Swimming against your age group

I would prioritize as follows: First, six events. For the first time in my experience, LCM nats this year dropped the 6th event. If I'm going to spend $1000 or more to go to a freakin' swimming meet, fer gawsh sakes, please let me swim all six events. Second, age groups. If I'm going to a national championships, fer gawsh sakes, I want to race against the top guys in my age group. As a spectator, I want to watch races for the national championship. Stevenson vs. pwb vs. others in the 500 free at Greensboro was definitely worth the price of admission. Abrahams 100 free at GaTech 2010 will be remembered forever. Stark 200 *** at Auburn 2011. Need I say more? Age groups are a key feature at nats, even in events 200+. Third, timeline. I appreciate and adore all meet officials and volunteers. I'd like to get them home 20 minutes earlier too! But at the same time, I'd plead with them to stay 20 or 40 minutes longer for the benefit of the competitors, who after spending $1000+, would like to swim 6 races, and the spectators, who enjoy the thrill of victory / agony of defeat thing. I think they'd go along with that. :2cents: YES, YES, and YES!!! :applaud: I agree with every word, Swimosaur. :agree: I especially agree with the examples you provided, because the two most memorable races I have ever seen at Nationals were King Frog breaking the world record at Auburn and Rich at Georgia Tech. (I missed the other race at Greensboro; I must have been in the warm up pool...). I still watch the video I shot of King Frog from time to time; it was an awesome race! As for the 6th event argument, I have made my point elsewhere on the forums. :bitching: Your second point is irrelevant for me personally, because I am at the bottom in my age group and feel just lucky to be able to "race" (my body put that in quotes; my mind is willing, but the body isn't...). BUT, I understand how you and others feel about it. And, I would want that for my Forumite buddies! Great post, Swimosaur! And, if I may hijack this for just a moment, Diann is having an awesome Nationals! :applaud: It was an honor to swim on a relay with her!!! She is one class act as a swimmer and a person.

I would prioritize as follows: First, six events. For the first time in my experience, LCM nats this year dropped the 6th event. If I'm going to spend $1000 or more to go to a freakin' swimming meet, fer gawsh sakes, please let me swim all six events. Second, age groups. If I'm going to a national championships, fer gawsh sakes, I want to race against the top guys in my age group. As a spectator, I want to watch races for the national championship. Stevenson vs. pwb vs. others in the 500 free at Greensboro was definitely worth the price of admission. Abrahams 100 free at GaTech 2010 will be remembered forever. Stark 200 *** at Auburn 2011. Need I say more? Age groups are a key feature at nats, even in events 200+. Third, timeline. I appreciate and adore all meet officials and volunteers. I'd like to get them home 20 minutes earlier too! But at the same time, I'd plead with them to stay 20 or 40 minutes longer for the benefit of the competitors, who after spending $1000+, would like to swim 6 races, and the spectators, who enjoy the thrill of victory / agony of defeat thing. I think they'd go along with that. :2cents: YES, YES, and YES!!! :applaud: I agree with every word, Swimosaur. :agree: I especially agree with the examples you provided, because the two most memorable races I have ever seen at Nationals were King Frog breaking the world record at Auburn and Rich at Georgia Tech. (I missed the other race at Greensboro; I must have been in the warm up pool...). I still watch the video I shot of King Frog from time to time; it was an awesome race! As for the 6th event argument, I have made my point elsewhere on the forums. :bitching: Your second point is irrelevant for me personally, because I am at the bottom in my age group and feel just lucky to be able to "race" (my body put that in quotes; my mind is willing, but the body isn't...). BUT, I understand how you and others feel about it. And, I would want that for my Forumite buddies! Great post, Swimosaur! And, if I may hijack this for just a moment, Diann is having an awesome Nationals! :applaud: It was an honor to swim on a relay with her!!! She is one class act as a swimmer and a person.