Lots of folks on this board are pretty experienced competitive swimmers (and you're awesome), but I'm wondering how many of us are in it just for fun/fitness. Is Masters really about competition, or is there room for the fitness swimmer, too?
Of course, I'm looking to get better, improve my stroke and kick and get a little faster. But only because it ups the fitness quotient. I didn't get into swimming to compete, but because my hereditary arthritis started kicking in and I figured it was a safe, effective way to exercise and drop those pounds my doctor's been hounding me about.
Who out there is a non-competitor, how many times a week to you swim, and do you count laps, time, or just do whatever feels good?
I guess competition to me means putting pressure on myself to reach a certain standard. I used to train karate and our sensei insisted that we compete in the club's twice a year tournaments, and I hated it. Maybe I'm just not a competitive person, or I haven't found anything at which I'm good enough and secure in knowing I won't embarrass myself.
Elaine K and Swimosaur, to you the competition is fun. But you're both light years ahead of me in ability.:blush:
Ability is irrelevant if your goal is to go to meets and just have fun. There are some people on our team (Swimosaur is my witness on this!) who are horrible swimmers; however, they show up at all the meets to just enjoy the experience and have fun with their friends.
There is no reason to put pressure on yourself to reach a certain standard. Heck, I am lousy at 200 butterfly; it's my worst event! I have been "racing" it at all the meets I have competed in over the past couple of years, though, because I have set personal goals to improve in that event. I don't care that I come in last place, because I am not trying to beat anybody else. I'm just trying to improve.
On the 13th, I will be competing in my first Ironman Pentathlon. In a short one-day meet, I will be "racing" 400 IM AND 200 of each stroke. 200 fly is my last event, and my goal is to just complete it legally. My time will probably be 30 seconds slower than usual; but, I don't care what it is. I just want the satisfaction of knowing I can successfully complete this self challenge.
Denise, I'm not trying to talk you into or out of competing at meets; but, I hope you will consider it some time. You saw what Nationals was like when you met me there on Sunday. It was a BLAST for those of us who participated in the experience!
You don't have to be a great swimmer to participate in a meet-- even Nationals! I didn't make qualifying times this year, so I just swam three events, including 200 fly and 400 IM. I had so much fun at that meet, and I am VERY glad I participated.
Perhaps you can try a small local meet in your area or a Senior Games meet which usually draws swimmers at a lower level of ability (compared to USMS meets). Just see if you can go with the goal of meeting other swimmers and just having fun. Don't put any pressure on yourself!
Edit: Denise, if this makes you feel any better, I just figured out where I ranked in my age group for my various events in long course. These were my worst: 200 fly- 97%, 100 fly- 93%, 400 IM- 91%. :blush:
I guess competition to me means putting pressure on myself to reach a certain standard. I used to train karate and our sensei insisted that we compete in the club's twice a year tournaments, and I hated it. Maybe I'm just not a competitive person, or I haven't found anything at which I'm good enough and secure in knowing I won't embarrass myself.
Elaine K and Swimosaur, to you the competition is fun. But you're both light years ahead of me in ability.:blush:
Ability is irrelevant if your goal is to go to meets and just have fun. There are some people on our team (Swimosaur is my witness on this!) who are horrible swimmers; however, they show up at all the meets to just enjoy the experience and have fun with their friends.
There is no reason to put pressure on yourself to reach a certain standard. Heck, I am lousy at 200 butterfly; it's my worst event! I have been "racing" it at all the meets I have competed in over the past couple of years, though, because I have set personal goals to improve in that event. I don't care that I come in last place, because I am not trying to beat anybody else. I'm just trying to improve.
On the 13th, I will be competing in my first Ironman Pentathlon. In a short one-day meet, I will be "racing" 400 IM AND 200 of each stroke. 200 fly is my last event, and my goal is to just complete it legally. My time will probably be 30 seconds slower than usual; but, I don't care what it is. I just want the satisfaction of knowing I can successfully complete this self challenge.
Denise, I'm not trying to talk you into or out of competing at meets; but, I hope you will consider it some time. You saw what Nationals was like when you met me there on Sunday. It was a BLAST for those of us who participated in the experience!
You don't have to be a great swimmer to participate in a meet-- even Nationals! I didn't make qualifying times this year, so I just swam three events, including 200 fly and 400 IM. I had so much fun at that meet, and I am VERY glad I participated.
Perhaps you can try a small local meet in your area or a Senior Games meet which usually draws swimmers at a lower level of ability (compared to USMS meets). Just see if you can go with the goal of meeting other swimmers and just having fun. Don't put any pressure on yourself!
Edit: Denise, if this makes you feel any better, I just figured out where I ranked in my age group for my various events in long course. These were my worst: 200 fly- 97%, 100 fly- 93%, 400 IM- 91%. :blush:
