Ken and masters swimming

Ken and the 500 Free

I started swimming competetively in high school. Since I could swim a little bit, my mother said "why don't you join the swim team?" since it would be one more thing to add to the list as I checked off little boxes on that college application.

Having survived the first few practices whilst wearing swim shorts (extra drag) and sticking to the slowest lane possible, I made it to the beginning of the season. When the first swim meet came, I had no idea what event to choose. By the time everyone else on the team had chosen, the only thing left was the 500 yard freestyle. When everyone suggested that I swim the 500, I responded that I probably couldn't count that many lengths. Seemingly, in response to my apprehension, my teammates reassured me by saying that they would get someone to put a number sign underwater just for me. Little did I know that there is a designated lap counter for every long race.

When I finished my first 500, I found that I wasn't in last place. My teammates then assured me that the 500 was my event

Swimming NCAA Division III at Wheaton College my freshman year, I found that I got a 6:06.79 as a best time. Having gotten that time, I began a lifelong quest to finish the 500 in less than 6:00.00. To date, I haven't done it yet, as I have never been able to train as consistantly as I have wanted due to my undergraduate studies. This is not to say that I have given up. I am a masters swimmer now, and I still compete every year hoping that maybe one day, I will hit that 5:59.99 or so. Here is a table of times that I have done recently. One thing to make sure of, don't ever stuff yourself silly with pancakes 2 hours before your event. I learned that in 2007.