Masters Spotlight: Despite Life-Threatening Illness, Beth Eldridge Continues to Swim and Coach

By Emily Sampl

BOULDER, Colorado, November 4. A physical and emotional roller coaster: that's probably the best way to describe the past year or so for Beth Eldridge. What began as a successful national meet turned into a nightmare and has changed her life dramatically.

Prior to the 100-yard butterfly at the 2006 USMS Short Course Nationals in Coral Springs, Fla., Eldridge had been having the meet of her life. She had already picked up wins in the women's 35-39 age group in the 50 free and 50 fly, and was eyeing the triple. When she blacked out during the 100 fly and collapsed afterwards, Eldridge assumed she'd just given too much. After all, it wasn't that uncommon, and it could've been due to overtraining. She competed in all of her remaining races except the 100 free, but it became apparent that something might be wrong.

Over the next few months, Eldridge experienced vertigo and vision problems, and after seeing multiple doctors was misdiagnosed three times, first with a stroke, then with "athlete's heart," and finally with multiple sclerosis.

It wasn't until she suffered a seizure at Christmas Eve service that an MRI revealed lesions on her brain and a mass in her head. Eldridge began radiation treatments twice a day, five days a week to shrink the tumor. When the tumor became operable, she underwent brain surgery.

Despite her sudden and somewhat unexpected illness, Beth continued to swim and also coached the local high school girls' swim team. Although it was hard at times, she drew support from the team and other swimming friends.

"Sometimes it was hard coming to practice and walking up and down the deck when I was so sick," she said. "But I didn't want to let the girls down. They were so supportive and understanding."

Her unwavering commitment to coaching paid off when the girls won their conference meet by just seven points. Eldridge raced in a few meets this past summer, and won't let being sick get in the way of her goals.

"I'd like to break the national record in the 50 fly," she said. "But on the other hand, there's so much more to swimming than times and places. I just want to keep competing and enjoy the journey. I'm so thankful that I'm still able to swim."

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