I like the article in swim Magazine about Rita Egan and Sylvia powell. These women are not your typical slim young swimmers that are elite swimmers but like the rest of us ordinary. Actually, given my previous background in swimming I'm also won of these average jills. As a youth I swam the 100 meter *** at 1:30 and as a 46 at 1:43.31. So, many of us do it for enjoyment and some exercise knowing that we will never be at the top of the pack. I think we should have more of these stories?. And Ion believe me you are not that bad. You did a 2:31 200 meter freestyle. I recently swam a 3:15. So don't feel bad and their is alot more competition in the men than in the women in 45 to 49. Not saying that their are not good swimmers in the women.
Former Member
For those who are curious, and Bill, please correct me if I miss something, I would like to add something to what's been said about producing Swim magazine. Kindly bear with me.
I take offense to pot-shots aimed at the content of this publication. It is not an easy job to plan a selection of balanced articles for each month's issue. The magazine tries to focus on articles which are relevant to all members of USMS, whether they are considered an elite swimmer (whatever that should be) or someone new to the organization. Due to the constraints of the size and cost, I believe that the publication endeavors to include "a little something" for everyone, therefore being inclusive of everyone. If Swim attempted to have "lots of everything for everyone," then it would probably end up being the size of a telephone book.
However, there is more to this planning process. One of the tasks given to the USMS Communications Committee is to review Swim to ensure its content meets the mission of USMS. It is not easy to sit down and very, very objectively review a given issue from a point of view of the general membership.
There's an old saying: you can't please everyone all of the time. Given the editorial and budget constaints, I believe Swim does a decent job. Yes, there are articles which are of no interest to me, but then, is there ever a magazine, newspaper, etc., that gives 100% customer satisfaction to the reader? I don't think so. Sigh! :confused:
Kindest regards,
Mark Hurley,
USMS Communications Committee
DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed by this writer are the opinions of this writer and not necessarily the opinions of the members of the Communications Committee.
Former Member
Well, I not swimming for awards. I had several awards from my childhood swimming that I had to get rid of because I moved to another state and didn't want to bring them because it was extra baggage. I regret getting rid of as many as I did now since I reentered the sport. Mainly, I swim for my health since this is one of the few exercises I would do 3 to 4 times a week. And its true that I can still swim breaststroke faster than most lap swimmers men or women that don't swim in a masters program in my age group.
Former Member
I was trying to be nice to Ion. Anyway, I weight a lot more than high school and Ion feels that I shoudn't swim masters because I don't weight around 130 pounds like I did at 18 years old. As for living up to expections I guess I should quit because I now swim a 1:43.31 breaststroke instead of times in 1:30 to 1:34 range like I did as a kid.
Former Member
Anyway, I drop time from around 47.12 to 46.17 in the 50 meter breaststroke, the last time I swam it. I made a big drop in the 100 meter *** from last summer from 1:53.10 to 1:43.31 and I did better at the 200 meter than the yard swim. I swam a 3:43 in the yard swim and did 3:58.07 in the 200 meter swim. And I did win the slowest heat in 200 meter freestyle with the 3:15.0 and the last time I swam 200 meter freestyle was back in the summer of 1974. So, some people think I should not swim since I only made two national qualifying times in breaststroke for my age group.
Former Member
OK . . .
I've broused this site for a couple of years. Seen many posts.
This is my first.
Someone needs to come out and say what we're all thinking: Ion's a freakin' idiot. We've all been too polite and too articulate to actually write it in public. This post will probably get me banned from here, but that's fine. I had to say it, so I just registered to do so.
Ion acts elite and above us all, but his times in the pool are nothing to get excited about. Which is fine, but Ion's attitude doesn't match his ability. Don't get me wrong. I have long admired Ion's spirit, knowledge, and accomplishments as a late bloomer. His perspective has even been useful once or twice.
But Ion now attacks overweight people who are trying to improve with exercise. Un-be-lievable. He also sees no value in our publication. Really!! Ion, are you that dense? Can you see no value in these things you rail on? Masters Swimming has improved lives in so many ways. Lighten up, dude!
Ion, if we're so far under you, just go away. Find some Olympic-type forum and maybe they'll appreciate you and admire you. Why are you hanging around us losers? You seem annoyed with masters swimmers and their varied opinions, so what's keeping you?
Ion, really. Go read your post again. You crossed the line. I've actually felt sorry for you after reading your crap for a couple of years and seeing you at Nats. Now you disgust me.
Sorry to the good folks who manage this site, as I know I've broken your rules. I can't help but think this reply is long overdue and for the good of this place as a whole.
Former Member
I have also said some dumb thing on some of the posts. Anyway, I probably would swam a little faster if I took off some of the pounds. I don't thing we should get upset with overweight people in swimming. At one time in my late 30's, I weight as much as 220 myself and now I'm in the 190 to 195 range at 46 years old.
Former Member
Originally posted by cinc310
I have also said some dumb thing on some of the posts. Anyway, I probably would swim a little faster if I took off some of the pounds. I don't thing we should get upset with overweight people in swimming. At one time in my late 30's, I weight as much as 220 myself and now I'm in the 190 to 195 range at 46 years old.
Former Member
c j, in one post you demonstrate your shortcomings:
(including by signing as c j: not much of a stand out in standing up for your own achievements, compared to ps, mn, cv, ja, and wk)
Originally posted by c j
...
Someone needs to come out and say what we're all thinking: Ion's a freakin' idiot.
...
Here:
Originally posted by c j
...
Ion acts elite and above us all, but his times in the pool are nothing to get excited about.
...
My times are outstanding for a late bloomer:
.) compare my times with your times, c g, er c m, er c v, er c o;
and
.) compare my times with late bloomers' times around.
Then, if you don't feel sorry for you, talk:
this is exciting and competitive, instead of the fluff you have.
Former Member
Well, you are a lot better freestyler than I'am. I'm better at breaststroke. All of us excel at different strokes and have different backgrounds. So, lets drop this thread since its causing people to get into an agrument.
Former Member
This comes from the opening post:
Originally posted by cinc310
...
And Ion believe me you are not that bad. You did a 2:31 200 meter freestyle.
...
Within minutes after finishing a 800 meter free, I did a 2:31 for 200 meter free on July 27, 2003 in an in-season meet in a 50 meter pool in La Jolla, preparing me for the 2003 Long Course Nationals.
I didn't go to the 2003 Long Course Nationals because I was strapped for money this year, but a 2:31 for 200 meter free in a 50 meter pool in an in-season competition, for me that's a promising time before tapering:
I was averaging 30,000 yards per week over 49 weeks of training, before tapering.
Are you referring to this 2:31, Cynthia?
If yes, how did you find it?
