Lovely painting, which truly portrays the author/artist's feelings about swimming and competition, as he ages up. (Would love to have a copy!)
I agree with his earlier "irritation" toward "cutthroat" competition, which should be "fun"! Competition is a comparison...of training, physical skills, mental tenacity, but at the Masters level...cutthroat, I don't think so! And I do believe it does turn off some of our beginner and intermediate level swimmers, and maybe a super swimmer or two, as well.
And as I age up myself, I, too, feel less burning to be "best"! I have an injury that keeps me out of the water some for awhile, as well as competition, and I miss my workouts terribly and even the possibility of competing in the near future...it gives me goals to reach for. But it is the "mission" of Masters to enhance health, wellness, fitness as well as competition, so it is important to value continued participation of our Masters w/out that "cutthroat" competition. Thanks, Austin, for your reminder of our underlying purpose and mission in Masters Swimming! JP
p.s. As a lifelong swim coach, I see so many levels of intensity at all levels of competition; it really doesn't matter what age swimmers are, or even their ability level, love of competition appears to wax and wane... life!
Luckily I'm not yet in the 80-84 age group - but I have to say that I enjoyed this article, and could really sympathize with "not caring" about speed. I went through this a few years ago, but luckily, I have snapped out of it!! My parents both participate in Iron Man's - which I totally do not understand, Mom is 72, Dad is 75 - it literally takes them almost the entire 18 hours to finish - I don't understand why they want to do this, but this article did give me a better glimpse of my parents continued drive to "compete" - with the other 3 or 4 people in their age group that can also do these. My parents are not yet to the point where they don't care about their times, and only compete for the sake of competition - they actively want to beat other people. I hope I can be as driven and competitive in my 70's & 80's as well.
Wow Celestial! That's very cool about your parents, I hope you're very proud!
Now I understand how you did the 17K workout! :) It's in the genes!
Luckily I'm not yet in the 80-84 age group - but I have to say that I enjoyed this article, and could really sympathize with "not caring" about speed. I went through this a few years ago, but luckily, I have snapped out of it!! My parents both participate in Iron Man's - which I totally do not understand, Mom is 72, Dad is 75 - it literally takes them almost the entire 18 hours to finish - I don't understand why they want to do this, but this article did give me a better glimpse of my parents continued drive to "compete" - with the other 3 or 4 people in their age group that can also do these. My parents are not yet to the point where they don't care about their times, and only compete for the sake of competition - they actively want to beat other people. I hope I can be as driven and competitive in my 70's & 80's as well.
Wow Celestial! That's very cool about your parents, I hope you're very proud!
Now I understand how you did the 17K workout! :) It's in the genes!
