How many of you are planning on renewing your USMS membership in 2012? I know those of you who enjoying going to meets will but what about those of you that don't plan on going to meets?
As of right now, I am not planning on going to meets. I had a blast last summer during the lcm season but have struggled with motivation for meets. Spending several hours in car or plane to go to a two day meet has really lost the appeal. There aren't meets close to me, so all of mine are at least 2 hours or more away.
Times don't motivate me. Competition itself doesn't motivate me anymore. The only reason I primarily went to meets is to see friends but the hassle of getting to the meets plus nerve issues in my back and arm have really killed my desire to put any effort in finding meets to go too.
So, for those of you who don't compete, why do you keep your membership?
Membership in usms is required for membership in our club even if we don't swim in meets. I like being a (registered) masters swimmer because I love swimming! It is an important part of each day and my life.
I'm a US citizen living overseas, and I keep my USMS membership even though the chances of me ever being able to compete are slim.
I like the benefits of this site, the FLOG and following results of people my age over there. In sweden there are only 12-16 active swimmers in my age group that I know of.
I love seeing you guys, so if a group effort wants to take a collection for travel expenses, I will come cheer ya'll on.
Sure, I'll take a collection at the next meet. I'll ask all the officials to see if any of them want you to swim.
I hope you get some pain answers soon.
As for renewing, I will be because I plan on continuing with meets.
Wook -
Like you, I don't see myself at alot of meets over the next few years. In fact, I haven't been to many over the past few.
I join USMS as these boards, and the resources of USMS magazine and site, help me stay current on what's going on in the world of swimming, both within and outside of Masters.
There are tons of ideas, suggestions, workouts, and friendly banter that make the price of admission worth it.
Unless you intend to drop out of swimming altogether, give it another year and then decide. (I did, and s3everal years later, I'm still a member.)
Matt
I have a meet calendar with entries up to three years into the future. Some of the more exotic destinations include (dates sometimes approximate),
* Nov. 11-15, 2011 Pan American Masters Championships (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
* Jun. 2-16, 2012 FINA World Masters Championships (Riccione, Italy)
* Aug. ??-??, 2013 World Masters Games (Torino, Italy)
Of course I'm not going to go to all of these meets, but I'd really would like to go to at least one. I can't go to Rio this year, but maybe PanAms will be in a cool place in 2013? I really would like to go to Riccioni.
Looking forward to cool adventures down the road keeps me interested in going to meets. I am not going to win or place in any of these high-level meets, but I would like to show up. I'll swim as fast as I can, and then have fun drinking wine on the beach. I'm grateful to be able to do it, and USMS is my gateway to this world. The first step is the local meet 2 hours drive down the road ...
Good luck with your chronic back pain. That alone would kill anyone's interest in anything. I suspect if that issue were resolved, your love of racing would come surging back.
So seeing us friends here isn't enough motivating for you, Wook? Hm, I now know where we stand. hee-hee
I love seeing you guys, so if a group effort wants to take a collection for travel expenses, I will come cheer ya'll on.
Any chance of getting the pain lessened ?:cane:
Working on this issue. I have been to the best specialist group in my area. They have tossed me around like a frisbee to different members of their group. So far, I have paid a lot and gotten no answers.
But, I don't know if getting the pain resolved will change the desire for going to meets.
For people competing, I know USMS is a great value, esp. compared to other sports but outside of meets, I am not sure if it will provides much value unless your team requires it for the insurance.
Sure, I'll take a collection at the next meet. I'll ask all the officials to see if any of them want you to swim.
I hope you get some pain answers soon.
As for renewing, I will be because I plan on continuing with meets.
I don't really care if the officials want to see my clog the pool with hair. Maybe by the time swimfest rolls around, I will have some answers. Otherwise, I will won't be able to enjoy it nearly as much.
