive people in your life and can motivate them to begin exercising for better health.

His unique book is designed with thick pages that are cut into three segments - the first containing a flexibility exercise, the second a strength exercise, and the third an endurance exercise. The pages can be mixed and matched to produce more than 8,000 workouts. The book also offers exercises at three levels of difficulty, from beginner, to intermediate, to advanced, to fit any exerciser's lifestyle. There is no other book like this on the market. The Armchair Athlete is available on www.Amazon.com

Superior Auto Care
Welcomes Masters Swimmers

North Gambrills, MD (near Bowie)
(410) 923-7755
www.superiorautocarellc.net

Protective Ear Goggles
I would like to introduce you to EPG...ear protective goggles for those who love to swim but suffer from ear infections.

www.freewebs.com/epggoggles will give you information about this product.

Joanne DeAngelis Email: jodeangelis@aol.com

Still Saving the Patapsco Hon! Party
Nov 6, 2005
Still Saving the Patapsco, Hon! V Party
Sunday, November 6, 2005
1:00 pm until 5:00 pm
3212 Avon Avenue Baltimore MD 21218

Food, Beverage, Good Company & Joe Stewart Photo Cards

This is Joe's 5th party raising funds for our urban watershed! May 21, 2006 will be his 5th swim across the Patapsco River!

To make a swim pledge or photo card donation, write a check payable to GHCC or Greater Homewood Community Corporation, note "Save the Patapsco, Hon!" in the memo section and mail it to Joe Stewart, 3212 Avon Ave, Baltimore, MD 21218! For more information, call 410-243-4418.

Patuxent Adventure Center
Solomons, MD
SALE: Columbia Sportswear
SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT: bikes, kayaks, wetsuits, triathlon.
GUIDED TOURS: Solomons Area
INSTRUCTION: Free Rolling Sessions - with purchase of kayak
www.paxadventure.com

Wheel Nuts Bike Shop -
Alexandria, VA
302 Montgomery Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-548-5116
Fax 703-548-5117
Owners: Ron & Trina Taylor
www.wheelnuts.net

Mark Murray - Coaching & Swim Instruction
Former Varsity coach and record-holding miler, Mark Murray, is available for individual and team coaching and instruction. For more information, contact Mark at: swmmurray@yahoo.com

Petra Adamkova - Coaching & Swim Instruction
Individual swimming and dryland lessons available. Please contact: Petra Martin at 301-910-1826 or petraadamkova@yahoo.com Petra will work with your individual needs! All levels of athletes, children or just people that are trying to stay healthy and in a good shape are welcome. Swim lessons can be focused on teach how to swim, technique improvements or more advanced training and conditioning. Dryland lessons can cover anyone who wants to stay healthy, get stronger and in better shape, improve flexibility, compliment the swimming part of your workouts, loose weight, or anything else you need.

~~~~~~~~~

Photo Credits

all photos - by Cheryl Wagner except:
Eric Nordlund - Debbie Morrin-Nordlund
Map of Louisiana - MapQuest
Max Kukoy - Pat Feeney
Jokes - Joke of the Day
Alexandria Masters - Ray Novitske
Dee of St. Mary's - thebaylab.org
Patapsco Wade-In - Joe Stewart

Events Calendar

2005 Pool Calendar

2006
Check Off Challenge www.usms.org

Sept 1 - Oct 31
2005 USMS 3000/6000 Yard Postal, PST-LD; Riley Stevens, 200 Indian Trail, Anderson, SC 29625 (864-287-0956) email at rileyrst@aol.com Or contact Clemson Aquatic Team (864-287-0956) jelg@innova.net

Oct 5
World Senior Games - St. George, UT - www.seniorgames.net

Oct 10-15
All Americas LatyCar 2005 - Sao Paulo, Brazil www.latycar.org

Oct 15
DCAC Fall Swim Ball SCM Meet at the brand new Takoma rec center in DC, Deck entries allowed. Info: Christina West meet@swimdcac.org (202) 234-1620 Meet entry form: www.swimdcac.org

Oct 15
Clay Britt Swim Clinic DC Lab School www.claybrittswimming.com Email: clay@claybrittswimming.com

Oct 30
GMUP Patriot Masters Sprint Classic at GMU Aquatic Center in Fairfax, VA, Entry deadline: Oct 22, Meet entry form: www.patriotmasters.org Info: Cheryl Ward (703) 359-5366 cherylaward@yahoo.com

Nov 13
9th Annual Lox & Bagel SCM Meet JCCNV Fairfax, VA www.pvmasters.org Info: Matthew Alvin (703) 323-0880 ext. 38 or e-mail: MATTA@JCCNV.org Entry Deadline Nov 7, 2005

Nov 19
Clay Britt Swim Clinic DC Lab School www.claybrittswimming.com Email: clay@claybrittswimming.com

Dec 2-4
New England Masters Zone Short Course Meters Championships - Wheaton College, Norton, MA, SCM; Laszlo Eger, laszloeger@hotmail.com ; www.usms.org

Dec 11
23rd Annual Terrapin Masters 1000/1650 Meet - Catholic University Dufour Center, Washington DC, Info: Dave Diehl 301-946-0649 (H) before 9pm please or 301-314-5372 (W) ddiehl@umd.edu Web: www.terrapinmasters.org

Dec 31
Terrapin Masters Swim in the New Year - UM Campus Rec Facility, College Park, MD, 10AM-4PM. Info: Jim Nealis JENealis@aol.com (301)345-5512 or Cheryl Wagner Cherylw@crosslink.net 202-387-2361 Web: www.terrapinmasters.org

Jan 1-31, 2006
USMS One Hour Postal Championships PST-LD; Tom Spence, 440-247-7145, talltom13@msn.com ; Laura Kessler, 440-526-9590, swimlaura@ameritech.net www.usms.org

May 11-14, 2006
USMS Short Course Nationals - Coral Springs, FL SCY; Michael Lohberg, 12241 Royal Palm Blvd., Coral Springs, FL 33065, 954-345-2121, mlohberg@aol.com www.usms.org

Aug 4-10, 2006
XI FINA World Masters Championships - Palo Alto, CA LCM; Michael Moore, 350 Wayland St., San Francisco, CA 94134, michael@2006FINAmasters.org ; Also sanctioned by FINA and includes a 3.0 KM open water swim at Crown Point, San Francisco Bay. www.2006finamasters.org

2005 Long Distance/Open Water Calendar

Oct 22, 2005: 2005
USMS 10K National Open Water Championships - Gulf of Mexico, Ft. Meyers, FL www.usms.org

Oct 23, 2005
St. Croix 10th Annual Coral Reef 5-mile Swim, St. Croix U.S. Virgin Islands; www.swimrace.com

Nov 5, 2005
Bonaire EcoSwim 10K, 5K, and metric mile Swims Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles www.randynutt.com

Jun 17, 2006
USMS 1-3 Mile Open Water Championship (2.5 km) - Hartwell Lake, Clemson, SC OW; Jacque Grossman, 864-646-8836 (d), jelg@innova.net; Sanctioned by SC LMSC www.usms.org

Jul 15, 2006
USMS 2 Mile Cable Championships - Chris Greene Lake, Charlottesville, VA www.usms.org

Jul 29, 2006
USMS 1 Mile Open Water Championships - Lake Erie, Cleveland, OH OW; Tom Spence, 440-247-7145, talltom13@msn.com www.usms.org

Aug 12, 2006
USMS 6+ Mile Open Water Championships (10 km) - Horsetooth Reservoir, Fort Collins, CO OW; George Thornton, 970-482-1818, louiset36@comcast.net ; Backup date is 8/13/2006; www.usms.org

Sep 9, 2006
USMS 3-6 Mile Open Water Championships (5 miles) - Lake Michigan, Chicago, ILL OW; Chris Sheean, 312-857-7087, chris@bigshoulders.org www.usms.org

2005 Local Multi-sport Calendar

Oct 1
Chesapeake Man Ultra Distance Triathlon - Cambridge MD www.tricolumbia.org

Oct 1:
Osprey Triathlon - Public Landing, MD - www.lmsports.com

Oct 9
3rd Annual CAPE HENLOPEN TRIATHLON AND CAPE HENLOPEN DUATHLON Cape Henlopen State Park at the main parking lot - bath house, DE www.lin-mark.com

Oct 8
Seagull Century Bike Ride Salisbury MD www.seagullcentury.org

Oct 15
Sherando Lake Sprint Triathlon - Waynesboro, VA www.trifind.com

Oct 16
Riverside Sprint Triathlon - Midlothian, VA - www.trifind.com

Oct 22
1st Annual Thundergust Autumn Leaves Duathlon, 2 Mi. R - 15 Mi. BK- 5K R. Flat & Fast Parvin State Park, Pittsgrove, NJ www.lin-mark.com

Nov 6
Ben Franklin Bridge Run 10K - Camden, NJ www.lmsports.com

May 28, 2006
Liberty to Liberty America's Memorial Triathlon New York to Philadelphia - New York, NY 1.3-Mile Swim, 91-Mile Bike, 10K Run www.envirosports.com

Sep 16, 2006
Alcatraz Sharkfest Swim Alcatraz Island - San Francisco, CA 1.5-mile swim from Alcatraz Island to Aquatic Park www.envirosports.com