Bill Morley

I first got involved with PCY Masters about three years ago because I do sprint triathlons, and swimming was always my weakest sport. I came in thinking I would learn how to swim in a couple of weeks and dramatically improve. Well, here I am three years later, and I’m still trying to figure it out!

I honestly don’t remember where I first learned to swim—probably at a YMCA, since my parents were always members. I’ve always been able to swim, but growing up it was strictly recreational. I never swam competitively or had any kind of formal competitive swimming background.

What keeps bringing me back to the pool is the fact that I’m not even close to figuring out how to swim fast. That, and the great group of ladies down in Column 4 who make showing up every morning a lot more enjoyable.

Over time, I’ve gotten to the point where I’m really beginning to enjoy my time in the water. But if I’m being truthful, my favorite part of the day might be the locker room banter afterward. I haven’t taken part in any swim meets, although swimming is, of course, a competitive part of the triathlons I do.

For now, my focus remains on freestyle because that’s what I use in competition. Maybe this next year I’ll branch out a little and work on learning some of the other strokes.

PCY Masters has become an important part of my training routine and a very enjoyable way to stay motivated. And apparently, all that time spent trying to figure out how to swim faster is paying off. My swimming has improved in my triathlons, and this year I won the Sprint Triathlon National Championship for the 75–79 age group. As the national champ, I head to Pontevedra, Spain, this month on Team USA to compete in the Sprint Triathlon World Championship.

So after three years, I may still be trying to figure out this whole swimming thing—but I love being part of the Masters community and appreciate all your help in the progress I’ve made.