Swimming Threatened at Hamilton Creek

If you are a triathlete in the Nashville area you have most likely swam at Hamilton Creek Marina of J Percy Priest Lake. I have lived here three years and have swam at this location dozens of times since arriving in this great community. Swimmers meet up Friday night to train open water. It is great.


Photo: Vanderbilt Triathlon Club during Fall Boot Camp, Sept 2008.

For the three years that I have swam here, and I don't know how long before this time, swimmers have peacefully co-existed with sailboats, rowers, and other users of this area. Lately there has been a movement among some stakeholders to ban swimming at this location.


Photo: The nice thing about Hamilton Creek is that novices can swim in shallow water that they can stand up in.

As the plan currently exists, the next time you attend this location there will be signs that say "NO SWIMMING." However, we have the opportunity to take action on this issues. A supportive campaign of e-mails have the potential to sway opinion of those who determine policies for this area.


Photo: Open water swimming is great exercise, and a wonderful way to enjoy the natural area of Percy Priest Lake. It is only recommended for experienced swimmers, confident in your swimming abilities, brightly colored caps, and in the presence with others.

These are the individuals you should contact via e-mail if you wish to voice your support in favor of allowing open water swimming at Hamilton Creek Marina.

Board of Parks and Recreation (Click on the name for e-mail address.)

• Mr. Stan Fossick, Chairperson
  Mid-South Wire Co.
  1070 Visco Drive
  Nashville, TN 37210
  H: 373-2153 O: 743-2890 C:351-6867
  (term expiration-April 30, 2010)
• Ms. Ivanetta Davis Samuels, Vice-chairperson
  929 Russell Street
  Nashville, TN 37206
  H: 258-3575 O: 327-6419
  (term expiration – April 30, 2013)
• Justice Adolpho A. Birch, Jr.
  401 Bowling Avenue, #78
  Nashville, TN 37205
  H: 269-7701
  (term expiration-March 30, 2011)
• Mr. James Lawson
  3969 Lloyd Road
  Whites Creek, TN 37189
  O: 936-6070 H: 876-3988 C: 429-5809
  (term expiration-April 30, 2012)
• Mr. George Anderson
  2220 Woodmont Boulevard
  Nashville, TN 37215
  C: 300-5234
  (term expiration-April 30, 2014)
• Ms. Karen Johnson (Appointee from the School Board)
  P.O. Box 17131
  Nashville, TN 37217
  H: 367-3010 W: 532.6251 C: 977-6721
  annual appointment
• Ms. Tonya Jones (Appointee from Planning Commission)
  Mark IV Enterprises, Inc.
  209 10th Avenue South, Suite 411
  Nashville, TN 37203
  O: 259-1688
  annual appointment (May 24,2008)

Run Training Group (FREE)

Monday nights at 6pm in Nashville is the run group to end all run groups. At least it is well on the way.....

Sign up here.


Photo: What do they run for....?


Photo: This night we previewed the Fourth of July 5K/10K course. Did you know the race in Nashville was run at the exact time as a run in Afghanstan for our troops? Photos of both races here.


Photo: I hate to admit it. We are a good-looking running club.


Photo: ....and fast, too.


Photo: Run training group, free to anyone, is the brain child of Emmit Martin (I Run For The Party) and Stephen Taylor (STtrainer.)

Urban Fitness Training

One of my triathlon clients asked for a super-intense strength training program he could do with some friends while he took some time off from triathlon. I love this kind of training because it works your explosive and functional strength to the max. If you want to see big results this is the kind of program to do, and I can design one for you. Just remember that you must have a good strength and endurance base first.


Photo: Start of workout w/ 10 minute easy cardio.


Video: Short hill sprints (max effort) followed by 10 burpie push-ups. The idea is to do very hard explosive moves in a super-set manner.




Video: Box jumps using a park bench.



Photo: These guys use 50-pound sandbags for their weights.


Photo: Core strength on the sandbags.