By Emily Sampl<\/p>\n
BOULDER, Colorado, December 12. WAKING up at 5 a.m. to go to practice is one of the least appealing aspects of competitive swimming. But for 62 year-old Carolyn Boak, a member of Woodlands Masters, it has become a necessary and bearable part of her daily routine. <\/p>\n
"I'm definitely a morning person," she said. "I have to be at work before 7, so I need to get up early and swim before work so I can spend time with my children and grandchildren when I get home."<\/p>\n
Boak is employed as a full-time nurse in California, but she also lives in Texas part of the time. She still manages to train four or six days a week depending on her location, and although she swims alone a majority of the time, Boak prefers training over competing. <\/p>\n
"I feel good when I work out; I get endorphins, and I just feel really fit," she explained. "The competition part isn't as important to me as working out. I'm a very competitive person, but that's not what motivates me."<\/p>\n
Competing might not be Boak's top priority, but she has posted some quick times. In the recent USMS Top 10 rankings for short course yards, Boak is ranked first in her age group in every event except the 1000 and 1650 free, 100 and 200 back, and 100 and 200 breast. Her versatility is likely a result of the fact that she enjoys training IM. <\/p>\n
"I like to train IM because it works a lot of different muscle groups and it's more interesting, especially when I'm swimming by myself," she said. <\/p>\n
Besides training, Boak loves the team atmosphere and social aspects of Masters swimming. And for someone who frequently swims alone, it's easy to see how teammates could provide that extra spark.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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