Cabrito. Of course, I'm probably saying it wrong, but I learned this past weekend that if you go to Monterrey, you'd better plan a trip to have cabrito.

As much as we'd all love to have a coach with us every time we go to the pool, that's just not going to happen. So how can you improve your stroke on your own?

I was talking with my Mom this week about an experience that she had during a recent music lesson. A couple of young boys were playing their musical instruments for her. As she listened, she could tell how hard they were working, but they were simply playing the right notes.

Although this article will deal with the dilemma of moving up in age groups for younger swimmers, some of the feelings and sensations will be experienced at any age. If your ambition is to become better than you are right now, then you must ultimately challenge yourself by racing people who are faster than you are.

This past week I had to obtain new software for some projects we're working on (don't worry, it was cheap). As a bonus, I got a one-year membership to a clip-art company, from whom I can download clip art for just about any use.

On Tuesday, February 3, I joined 116 other athletes to tackle one of road-racing's oddest challenges, the Fleet Empire State Building Run-Up. The race is 27 years old; this was my 15th straight year as a competitor.

When I moved to Maryland, I made friends with a neighbor who is a little bit crazy. When he found out I was a swimmer, he started trying to sell me on jumping in the Chesapeake Bay in January.

This week marks the end of the fall "semester" of swim classes that I teach at a community pool in Lebanon, NH. At the end of each semester I have to fill out a bunch of evaluation forms, and this exercise always makes me realize that I learn far more from my students than I can ever hope to impart to THEM.

As I’ve met more and more people in the sport of swimming, I've learned that there are ALL KINDS of levels of understanding of – and commitment to -- the sport. Some are interested in teaching philosophies, some seek to understand the technical aspects, and still others want to learn more about training, racing, and nutrition.

After a long deliberation with my coach, my parents, and Glenn, I have decided it would be in my best interest not to swim breaststroke at Olympic Trials.

Last weekend I traveled to Piscataway, NJ, to compete in the USMS Colonies Zone Short-Course Meters Championships. The meet was held at Rutgers University in a BEAUTIFUL indoor facility – a 50-meter bulkhead pool plus two warm-water warmup pools.

If you’re like most competitive swimmers, you spend hour after hour in the pool teaching your body to move in the most efficient ways, and training your muscles and cardio-vascular system to withstand increasing levels of work and fatigue. You invest all this time and effort because your goal is to swim faster when you race.

Last week, I wrote about kids choosing their lofty goals, and how hard the task is going to be to accomplish those goals. Since then, I've had a great opportunity to spend a little time each day coaching again. It just so happens I've had the opportunity to coach two young swimmers this week.

One of my coolest races ever was the 1983 NCAA Championships. What I remember, specifically, is standing behind the blocks, waiting for the introductions, and just feeling HAPPY.

A few years ago, I had the privilege of doing a weekend clinic at Auburn University, with some of the greatest swimmers in the world. While there, and while having so much fun, an old friend of mine took me aside, and said, "You know, Glenn, you'd make a GREAT assistant coach."