New here...

This is my first time checking out this website. I was prompted to look at it because I was wondering why I would want to shell out $30 for a membership. This came up because something that I was looking at participating in was $30 more if I wasn't a USMS member so I thought that was to cover the membership. Not certain, but I'd guess that's true. Anyway, I've added the website to my Bookmarks Toolbar on my Firefox browser along with the other swimming related links that I'm interested in now. Although I've been a pretty good swimmer all my life, I've never done it competitively although the local Y coach asked me to try out for his team after taking Red Cross LIfesaving from him. The two burgers I downed before the tryout pretty much doomed me for that one. So, why the sudden renewed interest in swimming again now? I'm 52 and am getting damned tired of finding that, the older I get, the more I suck at all the physical activities I used to do. I played in the Senior Olympics in basketball last summer and vowed that was the end of that. My ankle still hasn't recovered although it was from a pretty bad sprain that happened prior to the games but I couldn't rest it due to the games. My lower back flared up again recently and, with my elbow also aggravated, I wasn't able to go to the weight room or play racquetball like usual. We were also moving so I couldn't rest them... again. So, I've been swimming more! ... and enjoying it! I confess that, in part, reading a recent TI article prompted me into believing that I could swim pratically indefinitely with less of the decline in performance that seems to inevitibly happen in land-based sports. I think this whole "you're getting older so you need to slow down" stuff is malarkey! The slowing down and lack of activity is what kills ya! My kids remind me that "DENIAL is not just a river in Egypt" but I'm fighting it all the way. In fact, that was the name of our b-ball team last summer.:D We take vacations to Cozumel (all inclusives) pretty much every year (it's s cheap from Texas!) because we all love being in clear water, snorkeling and scuba diving. Although training in the pool everyday is fine because it's convenient, I'd like to get into open water swims... that was what I was going to sign up for when I ran across the USMS requirement. So, here's my plan. I want to continue to get more involved in swimming although I just built a lifting platform and bought my first bumper weights for home (too many pudgy swimmers to give up the weight training). I'll be visiting here regularly to learn more about open water swimming in particular... no tri's for me, however. I need to get more familiar with the lingo in order to converse adequately with the experienced swimmers here so please be patient. I'll also try not to stir up any TI debates... I AM older and I AM essentially a rookie so I guess it fits me (Matt et al). Thanks for reading this far!