By Lee Carlson, Pacific Northwest Masters

Most masters swimmers never compete in a meet or do so only infrequently—which is a shame because competing regularly presents many opportunities::

  1. Savor the experience
  2. Challenge yourself
  3. Support your teammates
  4. Meet new friends
  5. Renew old friendships
  6. Collect on a bet or dare
  7. Get the adrenaline going
  8. Swim a new event
  9. Swim a different distance
  10. Swim a new stroke
  11. See if you can keep your goggles on at the start
  12. Swim the race smartly
  13. Execute the stroke smoothly
  14. Measure your conditioning program
  15. Cheer for swimmers you know
  16. Have your kids or grandkids come and watch you for a change
  17. See if you can establish a personal best time
  18. See if you come close to a best time
  19. See if you are maintaining your times
  20. Hold your best pace for a 400, 500, or longer
  21. Find out what a negative split is
  22. Feel the sheer joy of it
  23. Honor those swimmers who keep swimming year after year and serve as an inspiration for us all
  24. Feel the pain stop at the end of the race
  25. Enjoy the warm-down after the event
  26. Choose your favorite food and beverage afterward without feeling guilty
  27. Enjoy the fellowship with your teammates