How many different types of warmup creatures are there? OF course they are always someone else, none of us could possibly be so selfish as to be a detriment in a crowded warmup pool at nationals or some championship meet.
I have a few to start:
Guess what I am going to do? This one swims to the flags fairly normally but begins to slow down, commensurately as much as you want to start a 50 or some other timed swim when the coast is clear. The closer they get to the wall, the slower they go. Hugging the lane line, as if to end a brutal, 50 second 25. 1 or 2 yards from the wall, they lift their head out of the water to get a sighting on the bleachers or someone on deck, perhaps Walmart. Surely they are going to stop. But NOOO. they dunk their head back into the water millimeters from hitting the wall with it and perform a type of flip turn better called a slow motion tumble of limbs akimbo. It is true theater.
Oblivious Masters swimming has all different speeds and types of swimmers, but this one seems not to recognize that there are other (about 15)swimmers in the lane and swim accordingly. Right down the middle. Then decide to palaver with friends, associates and anyone within earshot while hanging on the wall. Right in front of the turning target. Then are either surprised or righteously indignant when someone (probably me) has the temerity to attempt a turn where they are holding court.
i blame the coaches for these poor warmup activities. While preparing their swimmers for races, they need to prepare them also for warmup and give the best practices, not allow the worst.
My favorite has to be the :censor: that literally swam OVER me in a crowded warm up lane. I too was stuck behind someone slower than myself, and I was patiently waiting to pass them at the wall! And, no, he wasn't swimming backstroke, it was on purpose.
In my part of the world, we call those people "sprinters" :P
or they call themselves -> tri-athletes
i dont know what to call them, but, in usms we now have lanes reserved for over65. please, if you are over 65, dont get in lane 4/5 and start doing *** stroke!
or they call themselves -> tri-athletes
i dont know what to call them, but, in usms we now have lanes reserved for over65. please, if you are over 65, dont get in lane 4/5 and start doing *** stroke!
Whoa there-- I know some amazing 65 & overs & they're welcome to be any lane as far as I'm concerned. We all know where to swim in our masters workouts... being placed in a lane based on your age sounds a little weird.
My favorite has to be the :censor: that literally swam OVER me in a crowded warm up lane.
I experienced it all at Worlds-- and had the bruises to show for it. :shakeshead: :censor:Usually when someone swims over you, into you, or frantically thrashes you by it means they are swimming for their lives being chased by something crocodilian, or a leopard seal, shark, even a school of piranha. Means you should get the :censor: out and do the same :)
"The Blender"
I don't swim at USMS meets (yet), but I see a few of this breed at the pool where I swim, and work as a lifeguard. I can only imagine they do this at meets too. This breed walks across the deck to the end of an empty lane. Sets down his (and it's usually a "he") training devices. Adjusts his goggles and then performs a tremendous aerial leap into the water, feet-first (shallow end), bounces two or three times into the air, and churns up epic amounts of water. Then, without hesitation, dives directly into an intensely rapid crawl stroke to complete his first 50 meters. But his next lap is suddenly very slow and methodic. He'll swim a few laps of all strokes, but "The Blender's" complete workout consists of about a whopping 400 meters.
Dan
"The Blender"
I don't swim at USMS meets (yet), but I see a few of this breed at the pool where I swim, and work as a lifeguard. I can only imagine they do this at meets too. This breed walks across the deck to the end of an empty lane. Sets down his (and it's usually a "he") training devices. Adjusts his goggles and then performs a tremendous aerial leap into the water, feet-first (shallow end), bounces two or three times into the air, and churns up epic amounts of water. Then, without hesitation, dives directly into an intensely rapid crawl stroke to complete his first 50 meters. But his next lap is suddenly very slow and methodic. He'll swim a few laps of all strokes, but "The Blender's" complete workout consists of about a whopping 400 meters.
Dan
In my part of the world, we call those people "sprinters" :P
"The Blender"
I don't swim at USMS meets (yet), but I see a few of this breed at the pool where I swim, and work as a lifeguard. I can only imagine they do this at meets too. This breed walks across the deck to the end of an empty lane. Sets down his (and it's usually a "he") training devices. Adjusts his goggles and then performs a tremendous aerial leap into the water, feet-first (shallow end), bounces two or three times into the air, and churns up epic amounts of water. Then, without hesitation, dives directly into an intensely rapid crawl stroke to complete his first 50 meters. But his next lap is suddenly very slow and methodic. He'll swim a few laps of all strokes, but "The Blender's" complete workout consists of about a whopping 400 meters.
Dan
Add 30 minutes of kicking and this is me. The shallow jumps are good practice for cliff jumping
Whoa there-- I know some amazing 65 & overs & they're welcome to be any lane as far as I'm concerned. We all know where to swim in our masters workouts... being placed in a lane based on your age sounds a little weird.
Sunruh wasn't talking about those over 65's. The "amazing" over 65's (such as King Frog and his caliber) don't belong in that lane either, because they are too fast! He was referring to the over 65 lane at USMS Nationals that is really meant for the older swimmers who are slow and belong in that lane (and know they belong in that lane.) The last thing they would want to do is get run down by a bunch of "kids" in the faster lanes! :afraid:
You aren't required to be in that lane if you are over 65; however, you aren't allowed to be in that lane if you are UNDER 65-- especially if you are fast! That lane is reserved for the older, slower swimmers if they want to use it. Considering how crowded the lanes get during Nationals, I look forward to being able to use a less-populated lane if I'm slow enough to be in it!
Whoa there-- I know some amazing 65 & overs & they're welcome to be any lane as far as I'm concerned. We all know where to swim in our masters workouts... being placed in a lane based on your age sounds a little weird.
whoa there is right, clearly you have not been to usms nationals.
