Ion

Ion, I think that you might have stumbled onto something important in your statement: "As for me being an "...average Joe..." in swimming, ex age-group swimmers aside but considering late starters, I am better than an "...average Joe..." . . . I think that many folks in Masters' Swimming don't want to be the proverbial "average Joe." That's why they are constantly improving themselves, be it better stroke technique or that faster time in an event. Certainly, this is what Masters' Swimming is all about . . . improving one's personal best. And, I dare say that many later-starters many even see this as more of a challenge as they never had the advantage of being an age group swimmers. By and large, the information exchanged in this forum is worth its weight in gold (or whatever is valuable). And at times, things seem to get a bit crazy, but I would hope that everyone will keep on contributing. Regards, Mark in MD PS For those attending Cleveland, I wish everyone the best.

Ion, I think that you might have stumbled onto something important in your statement: "As for me being an "...average Joe..." in swimming, ex age-group swimmers aside but considering late starters, I am better than an "...average Joe..." . . . I think that many folks in Masters' Swimming don't want to be the proverbial "average Joe." That's why they are constantly improving themselves, be it better stroke technique or that faster time in an event. Certainly, this is what Masters' Swimming is all about . . . improving one's personal best. And, I dare say that many later-starters many even see this as more of a challenge as they never had the advantage of being an age group swimmers. By and large, the information exchanged in this forum is worth its weight in gold (or whatever is valuable). And at times, things seem to get a bit crazy, but I would hope that everyone will keep on contributing. Regards, Mark in MD PS For those attending Cleveland, I wish everyone the best.