Go The Distance milestone #1 achieved!

My goal for the week was to get that first milestone of the U.S. Masters Swimming program calld "Go The Distance". The first milestone is to swim 50 miles and when you achieve that, you will have earned a latex swim cap with the "Go The Distance" logo, the text "50 miles", and Nike's swish logo (since they are the sponsor).

For those of you who are not familiar with the "Go The Distance" program, it's a joint program offered by U.S. Masters Swimming and Nike to get people out of bed or off the comfy couch and into the pool. It works by you entering the yards (or meters) you swim each day/week/month, and when you reach certain milestones, you earn a prize.

The entries are entered on the U.S. Master Swimming fitness log, an online exercise log that is part of your USMS membership. You don't have to enter your distance everyday, as you can total it up and enter it every week or every month. I find it easier to enter my distances after each workout, as it gives me an idea of what exactly I have been doing and when I miss workouts.

I needed 2300 yards tonight in order for me to make it to 50 miles. As you can tell from the 50.11 miles total, I actually got in a few more yards than what I needed. All I have to say is that I am now very happy with having achieved this milestone for the fourth year in a row. I may be the slowest and definitely the heaviest USMS swimmer around, but I am out there, doing it. My goal is 100 miles.