Masters Spotlight: Rich Abrahams Rules the Pool in More Ways Than One

By Emily Sampl

BOULDER, Colorado, October 21. FEW swimmers would argue that swimming back and forth down that little black line for hours at a time can get pretty boring. And it's even worse with only a couple teammates to train alongside. Rich Abrahams, who competes for Colorado Masters Swimming, has become well accustomed to working out in this manner.

"Technically, I don't swim with a club. I usually swim alone or with three or four friends during the lap swim time," Abrahams explained.

Swimming alone or with only a couple others is difficult, but even more impressive is the fact that Abrahams actually writes the workouts.

"I make up the workouts, which can be hard. But it's also nice sometimes. On days where I'm more tired, I can just go easier!" he said.

Even with a few easy days sprinkled in, Abrahams seems to be doing a pretty decent job of challenging himself. According to the 2007 United States Masters Swimming (USMS) Top 10 for short course yards, Abrahams is ranked first in the men's 60-64 age group in the 50, 100 and 200 free, the 50 and 100 fly, and the 100 IM. In most cases, his nearest competitor is several seconds behind.

As the Recreation Administrator for the city of Aurora, Abrahams has little trouble fitting swimming into his work schedule; he swims at about two thirds of the pools he manages.

"I have chosen a career that enables me to swim more, which is great," he said.

In addition to swimming four or five times a week, Abrahams also enjoys various cross-training activities. Once a week, he runs up and down the benches at nearby Red Rocks Amphitheatre, no easy task in the thin air of the Rocky Mountains.

"I just love feeling really fit. Staying fit and healthy is always my number one goal," he stated.

As long as Rich Abrahams does this, he'll definitely be one to watch on the Masters swimming scene.

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