Enjoyed the articles about us ordinary people

Thanks to Paul for being a voice of reason, as usual. Long ago I learned there are positive ions and negative ions... Ion, Laineybug is really onto something, and you'd be smart to not look the other way. That's the best advice you'll ever get, and free. Quite a deal. I'm really trying to find common ground with you, Ion. If only to repair the tone I'm afraid I created a couple of days ago . . . I really can see your point about varying degrees of substance in SWIM's articles. Some are meatier than others. I'm with you in that I'm much more interested in reading about the science of our sport, repeats that Phelps could hold this year, or sets used by Specht to taper. However, the "fluff" is useful too. Perhaps not for us, but for the majority of USMS members (recall, that same majority who have no interest in competition and times). Those are the kind of topics and writing that catch the eye of the fitness swimmer who needs a different kind of motivation. Oh well. So many have tried to make this point to no avail. I feel I'm rambling needlessly, and will now shut up.

Boy, take a few days off and come back to find that Ion has managed to "spice" things up again rather quickly. Forget top 10 in swimming, Ion is #1 with no challengers at getting people worked up (must be all that time he spent in France :D First, to Swim magazines coverage; I for one enjoy seeing a variety of articles that encompass the diversity that is Masters Swimming. Having had the pleasure of swimming with close to 50 different teams around the US the last few years the vast majority and the true "heart and soul" of our sport, are the masses that rarely compete and are there for fitness and the joy that comes through moving through the water and they warrant coverage even more so than the "elite" competitive swimmers. If anyone wants more information on "elite" training, results, etc. etc. there's plenty of resources from the different magazines, websites, books, videos, etc. not just Swim. As for my not swimming LC this year it has nothing to do with sponsorships (been there, done that, moved on years and years ago), rather I was enjoying my time trying to chase my wife on on our road bikes (never could catch her). Masters is one of many things I/we enjoy doing, I LOVE to race but I also find pleasure/meaning in non athletic/competitive endeavors!

Originally posted by c j ... Ion, Laineybug is really onto something, and you'd be smart to not look the other way. That's the best advice you'll ever get, and free. Quite a deal. ... She is onto zero vision to what I do: .) in swimming, who has done what I do as a late bloomer and is training to improve more? Laineybug, with her shortcomings? .) in languages, who speaks Romanian, French, English and German, and is improving in German? Laineybug, with her shortcomings? .) in U.S., who is selected to U.S. based on skills in mathematics and Engineering that are in demand in U.S. but not found in local Laineybugs? Laineybug? What her posts show, is that it's easy to be born somewhere and be almost stale within the local stereotypes of the place. "C'est des boeufs.", that's what a Frenchman here, was telling me recently. I guess, is a little more competitive at the standards at which people like me are brought in to live. Challenge that I created and that I welcome for my goals. Hence, a similar standard of achievement by Swim magazine could be a match: like in being knowledgeable about late bloomers who are competitive amongst lifelong racers. But there is no match: Swim magazine has not many clues, and is mostly a waste. As I stated in page two of this thread, Swim magazine doesn't bother my achieving because my achieving never depended on the Swim magazine, but it depended and it does depend on goals that I had prior to knowing that Swim magazine does exist. I discuss the lack of expertise in adult swimming by Swim magazine, because it is the subject at hand in this thread. Craig (i.e.: gull80) has many valid points about adult swimming, in his last two posts.

Ion, I've tried to come down a couple of notches and reason with you. I've tried to find common ground. I've admitted my own fault and invited intellegent discussion. Ion, I'm beginning to think you're a hoax. No one I've ever met is as out of touch as you. Are you really a normal person who poses as this antagonistic pest? Do you have any real friends? Social life? Relationships with your teammates, or more importantly, someone OUTSIDE of swimming and work? Have you ever admitted any fault, or that someone else just might have a valid point of view? Has anyone sat and had a beer with you and actually agreed with any of your extreme views? Who? Or do they just dismiss you at workouts and meets as some wierdo? ? Laineybug is not speaking local stereotypes (whatever that means), but is giving the best professional advice. And Ion, you're NOT really competitive. Not close. I hope you get there someday, and with your spunk, you might. I'm not saying this to "one up" you or compare. It's just that you make some bold statements for someone in the middle of the pack. Even as much as late bloomers go, I've trained with a few triathletes in three cities who could top your 2:30 200M on a good day (one is a female), and they took up swimming seriously in their 30s. My point is that you are not qualified to make the judgments you are making.

.) in languages, who speaks Romanian, French, English and German, and is improving in German? If that's how you see it, how about a little effort towards improving in English? But is not. Sorry folks, I had to do more than just say it out loud while reading his latest post...

Convince me: you try to speak English as this being your main and only one language, right Barky?

Originally posted by c j ... Ion, I'm beginning to think you're a hoax. ... You mean you are going to introduce your name soon in order for me to verify you? It's overdue, regarding who is a hoax.

This thread has gotten out of control. The powers that be should closed it off. Anyway, Ion in California you should have learned Spanish, it helps better there than either French or German.

I wanted to say I liked articles about overweight women that are middle aged that are about 10 to 15 years older than me. I should have never mention Ion name in the first place.

CJ, unlike Ion I had a very humbing experiance as a kid swimming on a team with Shirley Babashoff. A person like that reminds you on how average you really are when they could beat you from 10 seconds plus in any stroke in a 100 meter swim.