Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

I post this as a swimmer AND triathlete because I am both. I have to say I am disappointed in all the comments made by "masters swimmers" about triathletes. I was a swimmer before I was a triathlete and have just recently returned to swimming. I was welcomed into the triathlon community with only a background in swimming. It was never suggested I have to have a minimum bike or run time to participate in an event that would sell out. Events are open for everyone to register at the same time, just like CZ. That is fair. Period. Maybe it is more important to the triathletes than the "masters swimmers" which we (triathletes registered for CZ) all are, to get registered early. The suggestions of "proof of entry times" and limiting entry to the fastest times is garbage too. I have been out of competitive swimming for almost 15 years and registered as a masters swimmer two months ago. I have no entry times but will likely place top three in both my distance events for my age group. Should I not be allowed to enter because I can't prove what my times might be? Being slow does not make a "triathlete" less serious about swimming. It is possible to be serious about more than one sport. Being slow doesn't mean you aren't serious. Some of these "bad people" swim on my masters team. They don't swim in my lane but most days, doing the workout was a lot harder for them than for me. You may have all forgotten your early years, but swimming a mile is nothing to take lightly and a lot of hard work has to be put in for anyone to even consider it. I believe hard work should be rewarded with opportunity, an opportunity to swim in a meet. You could ask "why this meet?" My question is why not? Entry was open to everyone at the same time. If it was important enough to you, you could have secured an entry. Maybe some swimmers were always elitist jerks and I just didn't know it. The last time I was involved in competitive swimming, there were very few forums like this (for anything) for people to express who they really are. I look forward to competing at CZ this year, against "masters swimmers" and "triathletes" alike. Good luck to triathletes from DC Tri, FeXY, Team Z and any other triathlon clubs or teams associated with a masters program. I welcome you to MY sport as you welcomed me to yours.

I post this as a swimmer AND triathlete because I am both. I have to say I am disappointed in all the comments made by "masters swimmers" about triathletes. I was a swimmer before I was a triathlete and have just recently returned to swimming. I was welcomed into the triathlon community with only a background in swimming. It was never suggested I have to have a minimum bike or run time to participate in an event that would sell out. Events are open for everyone to register at the same time, just like CZ. That is fair. Period. Maybe it is more important to the triathletes than the "masters swimmers" which we (triathletes registered for CZ) all are, to get registered early. The suggestions of "proof of entry times" and limiting entry to the fastest times is garbage too. I have been out of competitive swimming for almost 15 years and registered as a masters swimmer two months ago. I have no entry times but will likely place top three in both my distance events for my age group. Should I not be allowed to enter because I can't prove what my times might be? Being slow does not make a "triathlete" less serious about swimming. It is possible to be serious about more than one sport. Being slow doesn't mean you aren't serious. Some of these "bad people" swim on my masters team. They don't swim in my lane but most days, doing the workout was a lot harder for them than for me. You may have all forgotten your early years, but swimming a mile is nothing to take lightly and a lot of hard work has to be put in for anyone to even consider it. I believe hard work should be rewarded with opportunity, an opportunity to swim in a meet. You could ask "why this meet?" My question is why not? Entry was open to everyone at the same time. If it was important enough to you, you could have secured an entry. Maybe some swimmers were always elitist jerks and I just didn't know it. The last time I was involved in competitive swimming, there were very few forums like this (for anything) for people to express who they really are. I look forward to competing at CZ this year, against "masters swimmers" and "triathletes" alike. Good luck to triathletes from DC Tri, FeXY, Team Z and any other triathlon clubs or teams associated with a masters program. I welcome you to MY sport as you welcomed me to yours.