Why I am a Swimmer

Why? This is one word that can become such a hard question to answer sometimes. "Why this?" and "Why that?" are typical questions we hear everyday. Humans are curious creatures, we ask questions. I think the hardest thing to do is to ask yourself "why?"

I remember my first day of swim team practice. It was the last day of fourth grade and summer had just begun. I was nervous and excited and from that moment I had know idea what I was getting myself into. Haha. I continued to practice, compete and take stroke clinics. I began to believe that this could be the sport for me. That winter I qualified for my first state and regional competitions which was so exciting. I think at this time is when my mom and dad figured out that we were in it for the long haul.

I have been swimming ever since, on a total of four different swim teams. To this day, it is so hard to answer the question "Why do you swim?" It is a combination of things, most definitely, that make this sport such a huge part of my life. A part of me believes that only other swimmers can truly understand the answer to "why."

Waking up at 5 am and jumping in a pool, riding on long car trips and enduring hours of training everyday would not be in the top reasons of why I swim. Swimming is such a mental and physical sport and it takes a lot of determination and drive to succeed. I absolutely love the feeling of finishing a race and touching out my oponent, qualifying for competitions, making new friendships, continuing lasting friendships and knowing that all of my hard work is paying off. THESE are the reasons why I swim.

Over the years I have won races, earned awards, been named to the All-Star team, and made it to State along with many other accomplishments. These achievements make all of the hard work worth it. I also know that the drive I have built up for swimming helps me in other aspects of my life. I have to be dedicated and motivated to get my school work done, swim and to have a job- I believe I first got these qualities because of swimming.

All in all, to answer the question "Why do you swim?" I would have to say that the feeling of triumph when I swim well, the friendships and relationships I have gained, and the drive to succeed are some of the most important things I will ever experience.