Colleen's Blog

http://www.lakeswim09.blogspot.com/

BIO

Although I was an age group champion and member of the National Team in 1968-69, I have been a Masters swimmer for so much longer. Since 1982 I've set Canadian records and won a World Championship in 1989 in the 50m Backstroke. After helping a friend swim across Lake Ontario in 1989, I realized that I was actually pretty good at open water and changed my focus. I crossed Lake Ontario for the first time in 1990 in a time of 17hrs., 56 mins. at a distance of 45kms, ending at Leslie Street Spit. In 1993 I swam the very cold and volatile body of water between Tobermory and Manitoulin Island, a distance of 25 miles.

Over the years I realized that I had unfinished business in Lake Ontario and went at it again in 2006. This time I did it right, ending at Marilyn Bell Park (full distance of 52kms) in a time of 16hrs., 30 mins., becoming the oldest woman to swim Lake Ontario.

http://mymsc.ca/Features/200610/ColleenShields.jsp

As my swan song to open water swimming I now want to make an honest attempt to be the fastest female to swim Lake Ontario, not to mention the oldest (again) so I'll attempt another crossing on August 7 - 8 this year. Since my last profile in 2006 I've continued to swim Masters and every summer I try to swim as many open water events as I can. Under our new coach, Brent Aquino, I started to swim better than ever and got to thinking that with his guidance I could get the record this time. So here I am at 57 attempting to break a 35-year old record held by 16-year old Cindy Nicholas.

FAST FACTS

Number of Years in Swimming: 54 (Yes, my first race was when I was 3. Those 10 year olds were huge!).

Favourite Stroke: Backstroke or Freestyle

Favourite Set: Anything with distance - 400s & 600s.

Most Helpful Dryland Training: I've been working with a personal trainer, Mike Sandusky, and we've been doing muscle endurance conditioning. It's tough but I can feel it's working for me.

Favourite Post-Swim Meal: Pizza

Hobbies: Swimming, Golf, Baseball

Current Reading: The Witch of Portobello

Favourite Song: The Best by Tina Turner

Best Swimming Resource: Currently any website that offers water temperatures of Lake Ontario and weather sites. Otherwise it's my coach. I rarely research it.

Best Advice Ever: When I get it, I'll let you know LOL!!!

THE INTERVIEW

In 2006 you said you were finished with Lake Ontario swims. You said, "I don't think I could ever repeat what I did. It's all good and it's done." What changed?

I read over my swim report. Until then I didn't realize that I had been close to breaking the record. Then in 2007 I went to do my 8-mile swim that I do every summer and I was over 30 minutes faster without training for anything specific and it got me thinking (that's dangerous as I often think BIG) if I'm faster just swimming through the summer then if I trained for the Lake again perhaps I could really challenge the record. It's been there for 35 years, I'd like to see it broken.

Take us through a typical day...

Early morning cross training with Mike. Then off to work for 8 - 9 hours, followed by a pool swim workout. Go home, eat, sleep and start all over again. On weekends I try to get to open water for some practices.

You mention in your Bio that working with a new coach has made a big difference - what approaches has he taken?

I can't really say what's different in the workouts but the way he programs his workout cycle has definitely improved my fitness level.

Did you compete in any pool events this year?

I had made the decision to not compete this year, however, with Nationals being at our pool I didn't have an excuse not to. So I swam both the 1500m & 800m free and won both in my age group.

What would you say are the key differences in training as a Masters athlete compared to swimming as a National Team member?

Unfortunately because I was in school in Switzerland in 1968-69 I never had the opportunity to train as a national team member. However, I remember at 16 that my whole life revolved around swimming morning, noon and night. As a master, I find for me that I'm still competitive but it's not my main focus. The level of training intensity is up to me and not the coach. It's also a good social environment - good friends, good food, good wine ☺.

How are you preparing for the crossing this time compared to 3 years ago? What do you think your biggest challenge will be?

I've upped the level of intensity of both my water & land training. I'm much more focused and mentally prepared this year. I would have said my biggest challenge would have been the night swimming but with the summer we've had so far, the biggest challenge, not just for me but for every swimmer attempting, will be the water temperature. It is still only 56 - 58 degrees in Toronto and it's not that much warmer on the Niagara side.

Is the Irish superstition alive and well?

Always!!

What were some of the lessons you learned from the 2006 swim that you'll keep in mind for this one?

To believe in myself and realize that I am much stronger than I give myself credit for.

What do you think about on a long swim?

Problem solving. Seriously - you have so much time to solve your problems not to mention the world's issues. You have time to come up with hundreds of ways to resolve everything. Of course they are all forgotten when you touch the wall at Marilyn Bell Park!!

What does setting a record mean to you?

Proving to myself that age is just a number and, "You can if you think you can.".

What motivates you?

I have to have goals. And as my director at Camp Ak-O-Mak always told me, "Nothing easy is worth doing.". So, I set the challenge - make the decision & stick to it.

What advice would you give to someone considering open-water long-distance swimming?

Be prepared both mentally & physically. YOU have to want it!! Although you are swimming distance, sprint workouts and kick sets are all part of the training process. Train in the same body of water that you're attempting. Swimming 10 miles in a calm, warm lake is not proof that you can swim 10 miles in a cold, wavy Great Lake. Waves slow you down; cold water will stop you.

You continue to support "Right to Play". What is it about this organization that speaks to you as a Masters athlete?

Clara Hughes inspired me at the 2006 Olympics with her commitment to Right To Play. I had never heard of it and was looking for a charity for my swim. I researched it and found that it's supported by elite athletes worldwide. It's a great cause and so important that all children have the right to play. The organization is also very supportive of what I am doing.

To donate to Right to Play, go to:

http://www.righttoplay.com/goto/colleen

What is your personal philosophy or credo?

Action your dreams - go for it!!!

Who inspires you?

More than just one person - my late parents, my friends, me!!