My heart to swim competitively burned out when I was seventeen - though I swam another year (my senior year in high school). Then 33 years later I got back in the pool, and like many others, discovered that I had a renewed passion to compete. That seems in some ways strange to me, so I've been thinking about why I compete. I've reached the conclusion that I really wasn't done when I left the pool at eighteen - rather, I just needed a breather. (That was one huge oxygen debt!) I wonder if one day I'll be done competing, or if this passion is a lifelong one, like the passion for fitness and health that my swimming serves regardless of whether or not I compete.
Parents
Former Member
I compete because it is inspiring. And Motivating.
My heros are the 90 year olds who can get to a pool several times a week, change, jump in the pool and complete a workout. Get dressed and continue on with their day. AS they have done for decades and decades.
Plus survive a cardless meet. Travel to another country and compete.
My book I tote around to every meet (indoor and outdoor/open water) "Dangerous When Wet" has pages filled with signatures of these truly inspirational swimming heros!!
At the worlds in 2002 there were 4 men in the 90-94, an 85 year young lady from Spain did an 800, and 4 of the 7 80-85 year old ladies dived in from the blocks. 2 80 year old ladies and ?3 men did a 200 fly and a few did the 400IM.
I chauffered the Swedish team as they were amazing. An 83 year old man thought nothing of walking a good 25-30 minutes to the pool every day.
There were far too many other inspiring swimmers in ever age group, all pumped and ready to set another Personal Best to list. As there are in any meet, no matter what the level.
For me so much inspiration and motivation.
It is inspiring to look back at my progress over the years. From a complete novice, 17 years ago to this day.
My first meet was memorable. The water looked so blue. And Still. And those huge serious looking lane ropes were breath taking. The officials all dressed in white, and very business like, scared what breath I had left away. I fronted up for the 400. In a slow heat and I was 1/2 the age of most. Well I thought, Should be able to stick with these swimmers. Well, by 250 meters I was ready to puke, thought about getting out, but thought how embarrassing that would be. By now I had no idea how far I had gone, so kept swimming until I was fished out.
I came out with a new respect for all of my fellow swimmers.
I had so much to learn, yet this was exciting, so exciting.
To see the vast improvements I have made over the past 17 years, to reflect on the goals I reach each time I compete. To achieve what was almost unthinkable;actually breaking several records, even a National one. To conquer my undaunting fear of the open water, compete and set new and even more challenging goals.
If I didn't dream, how would I ever know just how high I could reach. If I didn't set goals how would I know how far I could go. Achieving those goals, be they small or large, is immeasurable.
I compete:
To discover determination, resilience, discipline, focus.
To discover confidence, strength and self pride.
To learn the value of challenging myself to reach those goals.
To be motivated and inspired by my fellow athletes.
To encourage, motivate and inspire others.
Kiwi
I compete because it is inspiring. And Motivating.
My heros are the 90 year olds who can get to a pool several times a week, change, jump in the pool and complete a workout. Get dressed and continue on with their day. AS they have done for decades and decades.
Plus survive a cardless meet. Travel to another country and compete.
My book I tote around to every meet (indoor and outdoor/open water) "Dangerous When Wet" has pages filled with signatures of these truly inspirational swimming heros!!
At the worlds in 2002 there were 4 men in the 90-94, an 85 year young lady from Spain did an 800, and 4 of the 7 80-85 year old ladies dived in from the blocks. 2 80 year old ladies and ?3 men did a 200 fly and a few did the 400IM.
I chauffered the Swedish team as they were amazing. An 83 year old man thought nothing of walking a good 25-30 minutes to the pool every day.
There were far too many other inspiring swimmers in ever age group, all pumped and ready to set another Personal Best to list. As there are in any meet, no matter what the level.
For me so much inspiration and motivation.
It is inspiring to look back at my progress over the years. From a complete novice, 17 years ago to this day.
My first meet was memorable. The water looked so blue. And Still. And those huge serious looking lane ropes were breath taking. The officials all dressed in white, and very business like, scared what breath I had left away. I fronted up for the 400. In a slow heat and I was 1/2 the age of most. Well I thought, Should be able to stick with these swimmers. Well, by 250 meters I was ready to puke, thought about getting out, but thought how embarrassing that would be. By now I had no idea how far I had gone, so kept swimming until I was fished out.
I came out with a new respect for all of my fellow swimmers.
I had so much to learn, yet this was exciting, so exciting.
To see the vast improvements I have made over the past 17 years, to reflect on the goals I reach each time I compete. To achieve what was almost unthinkable;actually breaking several records, even a National one. To conquer my undaunting fear of the open water, compete and set new and even more challenging goals.
If I didn't dream, how would I ever know just how high I could reach. If I didn't set goals how would I know how far I could go. Achieving those goals, be they small or large, is immeasurable.
I compete:
To discover determination, resilience, discipline, focus.
To discover confidence, strength and self pride.
To learn the value of challenging myself to reach those goals.
To be motivated and inspired by my fellow athletes.
To encourage, motivate and inspire others.
Kiwi
