In this week's People magazine (not my copy, of course) Mark Spitz is quoted as saying: "Eighty percent of Masters do compete. I'm in the 20 percent who don't. Been there. Done that."
Actually I thought 80 percent of Masters don't compete. The obvious question is why the remaining 20 percent do. I do it to challenge myself (and at the same time fight the aging process) and as a way to stay motivated to work out consistently. It's too easy to talk yourself out of exercising.
My best motivation is how I feel when I'm done with a workout. I'm relaxed, feeling like I accomplished something and better equipped to face the rest of the day. I usually swim in the morning when I'm barely conscience. Other than his talent and ability, Spitz is just like the rest of us, busy living his life. I think it's great that he makes the appearances he does.
I swam through high school and college and was an All American throughout college. Now when I compete it is in open water events and off events in a swim meet forum. I was a sprinter and if I don't PR in those events I donn't see the point in that. Training for other events however gives me a new challenges and I don't get hung up on times as much.
