Halloween Celebration: How Certain Races Fit As Classic Monsters
Halloween is a celebration of the supernatural. The classic Halloween monsters are seen in everything from movies to decorations. No matter what new monsters come around, these same ones offer a thrill. To honor our favorites, here are some swim races envisioned as classic monsters.
1. Frankenstein’s Monster
Not all green, but entirely stitched together, IM races are made up of different parts. Even though the parts may not be unique, putting them together creates a unique monster. Swimmers who confront the IM can create life from these stitched together parts, hopefully without evacuating the pool because of lightning.
2. Vampire
Just like (semi) immortal vampires, nothing lives longer than the distance races. Distance swimmers may not wear red velvet and capes, but they sure know how to show up in style. They are always the first ones in and the last ones out of practice. However, swimmers don’t have to consume blood in order to stay alive. Perhaps some red Gatorade will suffice.
3. Mummy
Waiting in the alternate chair for finals is a nerve-wracking experience. Most of the time, you are not called upon to race. Gathering dust in the chair, you wait, until at one moment you are let out of your tomb. Just like the mummy, adrenaline and excitement is able to bring you back to life in order to race, no ancient curse necessary.
4. Werewolf
Taper comes once in a blue moon, meaning tapered races come just as often. Tapered races feature athletes at their full power, strong and powerful, like werewolves under a full moon. Sharing excitement with teammates is one of the best parts of taper, much like the pack of wolves. However, swimmers are normally not as hairy when tapering.
5. Ghost
Like ghosts, scratched races are ones that you can see, but only transparently. They are indications of what the races could have been, but those that will never take complete form. Scratched races happen for a variety of reasons, not all of them spooky or ominous, but they always stick their heads through walls reminding you of what might have been.
6. Skeleton
Skeletons can be intimidating, even if they don’t have any meat on their bones. The image of a skeleton crawling out of a grave gives the same oxygen-deprived breathlessness and adrenaline burst as swimming a sprint 50. Sprint races, in particular 50s, are short. That doesn’t mean they aren’t impactful.
7. Zombie
There is always one race that we haven’t contested in a long time. The race that is buried and presumed dead, until one day, you open the heat sheet to see it listed there, limping forward on undead legs. Thankfully the racing keeps all of your brains intact.
8. Witch
Witches are powerful alone, but just like the Sanderson Sisters, they tend to travel and work best in covens. Relays are the same way, where each part is handled by a different swimmer. They have the same magic of witches working together to create a spell, hopefully without involving the eyes of toads.