GOLD MEDAL MEL

Tyler Clary's 400 IM: The Greatest Swim at NCAAs

Want to know why USA Swimming's men are so damn good? Want to know why they dominate the globe?

They train. Hard. Period.

World-class swimmers clearly have talent, but talent alone won't carry you through 400 meters (or yards) of every single stroke. You have to work at it. You have to suffer. In the 400 Individual Medley, the brutally painful decathlon of swimming, you can't ever ease up and glide or float. 

I've always had a special appreciation for athletes who choose to swim the 400 IM, from Jeff Kostoff to Dave Wharton and Tom Dolan. I trained (at USA Swimming training camps) with these guys (the best during my time) and they made my jaw hang open. They killed themselves in practice, always going head to head with the best in all strokes.

In practice, people work hard at different times. I, for example, would sand-bag the breaststroke. I couldn't do it. I sucked. Breaststroke was my mini vacation within our 3-4 hour training sessions. 

Right now, in the age of Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps who both dipped under the 400 IM world record in 2008, I think people take this feat for granted. "Ok, here's another medal opportunity, another race. Sure, it's a hard race, but one the athletes are genetically geared to..." 

No, no, no. The 400 IM kills you. It works, and exhausts completely, every single muscle group. That Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte could come back and be competitive after such a torturous performance, speaks volumes about their years and years of conditioning and balls-to-the-wall work ethic. 

If you had told me that this event, this gorgeous demonstration of brute strength, would have yet another star from the USA Swimming Team, I would've said: "I highly doubt it, but go ahead, you can dream." 

Enter Tyler Clary, the sophomore from the University of Michigan. His 3.35.98 record at the NCAA Championships proves that I am happily wrong once again. Tyler Clary is USA Swimming's new hardass! This guy's our next generation of pure mean!

Everyone's talking about all the great swims from NCAAs. "Oh, did you see so-and-so's 50 split in the 200 Medley Relay? Or the 100 Fly? Or the 100 Breaststroke?"

Yes I did. And I am enormously inspired and impressed--

But none of those races holds a candle to Tyler Clary's 400 IM win, his 3.35.98. 

***I had the honor of interviewing Tyler Clary at Short Course Nationals, December of 2008. He had just finished his 400 IM in a personal best swim. Check him out in this GMM debut vid: 

Congratulations to Tyler's coach, Mike Bottom. The 1980 Olympian is a part of our swimming legacy, and now, unquestionably, ranked among our all-time greatest coaches. Bottom, famous for creating speed in swimmers, has shown that he can guide any athlete to success in any event. 

If you haven't seen my new web talk show, GOLD MEDAL MINUTE, check them out here: 

3-time Olympic Medalist, Megan Jendrick

6-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Amy Van Dyken

Ultraman, Rich Roll

2008 Olympic Gold Medalist, Garrett Weber-Gale

Women: Swimming's Greatest Asset!

I can't help but get caught up in men's swimming.  I'm a man. I identify with them. And with Michael Phelps, Aaron Peirsol, and Ryan Lochte still in the game, everyone else seems to get pushed aside, especially our female athletes.  

I think it's always been lopsided that way. In 1972 it was all about Spitz: in '76, John Naber; in '84, Rowdy Gains; and in '88, Matt Biondi. 

1992 was different. A girl by the name of Summer Sanders came on the scene. She had a sunny disposition and all the charm of a network sports anchor. (Summer, of course, went on to be the female co-host of INSIDE THE NBA), but during the 1992 Olympics, I have to confess: Matt Biondi still got more media attention. 

I think we, the swimming community, honor our men more than our women. I could be wrong. (After a long audit of my video content, I know I certainly do.) If I'm wrong, please correct me. I know there are notable exceptions, like Janet Evans, who is a darling in aquatic circles. But, overall, historically, don't we see more marketing on the masculine side of swimming?

I think our future is feminine! Our sport has gone pro. There's no debating it. Sure we're still in our infancy in the pro world, but the entire female athletic market is under-represented (no football, baseball, or hockey), and we have a sport that can honor women equally with men.  

Tennis is the best example. The world loves female tennis stars. I think that's our model. If you have better examples, please share them--arm me so I can make a better argument.

I made a vow to honor women more this year. (I did a poor job in 2008.) If you have any advice or helpful hints, please pass them along. I think wisdom can came from anywhere, especially odd and unusual places.  

Dara Torres could have been a huge global star after Beijing. Perhaps she is...but It's tough to tell while Michael Phelps still creates such an enormous media eclipse. 

Natalie Coughlin certainly deserves more love and respect. I don't think anyone can argue against that statement. 

One exception came in 1996. Amy Van Dyken won 4 gold medals. At the time, that was most of any female athlete in US Olympic history, and she got fantastic media attention! I was lucky enough to interview Amy and talk to her about what she's doing presently. Check her out in this the GOLD MEDAL MINUTE exclusive.

Click here for GOLD MEDAL MINUTE: Garret Weber-Gale.

Click here for GOLD MEDAL MINUTE: Rich Roll. 

Vegan vs. Bar-B-Que & The Salt Lick Diet

My title isn't fair, at least not at first glance. Vegan food verses the Salt Lick, the world famous bar-b-que restuarant in middle Texas, doesn't seem like much of a match. While both turned to be a nice surprise, both were equally satisfying in their own ways.

I love meat! I do. I must get that clear right now. I can eat rib-eye for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a snack in between, and I always get it rare. Other cuts of a cow are satisfying to me. Bar-b-que always works, because it's salty and sweet. But rib-eye is it, especially when it's wagyu beef.  

Last week, at the Austin Grand Prix, I had several meals in honor of two friends who I would call foodies. Garrett Weber-Gale, '08 Olympic gold medalist, is a health food advocate, and Rich Roll, Ultraman super-endurance athlete, is a vegan. 

Neither Garrett nor Rich are arrogant about their lifestyles. Both are open and friendly, quick to share their diet experience. 

Garrett's all about enjoying good food that's nutritious. He got turned onto healthy foods out of necessity. While training at the world-class level in swimming, he learned he had extremely high blood-pressure. If you want to learn more about him, check out his blog here.

Rich is more like me, a former swimmer who gained too much weight. Rich swam at Stanford back in the day, and then went on to a successful career as an attorney in entertainment. Rich reached the age of 40, thirty-five pounds overweight. Unhappy with his situation, he made some radical changes. To learn more about him, visit his blog, jai ultra, here.

In Austin, I ate a meal in honor of Garrett, though I chose the entertaining and delicious way out. Garrett says you can't be perfect all the time, so I went to a place where I could experience what he'd call a diet cheat.  I also went with my wife, Tif. Checkout our trip to the world famous Salt Lick:

Garrett wouldn't approve of the meal above all the time, but I agree with him about having cheats in your diet.

In honor of Rich (and of Garrett too), in Austin we also ate 5 different meals at their incredibly nice Whole Foods. I got hung on up on the raw food section, which was vegan as well. I told myself I'd give it a try for my good health. I was convinced I'd have to eat something real and meaty within two hours of that first raw dinner..... I WAS ABSOLUTELY WRONG!  I was completely satisfied and full until late the next morning.

I think I got energy dense nutrittion for the first time in years. For the record, I ate a cool carrot soup that was delicious, and a nut burger (sounds gross and bland, but it was damn good too), and marinated veteagbles, followed by a big slice of cheesecake (all natural, no dairy). 

I ate a varitation of the raw dinner listed above 3 more times. I was sold on the flavors alone and sustained energy I got. Based on the experience, I'm buying Rip Esselstyn's book, ENGINE 2 DIET. Rich turned me on to him and his story a few months back. Little did I know that Rip and I went to, and swam at the same high school. Here's the book cover if you're curious:

 

These guys above inspire me. I can't say I'm going vegan or as health food conscious as Garrett. I do think it would be wise, but I'm not that disciplined yet.

If you haven't seen my GOLD MEDAL MINUTE interview with Rich Roll, check it out here: 

GOLD MEDAL MEL GOSSIP: The Austin Grand Prix

Austin is a great town, one point six million people with a slogan promising to keep the city weird. These are my kind of citizens!

The Austin Grand Prix, however, wasn't weird at all. It was very, very low-key. I don't know why, not with hometown hero, Eric Shanteau, popping off a 1.00 in the 100m breaststroke and a sub 2.10 in the 200m distance.  

I hate drawing parallels--they're not fair to athletes--but I must in the case of Shanteau. After his battle with testicular cancer, much like that of Lance Armstrong, I can't help but wonder if Shanteau is now on a similar path to glory. 

At the Missouri Grand Prix, Shanteau was tired and broken-down. In his races he wore a regular little training suit for crying out loud. He won the 100 and 200 breaststroke with ease.  Weeks later in Austin, he was apparently semi-rested. Shanteau hadn't dropped yardage in training, but he had dropped his weight-lifting regiment for a few weeks.... Ok fine. That'll make a swimmer a little fresh for a race, but it is by no means anything near a full taper. 

Now forget all of that. Forget the times and Shanteau's seasonal training progression. Let's consider his mind:

The guy must feel like he's swimming with a new lease on life, like he's got nothing to lose, like he's been unshackled, emotionally. I, of course, don't know. But I did watch Shanteau closely on deck, and compared to the 2008 season he seems very different. 

In '08, Shanteau appeared a little guarded to me. He was polite, and, how can I explain this...very aware of his surroundings.  His event, breaststroke, was crowded with stars, and he was on the periphery, inching his way up in the global standings. 

Not anymore.

Now, in '09, Shanteau seems different, more focused--like a man on a mission. He's got an energy about him that's a little intimidating. '09 Worlds will be here before we know it, and I'm going out on a limb and saying Shanteau's in a position to create an upset.  Kitajima needs to look out!

 

In Austin, PVK (Peter Vanderkaay) had an incredible meet. He swim a 3:45 in the 400m free, and was on American Record pace for 250 meters of those 400 meters. His 200 was fast as well. 1.46 in season is nothing to sneeze at. 

The last time I saw PVK was with LaBi (the USA Swimming Foundation Chief). We were in Arizona on a corporate retreat. PVK was a good boy that weekend. He made all of his practices and didn't go out for any play-time recreation. That's not easy when you're among swimmer friends. PVK's focused this season. He's got some serious discipline! 

PVK not only worked through that fun weekend, he also made time for his fans. Watch this video with his agent, David Arluck and you'll see what I mean:  

ON THE ROAD: PVK & his agent David Arluck from Mel Stewart on Vimeo.

In Austin I caught up with Adam Ritter as well. I'm a longtime fan of his. Adam's a great all around swimmer from Arizona, swimming under Frank Busch. Check him out here.

Bob Bowman was also in Austin. I asked him how he has remained motivated after such a spectacular 2008 year. Check him out here.

Garrett Weber-Gale was tired in Austin. There's no doubt about that. He trains so hard, his best races are at the end of the season. I'm a fan of Garrett's because of his discipline. Check Garrett out here if you don't know him.

On Facebook, The USA Swimming Foundation Cause Page is growing like crazy. We became a tribe, crossing 2,500 members, in less than 7 weeks. Thank you to everyone who has joined the cause. We really appreciated it. 

We're still offering the USA Swimming Foundation towel as our thank you to anyone who donates $100. Thank you to those who have donated already!!!

Austin Grand Prix: Behind The Scenes

I expected to experience excitement and electricity here in Austin at the Grand Prix. While all the excitement is down on 6th street, at the University of Texas pool it felt more like a very competitive intramural swim meet. 

EMOTIONAL SUBTEXT OF THE SWIMMERS ON DECK: Ok, were here, in Texas, at one of the main pillars of wold-class swimming. The crowd's a little thin, but that's not a bad thing. We can cheer for those who are a little rested and swimming fast--but not too much, not while many of our peers are tired and beaten up right now in the middle of the season.  

Katie Hoff won the 400m free, running away with it, swimming smooth and seemingly easy.

PVK swam under American Record pace for 250 meters of the 400m, finishing with an insanely fast a 3:45!

Mazy DeScenza continued her run, winning the 100m fly. (She's got the $20,000 Grand Prix purse locked up!)

Whitney Myers, the happiest swimmer in swimming, won the women's 200m IM. (I love Whitney's enthusiasm.)

Yannick Lebherz from Germany, broke the 200 IM German record. Eric Shanteau didn't even make the final, but in the banana heat he went a 1:59 for a faster swim. My jaw hung open impressed, while Shanteau glanced at me with a shrug like it was no big deal... 

In the 50m free, Dara Torres popped off a sub 25 seconds, and Fred Bousquet broke the US Open Record. 

While working for SWIMNETWORK, I got Dara and Fred on camera behind the scenes. Check Dara out here, and Freddie here. And I got Ceasar Cielo on camera as well after his silver in the 50 free. Check out the 2008 Olympic gold medalist in the 50m free here.

For anyone who missed my new talk show, GOLD MEDAL MINUTE, check that out here. My first one's with Garrett Weber-Gale, Mr. Foodie himself. I didn't get a chance to talk to him after his swim in the 50m free. He didn't look very happy. He swam fast, a low 22 seconds, but I think he wanted to go faster.... I'm not surprised. Garrett trains harder than any sprinter I've ever seen. Garrett's best race is always at the end of the season...

The Austin Grand Prix: Ryan Lochte

A confession: I don't even know if Ryan Lochte's going the Austin Prix, or if Katie Hoff is. I know Michael Phelps isn't and Dara Torres is. I've been too busy to glance at the psych sheet. I've also been nursing a sick daughter in-between working.

There's been a lot going on outside of the pool, lots of drama, though I'm not naming any names. You'd have to be dead not to know what rocked the swimming community back on Super Bowel Sunday. 

But I think the Austin Grand Prix is this year's tipping point, a time when swimming gets back to serious competition. 

Chris LaBianco (Chief of the USA Swimming Foundation) and I traveled to Tiburon last weekend. The Austin Grand Prix was on older swimmers minds while we attended a party for a former USA National Team member. The party was a birthday party for Bob Placak, founder of the famous RCP Tiburon Mile, one of the greatest open water races on the planet. Bob's full of life and always inspiring to see. He entertained Olympic gold medalists Klete Keller, Erik Vendt and me. He also took us all on a bit of history lesson about swimming. Check it out! It's worth seeing:

ON THE ROAD: Bob Placak from Mel Stewart on Vimeo.

Bob's what makes swimming feel so much like family. Through his RCP Tiburon Mile he has invited the best of the best into his home each year, as well as swimmers who simply swim recreationally.

The Grand Prix competitions feel like a family reunion every time too. I can't wait to see Dara Torres. She's at the epicenter of nearly all coaches and athletes. There probably won't be a face at the meet she wouldn't recognize.  

Garrett Weber-Gale is someone I've been watching closely.  I'm a fan of his blog, and his tips on eating healthy. Garrett looked tired at the last Grand Prix in Missouri. I know he's been in heavy training, and that he doesn't usually swim that close to his best times until the end of the season. Unlike many gold medalists from 2008 Olympics, Garrett got back in the water pretty quickly. For an in-depth look at Garrett, go to swimnetwork.com. My new talk show, GOLD MEDAL MINUTE, breaks it all down. 

Like I said, I don't know if Ryan Lochte or Katie Hoff are going to be in Austin. I think so, and hope so. They're exciting to see swim and fantastic interviews. I'll be covering the event for swimnetwork.com. And I'll be grabbing some quick interviews, aside from the serious stuff, just for fun. 

Check out these two videos with Lochte and Hoff. They were nice enough to say a kind word about the USA Swimming Foundation's towels, and they're fun to watch:

Essence of Ryan "Reezy" Lochte: The Foundation Towel from Mel Stewart on Vimeo.
Katie Hoff, "Support the USA Swimming Foundation" Cause Page from Mel Stewart on Vimeo.