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\u2026<\/p>\n

The occasion came sooner than expected. I laughed as I packed myself into the vibrant, tight hug of a TYR Avictor at last weekend\u2019s 2015 U.S. Masters Swimming Nationals in San Antonio, Texas.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll 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\u2019t they know their fastest swims are behind them?<\/em><\/p>\n

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\u00a0was reminiscent of summer league swimming. These big kids brought a day\u2019s worth of snacks, set up camp, and enjoyed reunions with swim friends.<\/p>\n

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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<\/p><\/div>\n
Bodies of all ages and all shapes and sizes were squeezed into technical suits. As Olympian Jessica Hardy recently tweeted \u201cRace suits: forcing girl swimmers to bond since 2009 (mandatory assistance to get in and out of them, regardless if u know anyone around u.)\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
Before setting foot on the USMS Nationals deck, I thought\u00a0I 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 \u201cWelp, if they can do it, I better do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
If They Can Do It, I Can Too<\/strong><\/p>\n
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).<\/p>\n
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#MattGrevers and #AnneDunivin at the Masters Swimming Spring Nationals.<\/a><\/p>\n
A photo posted by Amy Price (@amicitae) on Apr 25, 2015 at 6:55pm PDT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n