A Rookie’s Take On Masters Nationals

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From left: Matt Grevers, Annie Grevers, Tyler DeBerry, and Catherine Vorrasi of Arizona Masters Photo Courtesy: Tyler DeBerry

By Annie Grevers, Swimming World Staff Writer

Bloody knuckles, tiny bruises all over from the pinching of tight fabric, and permanent indentations on my shoulders from the enduring pressure of a racing suit are just a few things I knew I would not miss when I retired from competitive swimming in 2012. I hoped to never have an occasion which required me to don such a ridiculous costume again…

The occasion came sooner than expected. I laughed as I packed myself into the vibrant, tight hug of a TYR Avictor at last weekend’s 2015 U.S. Masters Swimming Nationals in San Antonio, Texas.

The Point of Masters Swimming

I’ll be honest. As a high school swimmer and a college swimmer, I thought Masters swimming was a joke. I thought to myself, Why do these folks take this so seriously? Where do they race? Why does swimming still matter to them? Don’t they know their fastest swims are behind them?

In the past year all of my questions have been answered. Masters Nationals showed me these competitors, aged 18 through 98, were all eager to improve their swimming and nourish their swimming relationships. The atmosphere on the pool deck at the gorgeous Northside ISD Swim Center was reminiscent of summer league swimming. These big kids brought a day’s worth of snacks, set up camp, and enjoyed reunions with swim friends.

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The Olympic Club crew in San Antonio. Three generations of Rudloff men competed (middle front row). Edward Rudloff, 91, won high point in San Antonio. Photo Courtesy: Katherine Raatz

Bodies of all ages and all shapes and sizes were squeezed into technical suits. As Olympian Jessica Hardy recently tweeted “Race suits: forcing girl swimmers to bond since 2009 (mandatory assistance to get in and out of them, regardless if u know anyone around u.)” USMS swimmers may argue with the year, because many have been breathlessly asking a neighbor for help hiking up the second skin for many years.

Before setting foot on the USMS Nationals deck, I thought I may not care about this meet enough to tug on a racing suit. Then I went in the locker room and saw women twice (and thrice) my age taking the spandex plunge, and thought “Welp, if they can do it, I better do it.”

If They Can Do It, I Can Too

That became the theme of the weekend. Inspiration abounded at USMS Nationals. My most-trusted source, my husband Matt Grevers, performed OK in his own mind, but this crowd thought his efforts were astounding. He plowed through the water to new 30-34 age group records in the 100 IM (47.7), 50 fly (21.1), 50 breast (24.3) and the 50 back leading off the 200 mixed medley relay (1:35.2).

#MattGrevers and #AnneDunivin at the Masters Swimming Spring Nationals.

A photo posted by Amy Price (@amicitae) on Apr 25, 2015 at 6:55pm PDT

But he and I were more awed by 98-year-old Anne Dunivin who swam multiple events and lit up the pool deck with her lively smile, and 78-year-old Helen Bayly who waved to her former diving coach while swimming her 200 backstroke and will readily demonstrate how she can still touch her nose to her knees because she “must stay nimble for diving!”

Photo Courtesy: Jeff Commings

Hometown hero, 42-year-old Josh Davis, set national records in the 40-44 age group in the 200 (1:38.2) and 500 free (4:33.3) after doing USRPT (Ultra-Short Race-Pace Training) everyday for six months leading up to Masters Nationals. Jeff Commings (41) defied his age as well, setting national records in the 100 breast (55.3) and the 100 (51.0) IM. In every event, swimmers were proving they still have it in one regard or another. Over the course of the four-day meet, 56 USMS records were broken across more than a dozen age groups.

Nearly 2,000 competitors were entered in the meet, and two heats ran simultaneously in the sprawling competition pool to keep the events flowing on schedule. In some cases, the meet ran more smoothly than swimmers anticipated, and they missed their races. Their reaction? Typically a shrug of the shoulders and an “Oh well.”

Pre-Race Adrenaline

I was ill-prepared for my first race on Friday. I approached the competition pool for the first time after warming up and saw 20 swimmers racing at once. I felt like a 7-year-old lost behind the blocks at my first summer league meet.

Where do I go? Where are the lane numbers? Where’s my mom?

I acclimated to the conditions and found my lane and saw my name on the timer’s paper. I approached the blocks with my husband conveniently close-by to help me adjust the wedge on the state-of-the-art blocks. With the uncertainty of my surroundings came a rush of nervous energy I was not expecting.

Photo Courtesy: Katherine Raatz

Matt pointed out how many Masters swimmers told him they were nervous for their races.

“Why do people want to keep racing if they still conjure up such nerves?” Matt wondered. Especially those grueling races like the 400 IM or the mile. We pondered the question…

It’s the feeling which comes after delving into your energy stores and getting more out of your body than you thought possible that swimmers become addicted to. These seasoned competitors know the race is going to hurt, but they also know the satisfaction which comes from exerting your body through the pain and the endorphin rush which inevitably follows.

Progress Junkies

I’m happily retired from competitive swimming and I now dabble in the pool because I embrace swimming as the best form of exercise known to man. Masters Nationals was in my hometown of San Antonio, so it was an excellent excuse to come home and a great opportunity to gauge my progress since beginning my sporadic Masters training.

There are varying levels of intensity in the minds of Masters swimmers. One commonality is the love of tangible, measurable progress. Working hard for something and being rewarded by the sight of digits you thought you may never see again will always feel good. Some swimmers have never completed a 200 fly before and just want to prove to themselves that it’s doable.

Swimmers in their 70s would return to the team area gassed but grinning. Their smile begged teammates to ask the question: How was your race?

“Pretty great. I went a best time in the 50 breast and I only started swimming breaststroke a couple years ago!” I heard one teammate react.

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Photo Courtesy: Nicolas Granger

The Masters Swimming world is like Neverland. Not much changes over time in the sport of swimming. Sure, times eventually slow down and bodies sag a little more than they used to, but new goals are still being chased and meaningful friendships are being forged.

The expectations are not heavy. You’re there completely by choice, so you’re a lot like a child in the water again. Racing is still a rush.

There was more loose skin and wrinkles at USMS Nationals than at USA Swimming Nationals, but there was nothing droopy or tired about the atmosphere in San Antonio. After learning to love the faces and the phases of the sport of swimming, you never fall out of love.

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Pam Esser

8 years ago

Loved the article Annie!

Peter Bick

8 years ago

Great write-up Annie! You captured it.

Kari Yocum

8 years ago

Love this! Loved San Antonio!

Helen Bayly

8 years ago

Annie, you noticed everything, and wrote affectionately about everything…. Congrats on your own super swims!

Tracy N Brandon Barrett

8 years ago

What a beautiful article. My boys have swam at this facility since the indoor pool first opened. About 7 or 8 years now. My 18 year old was lifeguarding the 4 days while my husband and younger son timed. I was a spectator:) It was great to see “our” pool so alive with such inspirational athletes. I am glad my boys could see with swimming they never have to stop competing if they don’t want to.

AWT

8 years ago

Reply to Tracy N Brandon Barrett

Tracy – many thanks to you and your family for volunteering and cheering us all on!

Tim Johnson

8 years ago

Great article! Looking forward to competing in next year’s USMS Spring Nationals in Greensboro, NC.

Donna Hodgert

8 years ago

Well said! You captured the exact reason we are all still a part of swimming.

Jan

8 years ago

How about identifying the four people in the initial picture!!

Jan Ennis

8 years ago

How about identifying the four people in this picture?????

Mike Sherrill

8 years ago

Well said….and welcome back to swimming!

Christy C

8 years ago

I completely agree with you! This was my first meet since graduating from college in 2002. I am seven months pregnant but live in San Antonio so figured it would be a fun experience. I had a great time, saw some long lost friends, and remembered why I fell in love with competitive swimming many years ago. I can’t wait to do it again!

Pearce Bennett

8 years ago

James Bradley Should we start training again?

James Bradley

8 years ago

Reply to Pearce Bennett

Let’s do it mate

Pearce Bennett

8 years ago

Reply to Pearce Bennett

We really should, gotta lose my bk gut hahah

James Bradley

8 years ago

Reply to Pearce Bennett

Mate I’m in the worst shape atm

Laura Val

8 years ago

You nailed it Annie! Welcome to masters swimming!

Swimming World

8 years ago

Identified for you Jan Ennis 🙂

Jan Ennis

8 years ago

Reply to Swimming World

Thank you! Those swimmers deserved to have a bit of recognition for their accomplishments in San Antonio. Good article!

Rick Colella

8 years ago

Great job Annie! You really capture the spirit of the meet and the reason so many of us keep swimming. Thanks for a great article.

Patti Wenig Miller

8 years ago

Yvonne Wilkins…… better get ready!!!

David Guthrie

8 years ago

Excellent article, Annie, and an important one that, hopefully, will inspire many young swimmers to reconsider retiring their suit and goggles and join the Masters community.

Your passion for swimming is matched by your gift for writing. Thank you.

Susan Paasch

8 years ago

Carissa Paasch! What a great experience you had!
So very proud of you, your accomplishments, your perseverance, your never ending energy! Love you to the moon and back!

Mariel Colella

8 years ago

Great article Annie! Really captures the spirit of the meet and Masters Swimming, and the tech suit struggle. Our poor knuckles!

Christie

8 years ago

great article… One more thought to add to the question why race… Because you can. Not everyone can and its pretty inspiring to think in those terms (for me at least).

Glenn Gruber

8 years ago

Great job Annie!

I have been swimming Masters for over 35 years. I still get nervous before a big race but love it !! Still making new friends and still learning about how to swim faster. It never gets old and I can’t wait to train every day.

May you enjoy a long and competitive Masters career.

Glenn Gruber (65-69)

Barbara Chandler

8 years ago

Straight from the heart, Annie. Wonderful to watch your race again!Love you so, Mama