I started swimming Masters as soon as I could at 25(this was before 19 and then 18 year olds could swim Masters-I'm 57 now.)
I gather this is not what most people do. Swimming was the only thing that allowed me to retain a veneer of sanity in college and med school so I was ecstatic at being with an organized group of swimmers at the first opportunity.
Parents
Former Member
I swam in neighborhood leagues until age 10, then joined a nearby AAU team (1971). The training kicked in, things went well, but burned out at the start of my senior year of high school (1977) and I dropped out. Swam intramurals at college with a very "relaxed" training regimen but my 100 yd free time improved anyway.
Stopped again after college until 1989 or so when a project I designed (hotel fitness center, with lap pool) enticed me to start splashing around a bit again. Found a masters team near my home and joined it because swimming alone was dull and unmotivating. Others on this team and I got into the triathlon gig and had a blast. First child came (1992) and dropped out again. Joined again, but did major construction work on my old house, plus a second child, and dropped out again. And so forth.
Finally had to quit running due to bad joints. Being a gym rat didn't do it, needed that friendly competitive spirit and challenge for improvement that masters can bring. Mid-life crisis hits (2005), bought a sports car but pledged to start swimming again as part of the solution (or pact with the devil?). I swim with several groups, keeps it fresh. Been going reasonably strong ever since, I plan to continue many years.
Masters has so much to offer, highly recommended.
DV
I swam in neighborhood leagues until age 10, then joined a nearby AAU team (1971). The training kicked in, things went well, but burned out at the start of my senior year of high school (1977) and I dropped out. Swam intramurals at college with a very "relaxed" training regimen but my 100 yd free time improved anyway.
Stopped again after college until 1989 or so when a project I designed (hotel fitness center, with lap pool) enticed me to start splashing around a bit again. Found a masters team near my home and joined it because swimming alone was dull and unmotivating. Others on this team and I got into the triathlon gig and had a blast. First child came (1992) and dropped out again. Joined again, but did major construction work on my old house, plus a second child, and dropped out again. And so forth.
Finally had to quit running due to bad joints. Being a gym rat didn't do it, needed that friendly competitive spirit and challenge for improvement that masters can bring. Mid-life crisis hits (2005), bought a sports car but pledged to start swimming again as part of the solution (or pact with the devil?). I swim with several groups, keeps it fresh. Been going reasonably strong ever since, I plan to continue many years.
Masters has so much to offer, highly recommended.
DV
