Check out this book review from the Sunday NY Times on “Off The Deep End: The Probably Insane Idea That I Could Swim My Way Through A Mid-Life Crisis — and Qualify for the Olympics”.
W. Hodding Carter, a 45 yr old former Div III Champion in the 50 freestyle at Kenyon College just published a book about his seemingly insane mid-life crisis motivated attempt to get back in the pool to qualify for the Olympics.
In another review he quips “I probably won’t make the team”, leaving the reader to believe he was at least in the hunt. Well I just checked the Omega Timing heat sheets from the Olympic Trials 50 freestyle, and well unfortunately he didn’t even make it to the Trials — a fact he conveniently omits from his book tour opining. But I guess you gotta sell books.
That said — mid-life crisis or not — I still applaud the effort. It would be duplicitous not too! Plus my sister swam for Kenyon, so I give him more points. Hail to all of us 40+ athletes pushing the envelope of what was previously thought possible. Cheers to you, Hodding.
