You know, I've heard a few people say, "this is only masters, it's no big deal."
Yet, as I meet more people I learn about stories of people enjoying the sport, and the years of dedication they've given to swimming. 60+ years old, still healthy, still strong, going 32 for 50 fly... ???!!
Being fast at 20, great, way to go.... Try a lifetime of dedication, that's even greater.
I've had this talk with a friend who takes his training pretty seriously, works, has a family.
We've both said, "It's not like it's social work, or volunteering or contributing to society" (except that we set good examples of healthy living and probably save tons on medical costs) (except for all that PT we might occasionally need, but still, mostly we are fit and not overweight and active and showing by example that it's possible to stay fit for life).
For me it's my mental health that has been thoroughly resuscitated by this sport. Feeling down, go for a swim. Don't want to swim, want to drown? Go to a workout. Kaboom! Instant mental health. No time to think about the blues. Breathing that deep and hard for an hour and a half and being "held" by the water seems to change my chemistry so then I'm not blue, and this altered state usually lasts for many hours. Also, it's social! Usually gets me out of my funks.
The carryover: hard job tasks? Just think: This is nothing compared to the 400 IMs last night. Need to feel powerful? Just think about a good swim. Have a nasty medical test where you have to drink radioactive barium? Just do it on the interval: On the :10 I will drink 6 long gulps; on the :40 I will drink 6 more long gulps. This worked very well for me.
About the obsessiveness: that part still bothers me. I try not to obsess about my times (and I am getting better at this), but I think when people really are obsessive about their times, then it's more than masters and maybe not the best use of life energy.
I've had this talk with a friend who takes his training pretty seriously, works, has a family.
We've both said, "It's not like it's social work, or volunteering or contributing to society" (except that we set good examples of healthy living and probably save tons on medical costs) (except for all that PT we might occasionally need, but still, mostly we are fit and not overweight and active and showing by example that it's possible to stay fit for life).
For me it's my mental health that has been thoroughly resuscitated by this sport. Feeling down, go for a swim. Don't want to swim, want to drown? Go to a workout. Kaboom! Instant mental health. No time to think about the blues. Breathing that deep and hard for an hour and a half and being "held" by the water seems to change my chemistry so then I'm not blue, and this altered state usually lasts for many hours. Also, it's social! Usually gets me out of my funks.
The carryover: hard job tasks? Just think: This is nothing compared to the 400 IMs last night. Need to feel powerful? Just think about a good swim. Have a nasty medical test where you have to drink radioactive barium? Just do it on the interval: On the :10 I will drink 6 long gulps; on the :40 I will drink 6 more long gulps. This worked very well for me.
About the obsessiveness: that part still bothers me. I try not to obsess about my times (and I am getting better at this), but I think when people really are obsessive about their times, then it's more than masters and maybe not the best use of life energy.
