PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE (desire to excel in swimming,
or another activity)
— "I swim with the idea of freedom. Swimming is liberating
for me! When I started swimming, I was like any traditional woman.
My life was just all bound up… with kids, with errands, with
my ex-husband… I was just tired of being needed all the time.
Swimming has always been my time for me… and I try not to
feel any constraints. When I swim, I just let everything out.
I make more noise under the water than I ever did above it…
Sometimes I wonder if anyone can hear me…I have even cried
under the water before. It makes me feel much better..."
(Female; age 40; divorced).
— "I swim because… I want to be more authentic…
I used to look bigger (outside)… yet inside… I felt
like I had shrunk away… now, while I am here (at the pool)…
I stand how I really stand… like this… just like those
girls in the swim magazines…" (Stood with hands on hips
and feet splayed apart and stared straight ahead). (Female)
— "The pool is the only time I exhibit any athleticism.
It's cool to be able to out swim my husband." (Married; age
32).
— "I like to swim over men in open water. I even push
them down in the water when I need to… it's like, there,
how do you like it on bottom?" (Single; female; age 42).
— "Actually, I am a triathlete. I swim mostly enhance
my performance capability in my 'real sport,' which is running…
I have always thought swimming was easy… I don't think that
anymore…" (Male, competitive triathlete.)
— "I like moving faster and sooner than anyone else…
I like to compete… When I do that, I am out for blood, but
I try not to say that…" (Laughing; female; age approx.
32).
