Swimming fast enough to set a masters record is an incredible feat. How about six in six weeks?
American Kelly Palace completed an incredible six weeks where she set six Masters records in six different events in the 60-64 age group. On Nov. 5, she swam the 1650 freestyle record at the SwimRVA Commonwealth Cup USA Swimming Meet, clocking a 19:24.90 to break the old record by more than 12 seconds.
Then just five days later at another USA swim meet in Hampton, Va., at the Coast Guard Blue Dolphin Carl Warner Open on Nov. 10, Palace swam an 11:31.05 to demolish the former record by 10 seconds in the 1000 free.
Those were just the two latest records in a six pack.
On Oct. 1, Palace broke the 3000 SCY national record with a time of 36:27.63. A week later, it was the 500 free SCY record in 5:38.86. On Oct. 13, she broke the SCM national record in the 800 free (10:07.93) and finished October with a 1500 free SCM record of 19:27.09 on the 14th.
Kelly Palace competes for the Swim Melbourne Masters in Florida, but has been training in Richmond, Va., while helping family. She attributed her improvements to more intense training, more focus on stroke and turn technique and mindset training, according to a press release sent to Swimming World.
“It’s exciting to know that even after all the years of swimming that one can still improve stroke technique and your mental game, if you choose,” Kelly Palace said. “I’d still like to go after these same events in long course in 2024.”
Kelly Palace’s Six Pack:
-3000 SCY National Record, Oct. 1, 2023 (36:27.63)
-500 SCY National Record Oct. 8, 2023 (5:38.86)
-800 SCM National Record Oct. 13, 2023 (10:07.03)
-1500 SCM National Record Oct. 14th (19:27.09)
-1650 SCY National Record Nov. 5, 2023 (19:24.90)
-1000 SCY National Record Nov. 10, 2023 (10:31.05)
Way to go, Kelly!!
So proud of you Kelly! You inspire me! Great job and congrats!