SPMA Zones bigger than Nationals?

I am doing "easy" events though. 50, 200, 400 Free, and 200 IM. You call that easy? Let me show you how it's done: I entered the 50 fly, 50 back, 50 free, and 100 free! Also, I will be complaining about exactly four of these topics (so choose carefully): event order, bulkheads (or lack thereof), sunburn (or lack thereof), lane assignments, water depth, water temperature, large competitors, taper length, rest between events, the suits, the government, alien abductions, the Higgs Boson, cold fusion, and of course, forumites who complain. Hey if I'm gonna be a sprinter for a day, I gotta do it right! :banana:

First, you are wrong. This is not the 2nd SPMA championships scheduled 1 week after nationals. SCY Championships were May 13-15. Nationals were Apr 28-May 1. That is two weeks apart. If you examine Appendix E in the rule book you will see that historically the LCM Nationals were in the middle to end of August. It is only the past few years that they have been at the beginning of August. I guess that the needs of a few (swimmers who go to nationals) are far more important that the needs of many (those who compete locally). What a pleasant post.

It is only the past few years that they have been at the beginning of August. I guess that the needs of a few (swimmers who go to nationals) are far more important that the needs of many (those who compete locally). Geez, someone woke-up cranky this morning.

I was attacked without provocation because I pointed out an error that someone made that made SPMA look bad. Where is the vitriol in my original post? Just because I pointed out she had her facts wrong? That's vitriol? Seems it's OK for all of you "regulars" to attack people, but it's not OK for someone not part of this clique to point out a factual error. Talk about a double standard. Seems to me that you're the cranky one, since you can't handle one of your friends being shown to be wrong. Wow. So sensitive. Yet, so quick to attack people outside of your clique. If someone doesn't have a clue what I'm talking about all they have to do is read my posts, they are very clear. There was no attack. This is not an attack. Il n'y avait aucune attaque. Ce n'est pas une attaque.

kAs far as which meet "should" be scheduled first, I can see an argument for having nationals first: if you go to both, then that would probably be your primary meet and you'd taper for it. Then you just extend it for zones. Going the other way might not appeal to as many people. People who are going to only one meet probably won't care much. Finally, I really like this story about a good championship meet following nationals. Thinking it over, I quite like the idea of swimming nationals 1st and local champs 2nd. As in this weekend we go to local champs unrested. In the past I have seen lots of success at a fine continued taper meet. Oh and I had the pleasure of meeting your Mermaid Lisa in Mesa. Now she is a great example of positive energy! For many years I had the privilege to work with a meditation teacher I loved and respected so much. He passed away a few years back, but his advice and teaching is always with me. One aphoism I especially love from him... "Indomitable strength blossoms in the heart of enthusiasm." Distance Day in The PACIFIC! Have a great weekend!

Yep...that's easy all right! In fact...I'd call that a waste of a drive to come all the way over to Spokane to compete for a total of approx. 2 minutes 34 seconds. We'll see how close I come with my estimate after the meet happens. :) Hmmm. I should be able to go faster than 2:34 for those events but it may be close. So that's an interesting little gridge there. 2) taper length...because you're tapering now for Gil Young and won't be able to hang onto it for another 2 weeks afterward. We'll see. I cut it reeeeeaaaal close with this taper. I didn't start feeling fast until yesterday afternoon! Recent race pace swims: 7/2 - sludgy 1000 free 7/3 - sludgy 800 IM 7/6 - sludgy 500 free 7/7 (AM) - sludgy 200 IM 7/7 (PM) - BOOM! Rocking fast 100 back! :banana: 7/8 - MOAR BOOM! 100 fly that didn't feel good but the clock doesn't lie, I went fast. Ahah!!!...now I see why you're swimming only the 50s at the meet. You're scared of the pain! HAHAAHAHa!!! You're right, that is laughable.

I don't know how long I have been a USMS member because I can't remember when USMS was formed.I know there are some bad apples in USMS,but I don't think I have ever met them.I must say I have avoided our LMSC board meetings because I have heard they can get acrimonious,so maybe I have my head in the sand,but I love USMS.

It's asinine comments like these that reinforce the correctness of my decision never to join USMS again. I sincerely regret the thousands and thousands of hours I put into this organization. It was a waste of my time.A serious question and with no intent to be snide: if you're so frustrated with USMS, why are you spending time on these forums? I don't know what your experience was like so I can't pretend to 'walk in your shoes,' but I've found the organization to be awesome over the last 10+ years I have been involved.

I pay more on a tank of gas for several days of commuting to work than one year's membership.

I don't know what your experience was like so I can't pretend to 'walk in your shoes,' but I've found the organization to be awesome over the last 10+ years I have been involved. I second this. I am approaching my 10th anniversary of competition in USMS and I think it has been the best time and money I've spent over the last decade. Lots of bang for the buck.