Masters

It's been nice getting some messages from friends in California hoping to attend the meet. I've been following a post on the Masters forum regarding the meet itself. I was mentioned in the post which brought plenty of mixed feelings. I appreciate the supporters I've found on the forum. Unfortunately there are more than a few members making negative comments about my swimming. It's certainly a new dimension of masters swimming I believe only exists on the internet. My experience at actual masters meets has been the polar opposite, nothing but great positive people. Which brought me to a realization about swimmers who compete in both USA swimming and USMS swimming.

When I swim at a masters meet, which I've done for the last 3.5 years, I'm surrounded by excitement because I'm younger than the average masters swimmer, and they expect faster than usual times due to my age. They enjoy that I'm there, however wonder why I'm not swimming USA. Swimmers in a USA meet wonder why I'm there because I'm older than the swimmers they're used to seeing. The masters online community would have you believe that somebody in their 20's isn't a welcomed addition. And certainly not if they're faster than average or don't have families of their own. It seems as though I am welcome nowhere.

I'm glad to feel strong enough to realize the people trying to bring me down mean nothing, I forgive them for their unnecessary comments. I'm proud of my accomplishments. The masters community should be proud as well, without them I wouldn't be where I am today. I will continue to surround myself with positive people and continue to thank them for their support.