I'm always interested in hearing about the USMS demographics, but I couldn't find any information on USMS and college swimming. I was wondering roughly what percentage of US Masters swimmers swam in college and at what level. I also wanted to hear from you where you went, when, and what you loved / hated most about college swimming.
My parents tried to force me onto a swim team when I was 8, and after the first practice when the coach tried to get me to swim the length of the pool (LCM, I think), I freaked, and never went back. Or, rather, went back the rest of the week, but just hung out near the pool til the practice was over. I finally told them how freaking scary it was and they relented.
I did manage to swim, mostly by myself. I was an okay swimmer. Boy Scouts and ARC Lifeguard kept me swimming. That "mile swim" patch every year at summer camp was a big deal to my young self. I next got serious when I tried triathlons in the early 80's. I had a pool two doors from my house, and I knew the managers, so they let me swim in the pool before it opened (by myself...can you imagine that happening today?). My two triathlons (1984 & 1985) were bombs, mostly because of my running.
But that is it for competing til 2003, when I was 36. The base I was stationed on started a masters club and I joined. And learned to really swim. My times have improved over the years. In fact, in 1997 (still no masters team in my life), I swam the Navy physical fitness test. The swim was 500 yards, which I did in 9:33. Thirteen years later, in fact just a week ago, I swam the same distance (for the Phoenix 500) in 7:16. Not bad for 43 years old!
I am so glad I found USMS. I just wish there were more masters teams where I get stationed! (Yes, I've tried to start some...no luck...yet.)
My parents tried to force me onto a swim team when I was 8, and after the first practice when the coach tried to get me to swim the length of the pool (LCM, I think), I freaked, and never went back. Or, rather, went back the rest of the week, but just hung out near the pool til the practice was over. I finally told them how freaking scary it was and they relented.
I did manage to swim, mostly by myself. I was an okay swimmer. Boy Scouts and ARC Lifeguard kept me swimming. That "mile swim" patch every year at summer camp was a big deal to my young self. I next got serious when I tried triathlons in the early 80's. I had a pool two doors from my house, and I knew the managers, so they let me swim in the pool before it opened (by myself...can you imagine that happening today?). My two triathlons (1984 & 1985) were bombs, mostly because of my running.
But that is it for competing til 2003, when I was 36. The base I was stationed on started a masters club and I joined. And learned to really swim. My times have improved over the years. In fact, in 1997 (still no masters team in my life), I swam the Navy physical fitness test. The swim was 500 yards, which I did in 9:33. Thirteen years later, in fact just a week ago, I swam the same distance (for the Phoenix 500) in 7:16. Not bad for 43 years old!
I am so glad I found USMS. I just wish there were more masters teams where I get stationed! (Yes, I've tried to start some...no luck...yet.)
