I want to ask questions about the life of a Champion.
If you are a World Record Holder, a National Record Holder, a State/Provincial record holder, a Club record holder, or even if you've recently gone a personal best; I want to know how you feel about being a Champion.
Masters win, regardless of place!
See, doing your best, no matter what level you achieve is a great experience. The feeling of improvement from consistent effort is something that anyone can attain. That joy is the same when you finish a race and you know it was your best, a great lifestyle, something worth striving for.
Since I've already started a discussion with Chris Stevenson, perhaps we can continue it here.
Chris, even though you may not have smiled at first (on camera anyways) how did the next few days feel? Are these your first WR titles? Do you plan on more in the future? You're a chemistry teacher, right? Do you realize you've inspired me, and countless others?
Parents
Former Member
My swimming life in a nutshell:
I grew up (mostly) in San Jose, California and started swimming year-round at 8 years old. And have been doing so ever since (though we moved first to Greece and then to Raleigh, NC).
I swam all four years in college, at UNC (= University of National Champions...I mean, U of N Carolina). I was a two-time All-American in college.
I went to grad school at U of Florida and almost immediately met a former Gator swimmer while we were swimming laps at the gym pool. She had started swimming masters and raved about it ("Short practices! You can skip any set you want! Or skip entire practices!") I started and was hooked. The beers after Friday practices helped, too.
I met my wife thru masters swimming (I've often wondered how many "USMS couples" there are out there. I think it would make a nice story.)
I have gone thru long periods of reduced workouts and not competing (especially on the path to tenure) and experimenting with other sports (well, one other sport: cycling) but I have not spent more than about 2 months completely out of the water.
About 2-3 years ago I had some poor blood test results in a checkup. I subsequently lost 30 pounds and decided to train swimming more seriously, and start lifting weights again. And here we are today.
Chris,
Thank you for providing that information... That's the missing link I was looking for...
Just another question champ, if you would be so kind...
What are your best times?
My hat... or should I say, swim cap is off to you...
My swimming life in a nutshell:
I grew up (mostly) in San Jose, California and started swimming year-round at 8 years old. And have been doing so ever since (though we moved first to Greece and then to Raleigh, NC).
I swam all four years in college, at UNC (= University of National Champions...I mean, U of N Carolina). I was a two-time All-American in college.
I went to grad school at U of Florida and almost immediately met a former Gator swimmer while we were swimming laps at the gym pool. She had started swimming masters and raved about it ("Short practices! You can skip any set you want! Or skip entire practices!") I started and was hooked. The beers after Friday practices helped, too.
I met my wife thru masters swimming (I've often wondered how many "USMS couples" there are out there. I think it would make a nice story.)
I have gone thru long periods of reduced workouts and not competing (especially on the path to tenure) and experimenting with other sports (well, one other sport: cycling) but I have not spent more than about 2 months completely out of the water.
About 2-3 years ago I had some poor blood test results in a checkup. I subsequently lost 30 pounds and decided to train swimming more seriously, and start lifting weights again. And here we are today.
Chris,
Thank you for providing that information... That's the missing link I was looking for...
Just another question champ, if you would be so kind...
What are your best times?
My hat... or should I say, swim cap is off to you...
