I'm been swimming since I was 19. I've competed in local, regional, and national masters meets since 1989. This past season I've noticed that I've really lost my desire to swim. Part of this may have been caused by not being able to afford the trip to Nationals this year in Hawaii. And last year I experienced much of these same feelings and my performance at Nationals (Santa Clara) was horrendous. Any suggestions on how I can get excited again?
Parents
Former Member
Michael,
I believe Masters Swimming is about having fun, and in order to have fun, you gotta have people around you, you enjoy. I probably would never have gotten back into swimming if it weren't for my brother and I telling each other, "I'll do it if you do".
Since joining our small club here in New Paltz (we have about 25 members), we (my brother and I) have pushed the social aspect as much as the competitive aspect of swimming. What started out as 2 or 3 of us meeting out at the local watering hole (not the swimming kind :) ) once a week after practice, has turned into 10 to 14. And coincidentally, we have the same numbers who now compete.
There is a folklore (more of a running joke) around our team, of how I got hammered every night at my first Nationals (1999), but still swam beyond my expectations. I don't know, I was there for a good time, and a good time was had. For all you folks out there shaking your heads in disgust, Hey! I had enough years of rice diets and 'healthy' carbo-loading in college.
BTW, thanks for mentioning the "price tag" this years Nationals in Hawaii has. Seems noone really wants to talk about it.
Joe
Michael,
I believe Masters Swimming is about having fun, and in order to have fun, you gotta have people around you, you enjoy. I probably would never have gotten back into swimming if it weren't for my brother and I telling each other, "I'll do it if you do".
Since joining our small club here in New Paltz (we have about 25 members), we (my brother and I) have pushed the social aspect as much as the competitive aspect of swimming. What started out as 2 or 3 of us meeting out at the local watering hole (not the swimming kind :) ) once a week after practice, has turned into 10 to 14. And coincidentally, we have the same numbers who now compete.
There is a folklore (more of a running joke) around our team, of how I got hammered every night at my first Nationals (1999), but still swam beyond my expectations. I don't know, I was there for a good time, and a good time was had. For all you folks out there shaking your heads in disgust, Hey! I had enough years of rice diets and 'healthy' carbo-loading in college.
BTW, thanks for mentioning the "price tag" this years Nationals in Hawaii has. Seems noone really wants to talk about it.
Joe
