From September to March – we focus on swimming. However, when the USAT National Team Competition (December to February) begins , FAST members rev-up cross training mileage in with their pool laps.
FAST organizes swim practice sessions throughout the year, always well attended by expert and novice swimmers alike. On Saturdays, swim practices are held at Schoolcraft College at 7:00 am (fall through spring). Workouts range from 2500 yards for beginners, to over 4000 yards for veterans during the 90 minute swim. After the workout most members travel to a local restaurant for refueling and small talk. During the week, FAST members swim at various locations (insert link to pool group leaders) such as the Livonia YMCA, Farmington YMCA, Livonia Rec. Center, Lifetime Fitness, and more.
FAST swimmers can compete at local Masters swim meets as well (www.michiganmasters.com). A State Swim Meet is held each year, usually the end of March or early April. Members need to join United States Masters Swimming (http://www.usms.org/reg/), to compete (~$35). FAST won the Large Team State Championship in 2009 at Lake Orion High School.
Once members post qualifying time standards, they are eligible to attend a short course national championship, typically in May, which rotates around the country.
During the summer months, FAST members enjoy open water swims at Trout Lake in the Island Lake State Park area. Members swim anywhere from 2 to 10 lengths of the 0.8 mile distance across the sparkling water. After a refreshing swim, swimmers often mount their bikes for a few loops of the Park, head out on a run or go for breakfast. FAST members have competed in several open water swim events such as the USMS 5k/10k pool postal swims, July's Motor City Mile, July's Howell Aquathon, and August's Harbor Springs Coastal Crawl (10k or 1, 2, or 3 mi open water swim) in Little Traverse Bay. In addition, the 2009 Long Course National Championship will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana, from August 6-10 (www.michiganmasters.com).