Paul Boisvert (right), who medalled eight times in the 1st World Outgames in Montreal with Mark Tewksbury, Olympic champion in the 100m backstroke (Barcelona 1992) and gold medalist in the same event in the Outgames. Photo by Bernard Charron

Quebec City – Although Paul Boisvert already tracked his mileage, the Million Metre Challenge lets him know who the “other crazy guys in Canada are. That pushes me to go a little bit further.” Sometimes he tries to swim 100 kilometres in a month, which he would not have done without the Million Metre Challenge.

Boisvert, 44, of Montréal À Contre-Courant (MACC), broke five provincial records (two individual and three relays) and won eight medals at the 1st World Outgames in Montreal in August.

The exercise physiologist-kinesiologist (PhD) has also topped the lofty million-metre milestone and, as with many masters, he is aging like the fine wine he enjoys. In 1994, he was swimming three times a week, about 3000 metres a session. Now he swims five times a week, logging 4000 metres – sometimes more - per workout.

When he’s not in the pool, Boisvert promotes the joys and benefits of healthy eating and regular physical activity.

Often called upon to comment in the media on the prevalence of obesity in society, he works to change the eating environment in secondary schools. His healthy food lifestyle project is progressively eliminating junk food in De Rochebelle, Quebec City’s largest secondary school with 1,200 students.

To make the school a model for healthy eating, they switched the vending machines and cafeteria food, setting up a salad bar. In November, a sandwich bar with meats, fancy breads and vegetables, was opened. “We expect it will be a tremendous success. We will compete with what the chains offer around the school. The key is to introduce small steps.”

Working with a team of nutritionists at Université Laval, Boisvert has also written the health policy for the school, which includes nutrition and physical activity guidelines. These guidelines now serve as a model for the Quebec City school board.

His work with food extends into his personal life, too. He enjoys cooking and eating but feels a moral obligation towards fitness.

“My life and my work are similar. I practice what I preach. Sure, I have sort of a pressure for my work. I can’t be overweight. If I didn’t train I would become unfit. I gain weight easily.” He cannot quit swimming because he would struggle with low morale and energy levels.

Boisvert swam as a child in Shawinigan until he was 19, competing in Eastern Cup and other provincial events. At the 1981 Quebec championships he was eighth in the 1,500-metre freestyle with a regional record time of 17 minutes, 1 second.

He stopped swimming competitively while he studied at the Université de Montréal. “I had had enough.” Although he swam three times a week on his own, his studies in engineering and exercise sciences were demanding; he was focused on his career. He was also traveling in Japan and Europe as a post doctoral trainee.

He returned to competition at age 32 after learning about MACC, a gay Masters team in Montréal. “I felt that I needed some more challenges and support than swimming by myself.

“Masters was the key for discipline and for the social aspect. I could share not only swimming but also friendship. It was perfect combination for me.”

MACC swimmers share a strong sense of community. They regularly head out to dinner every Saturday night after training, he says.

In 1998, he moved to Quebec City and began swimming during lunch hours at the Université Laval sports center, one floor below his office. He joined a small group composed now mainly of men in his age group, 40 and over. Interestingly, he finds this one of the strongest and fastest lanes in Canada, featuring 19 provincial record holders among group members.

“I’m the weakest swimmer in the lane. It’s bad for my self esteem because I feel I have a weakness. I have a pressure to train really hard just to be accepted in that select lane.”

He also feels he has to set a good example because in his work he promotes the ideal of healthy living. “My motivation is to stay lean, control my weight and enjoy eating.”

Boisvert’s motivation seems negative but it comes from the need to feel good and to be physically active. “Competition is part of my personality. I need competition as a goal to train and be disciplined.”

Paul's approach to staying motivated:

• The Million Metre Challenge keeps me focused all year. My goal is to swim 20 kilometres in one week.
• Setting goals. I am anxious to change age category in January 2007. There are 7 provincial records I may attempt to break!
• Using the pace clock during training.
• Planning my year of competition (compete once a month, so at the end of the year I have swum all 18 strokes) and preparing for that.
• Making my swimming a priority in my daily schedule.

Photo by Loren Dolman	Quick Facts:
	Family status:	Unmarried but sharing house and life with a man.
	Number of years swimming:	12 years Masters (since 1994) in my second “life”.
	Favourite Stroke:	200 metre backstroke (provincial record holder, 2004-2005) and 800 and 1,500- metre freestyle events (currently provincial record men’s 40-44 long course).
	Least Favourite stroke/event:	Butterfly and breaststroke. I cannot learn how to swim these strokes properly.
	Top reasons to love masters swimming:	1. Fitness and weight control: I can eat what ever I want, almost! 2. Competitions and setting goals, working for them and reaching them. 3. Sharing sports interests and training with other swimmers.
	Other favourite sports:	Alpine Skiing, golf (for the walk in nature), and kayaking.
	Fave after sport food or drink:	Leg of Lamb, veal scallop, breakfasts.
	Current reading:	Magazines and reports on food industry (Fast Food Nation).
	Song or music playing in your head during workouts:	I do not play music in my head during workouts; I need to concentrate. Savage Garden before an important race.