VEGETARIAN ACTION
NORRIS FLUKE - AWARD WINNING MASTERS SWIMMER AND ENTHUSIASTIC PROMOTER OF VEGETARIANISM
Norris Fluke broke the world record in the 400 meter individual medley (short-course) for Masters swimming. The record was broken during the southern Masters swimming meet held in New Orleans, Louisiana, November 21-22, 1992. Norris won the six events he swam in at this meet and was awarded the high point trophy in the 75-79 age group.
At age 75, Norris swims an average of seven miles per week with the University of Maryland at Baltimore County Masters swim team or on his own. The group is just one of many throughout the United States. There are 30,000 American men and women between the ages of 25 and 90 that swim in Masters meets. Last year, Norris ranked in the national top-ten fastest swimmers in his age group in 17 individual events. In six of these events, he ranked first, giving him all-American status.
This past year, Norris added the nautilus circuit for cross-training to his exercise regimen two or three times per week. He's often asked by other swimmers if he's really a vegetarian. Norris informs them that he's found definite improvement and consistent performance in his swimming on a vegetarian diet. He finds it amusing to hear swimmers talk of carbohydrate-loading before the national meets by having a big pasta meal the night before competition. He feels that their lack of nutrition knowledge seems to be replaced by the hope that discipline will give them a winning edge.
According to Norris, it's not that easy! Swimmers lose a percentage of their speed each year as they age. Norris' secret is a combination of sensible training, the benefits of a vegetarian diet, and good coaching in aquatic skills. He never competed while in high school or college. He's entirely a product of the Masters swim program. Among his peers he is rated one of the "good swimmers." The top competitors in the business are often former Olympians with outstanding records and a wealth of experience which provides a very interesting challenge. In swimming, you get hooked and you just keep trying harder. Norris feels that vegetarianism is the critical element that can spell the difference between success and almost winning.
