Humans (and proto-humans) may have been running long distances for the last two million years, but swimming far is a modern pursuit. Shoulders often fatigue and become injured when put through the demands of long-distance open water swimming, but can we blame them? How long have humans been swimming this over-head “freestyle” anyway? Shoulder problems … Continue reading
I started experiencing shoulder pain in the fall of 2010, and just assumed it was due to stroke mechanics. (You can read more about my personal experience, including my surgery and post-op complications HERE.) When, by August 2011, the pain had gotten significantly worse, I sent out an email requesting advice from my local open water … Continue reading
I tell her occasionally, but I’m not sure if she ever really believes me: my 14-year-old niece Hannah is my daily inspiration. Before there was a coach Nick, or a support swimmer Peter (see this post), there was a Hannah. In order to understand how I call upon Hannah for strength, let me first introduce … Continue reading
I learned to swim as a wee one from my dad, who didn’t really swim himself, but was tall enough and encouraging enough to send me back and forth to the side of a pool. There were also the terrifyingly wonderful trips on his shoulders out into crashing ocean surf, which instilled in me a … Continue reading