My team, Rockwall Aquatic Masters is having a long course meet on 6th July and I am actively trying to convince team mates to sign up. On my blog I was describing my disappointment that more of my team mates had not signed up. One commenter posted the following, "Why do they have to participate? I have more fun going to practice than I do meets. I don't find meets fun anymore." I guess I had assumed that most people enjoy meets and I found it strange that my team mates did not want to sign up. This got me thinking and I wondered why people compete or don't compete? Any thoughts?
For me personally, if I don't have a meet coming up, I lose interest in training. Goals keep me motivated. Plus, meets are fun.
I suspect that a lot of people prefer open water because it seems like less pressure: in a meet, you're up there, in front of everyone, with maybe five or so other people swimming at the same time. You're exposed and everyone will know if you do poorly. Whereas in open water, you're just one cap and set of flailing arms among many.
For me personally, if I don't have a meet coming up, I lose interest in training. Goals keep me motivated. Plus, meets are fun.
I suspect that a lot of people prefer open water because it seems like less pressure: in a meet, you're up there, in front of everyone, with maybe five or so other people swimming at the same time. You're exposed and everyone will know if you do poorly. Whereas in open water, you're just one cap and set of flailing arms among many.
