The other day I was walking to my car when I noticed the car parked next to me had a vanity license plate "SWIMFLY". I walked up to the man driving the car and we started talking about swimming and competing.
He said he swam at Nationals in 2001 and he was waiting until he turned 60 to swim at another meet. I told him that he should go to more meets because they are really fun. This guy is a really great swimmer. He still holds the State record in all of the butterfly events and he won the majority of his races at nationals.
This got me thinking - what is it that is keeping swimmers from entering races? I realize there are a ton of fitness swimmers who don't want to compete and I understand that. But beyond that what is the reason?
For me personally, I waited to enter my first meet because I didn't think I was fast enough and I didn't want to be embarrassed. I am so sorry it took me so long to go to a race - I think they are really fun.
I just don't like being at a pool for a whole day, swimming a little, and waiting for most of the day. For 3-4 years, it seemed I did 3 meets/year, and got burned out from the whole thing. I have also done an open water swim, and plan to do more of those...you get in, swim, and are done.
I may do a meet here or there now, but I swim (and lift and run) to keep in shape. My time is more valuable to me now to either get caught up on things around the house on weekends, or be out traveling somewhere.
I just don't like being at a pool for a whole day, swimming a little, and waiting for most of the day. For 3-4 years, it seemed I did 3 meets/year, and got burned out from the whole thing. I have also done an open water swim, and plan to do more of those...you get in, swim, and are done.
I may do a meet here or there now, but I swim (and lift and run) to keep in shape. My time is more valuable to me now to either get caught up on things around the house on weekends, or be out traveling somewhere.
