Arizona State Masters Championships

Just a quick update...I placed first in all my events (50, 100, 200 Fly; 50, 100 Breast; 50 Free; 200 and 400 IM) for my age group. Also I received a high-point award.

The meet was a lot of fun with a number of my teammates there. We had a really good time.

Fast Times in the Cool Pines

Yesterday I participated in my second meet since I joined the Sunfish. This time I was the only person representing my team; I thought it would be awkward and uncomfortable having a team area of one, but to my pleasant surprise it was an extremely enjoyable competition!

The weather in Flagstaff was beautiful: partly cloudly and in the low 80s

I won 3 out of the 5 events I swam...

  50 FL : 0:29.14 : First
100 BR : 1:22.05 : Second
100 FL : 1:08.00 : First
200 IM : 2:40.58 : First
  50 BR : 0:36.29 : Second

Some National Breaststroke Champion was participating and easily took me in both breaststrokes; I'm definately not a national caliber swimmer.

One thing is for sure, I have no endurance. I really need to work on that.

Phoenix Sunfish

Since this last April I've been a part of the gay and lesbian masters swim team, Phoenix Sunfish. At first I was just going to get in shape for my next trip to Hawaii, but it has become so much more than a workout.

When I finished swimming in high school I had a really bad taste in my mouth over all the drama and petty swimmers. There were few people on my team whom I could tolerate and even fewer I cared for. Being a gay-Mormon in denyal on a swim team of crude nearly naked athletes didn't sit very well (I know, mostly my fault). By the end of 1999 I didn't think I'd ever compete again.

For a month or so after I joined the Sunfish I still didn't intend to participate in meets, but all that has changed. Making friends with the people on the team has been a great experience so far. On top of being swimmers we are also a part of the same community.

This weekend will be my first swimming competition in 8 years. Crazy! I'm so nervous and excited! To ease my jitters I splerged and got a suite at the Holiday Inn near the pool. Meet results will be posted next week.