» More: Bloomington couple love swimming — and each other

» Photo gallery: Joel & Nan Stager

Name: NAN STAGER

Age: 54

Profession: Senior Lecturer, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, IU-Bloomington.

Fitness regimen: I swim about 2,500 yards, five times per week.

Best part about being in a pool: To stretch out physically and relax mentally!

Two words you’d use to describe the swimming experience: Strong and graceful.

If you weren’t swimming, you would do what to stay in shape: Walking/hiking.

Most memorable swimming victory: Top 20 finishes in both the 50 meter and 100 meter backstroke events in the 2006 World Masters Championships.

Any defeats? Finishing 11th (just out of the medals) in a national meet by 1/10 of a second or less, and I’ve had a few of those!

One thing about masters swimming people should know: It’s open to any swimmer age 18 or over who wants to do a workout with a group instead of lap swim on his or her own.

Swimming mentor/idol: Dara Torres.

STAGER ON STAGER

Ways your husband provides inspiration or motivation: He thinks up interesting workouts for me to do.

Ways you provide inspiration and motivation to your wife/husband: I sign him up for swim meets and then tell him later!

Who’s more competitive in the pool: Joel is because he is at the elite level in masters swimming and I am definitely not! He has won at nationals and was ranked first in the world in 100 meter free in his age group a few years ago, so he has more internal pressure to continue to perform at a high level whereas my expectations are not as high.

Name: JOEL STAGER

Age: A young 56 years

Profession: Professor of Kinesiology and Director of the Counsilman Center at IU.

Fitness regimen: Swimming and a little wild guitar playing.

Best part about being in a pool: Moving meditation with positive side effects for well-being & quality of life.

Two words you’d use to describe the swimming experience: “Me time.”

If you weren’t swimming, you would do what to stay in shape: Walk, climb mountains or just putz around the garage.

Most memorable swimming victory: Personally? National Championship in Cleveland in the 50 and 100 freestyle at age 50 and N0. 1 in the world rankings. Otherwise, I would have to say I very much have enjoyed helping Counsilman Center swimmers and Bloomington High School swimmers excel over the last decade. We’ve had quite a number of fantastic swimmers here in Bloomington at both North and South. Seeing their successes in the pool and later in life have been very rewarding. Terrific group of swimmers and parents!

Any defeats: Many! But life moves on. It is said that “we learn from defeats”; if so then I am becoming a pretty smart guy.

One thing about masters swimming people should know: Everyone can participate ... there is a place for any swimmer regardless of ability. Be patient with yourself and remember the benefits outweigh the price. A little effort pays big dividends down the road. Need help? Ask. There are plenty of helpful people willing to suggest improvements.

Swimming mentor/idol: Several actually. James “Doc” Counsilman and Nathan Buffy. Doc was one of the most enjoyable, interesting, passionate, funny, energetic, imaginative, charismatic individuals you’d ever hope to meet. Never stood still and you never knew what was going to happen next. Loved Royer Pool. Loved the IU Outdoor Pool. Loved Bloomington. Loved Marge. Loved coaching and working with young people. Nathan is a local swimmer I met at BHS South who constantly reminded me, as did Doc, that life’s troubles can be viewed as “obstacles or challenges.” I try to remember that when faced with difficulties! Life is all about challenges.

STAGER ON STAGER:

Ways your wife provides inspiration or motivation: Nan is much more dedicated to her daily swim than I am. I actually fight being ‘habitual’ about anything ... even things that I know are good for me. She adds another dimension to my guilt over missing swim practices — guilt that I am usually immune to with others. She does very little complaining about practice (or me) and thus when I whine. Well, it sounds much louder and much worse because it is uttered in her vacuum. I don’t get much sympathy. She eats right, flosses and participates in annual health checkups. She sets an example that is good for me. I’m guessing she’ll be around to see man land on Saturn.

Ways you provide inspiration and motivation to your wife: I tell her she looks great in a Speedo even if she doesn’t always win the race. “You may not be the fastest, but you’re certainly the best looking!” And it works, because I am sincere! She really does look great in a swimsuit! Another great side effect of swim practice!

Who’s more competitive in the pool: Me. I hate to lose. It doesn’t matter if it is checkers, chess, or cards. I hate losing. Winning? Nice. But I can let those wins go pretty easily. Losing, however, is a much bigger deal. I can carry that around for years. Decades! Trying to figure out what I (or we) could have done differently to affect the outcome. A serious character flaw of mine! I can’t even let a 5-year-old beat me at cards! Not that they often don’t. Nan may be a better athlete at skill sports such as golf, tennis, bowling — and just about everything else which is part of the reason why I swim. She can’t beat me! But it isn’t all bad, as it tends to also be a motivator for me to work harder and or smarter. She keeps my head from swelling.