University of Massachusets Athletics
Follow UMass Swimming In Puerto Rico
January 08, 2010 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Jan. 8, 2010
SAN JUAN, P.R. - Follow junior Dan Backler and the UMass men's swim team as they train in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Backler will be posting a new blog each day as the swim team gets ready for the final stretch of the season.
Day One
Checking in from Puerto Rico again as the UMASS Men's Swim Team is on our fifth day of training here. The weather the last 2 days has been less than ideal with rain and clouds, but the intensity in practice hasn't wavered one bit. On Tuesday we had our annual Three Kings practice. The team had a lot of fun with the coin flipping game of chance and still managed to get a great workout in. I am proud to say that not one group settled for the 100 as everyone gambled for the 50/200 option. The risk paid off for most except for Brian Schmidt's group who had to do four 200's. After the Three Kings practice we had the afternoon off and the team took it's annual trip to the abandoned beach 25 minutes from the hotel. The waves were huge and Russ made us "buddy up" for fear of leaving someone behind. Unfortunately after only 10 minutes in the water, the Police showed up and told Russ that swimming on this side of the island was prohibited due to the huge surf. We were all disappointed but went right to the hotel beach where the waves were just as fun for all of us. Wednesday we went back to work as the afternoon practice was a low interval set. Everyone on the team is working hard to improve and make the final push before taper in February. We have lactate workouts tonight and tomorrow morning and I am sure Russ will be expecting fast swims from all of us. I will check back in later this week.
Day Two
Dan Backler here from sunny Puerto Rico to update you on the happenings of the UMASS Men's Swim Team. We are all working hard as our second double practice starts in a few hours. Russ is reiterating how important this trip is to the end of our season thus keeping our mind focused on putting another number on the banner in Boyden. It was refreshing to see UMASS Swimming alum Stephen Jungbluth coaching his Colgate Raiders at the same training facility as us. I'll check back in later this week...Go UMass!
