My Masters Swimming Story

I started swimming again about four years ago. I had been an on again and off again Masters swimmer since college. I had tried a few times to get back into competing. But I let life and injuries get in the way of training for any extended period of time. Four years ago I decided I was ready and started training again. After training for a few weeks I quickly signed up for a swim meet.

My First Swim Meet in 20 Years

My first event on that fateful day four years ago was the 200 yard freestyle. I remember the race vividly. It seemed like I had forgotten how to do starts. And wow did the starting blocks seem high! I was really hoping I didn’t lose my balance and fall off. Everyone was doing track starts but I had both sets of toes over the edge of the block. I was going to do this old school. I remember getting water in my goggles pretty quickly at the start of the race, but felt pretty good swimming. Until about the 75 yard mark. My arms stopped working and it took every effort of willpower to swing one arm in front of the other. I wasn’t sure I could even finish the race, but I somehow did.

I also swam the 100 yard IM and 200 yard IM that day. I was feeling ambitious I guess. My times reflected many years away from the pool. I thought I could just dive in and be AT LEAST where I was in high school, right? Not even close.

I remember feeling physically destroyed after my races. My body didn’t know what to do after exerting that much physical activity. It certainly wasn’t used to the intensity of racing.

Where I Am Today

Fast forward to today. I’ve been swim training regularly over the past four years. I’ve competed in many meets and even a few open water races.

Bath YMCA Masters Sprint Meet 2016

Over the past few weeks I swam in two meets and was 5 seconds faster in both the 200IM and 200 freestyle than I was four years ago. In fact the other day I swam a 200 free IN PRACTICE the same speed as my 200 free of four years ago.

I am doing track starts and have even re learned how to do a backstroke start (I’m not a backstroker). I am working on improving my underwater dolphin kicks. I look forward to learning new techniques, drills, and continuing to improve as I move up in age groups.

My recovery is excellent. I’m practicing 5-6 days a week and able to swim hard in most practices. Even though I swam in a meet yesterday, I feel great this morning. I’m looking forward to practice later today.

I’m really having a blast since I started Masters swimming again. I’ve gotten back into great shape, have lost a lot of weight, and am either at or near many of my high school swim times again. I’ve reconnected with old swimming friends and made new ones. I feel like a kid when I am swimming and attending meets. It brings back many positive memories for me.

I look forward to many years of Masters swimming.

Feel free to comment and share your Masters swimming story!