I feel a little like our old friend Ion Beza. He always complains about the age groups that he swam in and how unfair it is. Anyway, I saw the NT's for my age group and in the 100's there were 2 second drops from last year and in the 200's 4 seconds drop. Anyway, it drives home on how medicroe I am and worst in my middle age than my youth. Granted, I can swim butterfly better than last year but the best stroke breaststroke hasn't improved since last summer. Anyone else feel the same way. I know that in your middle years swimming should be more of an exercise and I don't want the shoulder operations or knee prpblems that some master swimmers had.
Former Member
Oh am I glad to see this discussion...that there are others who are serious about swimming but just don't go that fast. I just three months ago started swimming again at age 50 after six years with no swimming at all (living overseas)...and am already back up to 1.5k but it takes me time.
And so I haven't had the courage to show up at the masters training because it seems they are all stars!
What's been helpful from this board is all the discussion about doing intervals and discussion with the lifeguards...swimming has changed so much since I learned in the 60s and it seems to be time to take some lessons again to improve my strokes.
I am a horrible swimmer. I started swimming (at age 40) because injuries put an end to my daily running habit. These injuries actually affect my swimming, too. I recently had a third procedure on my foot, which will mean no flutter kicks for at least a couple months. Eight weeks on crutches have left other joints pretty unhappy, too. I will probably do nothing but sidestroke until these things are under control.
This much I can say: I can do sidestroke on either side.
My breaststroke is not too bad, either, though I put no energy into the start of the stroke (outward scull, as technicians might say) -- or else my shoulders will make eerie crunching sounds. My head does go under water. Unless, of course, I am carrying on a conversation with my lane buddy, the octogenarian heart-attack survivor, as he passes me.
Butterfly is out of the question.
Eventually, I'd like to learn how to do a decent front crawl. I had two lessons last year, during which my instructor noted my bad body positioning, overcrossing, early breathing, plus 72 other things that I scribbled on an emergency flotation device. I think I drove him to suicide, poor guy.
If you see me watching the pace clock, it's because I'm checking my pulse. First priority is to make sure I still have one.
Originally posted by Scansy
How many USMS members compete and how many just do it for the exercise? Does anyone know?
The USMS website says it's less than half of the members that compete.
Lookingat our ow team, assuming it may represent a cross section of USMS, I gather that about 40% of the members compete, and only 20% compete on regular basis, if that many.
Out of 100+ members, there have been meets where only 4-5 of us are there. Other times, we have a showing of 30+ at a regional meet.
For me, I do it for the exercise. Being that I'm competetive by nature, I use competition as a tool to keep motivates, and also, as a good measure of progress.
I'm still much slower that the rest of the people in my age group, butthat doesn't phase me much, because, most of them have either swam as kids or in college, and have a lot of the technique down, or they've been swimming actively (and are in much bettershape) than I am at the moment, after only swimming for 5 months. Looking at *them*, and getting discouraged would be like a caterpillar being upset it's not a butterfly yet. Makes no sense, and it's counterproductive.
This is where some focus on well defined short term goals can help you from getting distracted and getting down on yourself.
Always do the best that YOU can. And remember that your best can vary from one day to another.
As for other people... thereare so many variables involved, that you can't really compare yourself to others, and do either one a justice.
The way I see it competition is a way to stretch yourself, not to show that you're better than someone else.
Well, okay, I'm stepping off the soapbox now! :)
I too am in the dreaded, late baby boomer age groups. The good news is that USMS was well established when we got into it, and we have benefitted from all the hard work of the Masters swimming pioneers who went before us. The bad news is so did all the other folks our age who were also world or national class swimmers when we were younger.
Check out the cover of Swim magazine. The Jan-Feb cover-girl, Caroline Krattli, was pushing Tracy Caulkins as a teen; now she owns Masters world records. Don't even get me started about the Men's 40's age groups. Sometimes it seems like the same set of about 15 of the usual suspects consistently come up with 10 quality swims (if not more) each and every year that put the NQT outta sight for we dedicated, but mere mortals. Bottom line on NQT's: talent rules. If you had it as a youngster, you're in there. If you didn't, you're not.
HOWEVER, who cares? As Aqua Geek pointed out, you can swim three events at Nationals without an NQT. Moreover, the big regional meets are getting more competitive, and you will find 10-20 folks in your age bracket contesting your event. There is plenty of competition out there if you accept your challenges as they come.
Finally, to circle back to my original point, isn't it wonderful that we get to be part of such a healthy USMS organization? Moreover, just how "bad" are we? Most of us do things in a routine workout that 99.99% of the population could not even dream of attempting. If you want to stare at the names at the top of the list and give yourself an inferiority complex, go ahead. But, anyone, with the possible exception of Michael Phelps or Ian Thorpe, will be able to find someone who makes them look slow by comparison. A healthy view of your talent is to recognize BOTH the gap between you and the Masters record holder, and the gap between you and the side-stroking water aerobics crowd. BOTH are a reflection of reality.
So quite grousing already, and learn to appreciate the sublime beauty of your own well rested butterfly (before the piano falls on your back).
Matt
The only way to lose that feeling of intimidation is to train and compete head-to-head with the fast swimmers. Also, there is nothing like a big meet to keep your motivation high.
Swimming back and forth 200 laps or so a day gets old without some serious motivation. I think everyone should swim in meets, they are fun and give a real sense of accomplishment, regardless of how you place.
I am a masters swimmer. But I swim 85% for excerise. I also swim 15% competion. But I do not qualify for any of the N Q T , S. But you know what , It does not stop me from competeing. I look at it this way . We all cannot be world champs. Some will go faster and some will go slower. But when you have heart and desire , and no matter how you swim . Then you are a CHAMP. Happy NEW YEAR to All. DOM. A
OK, so here is my question. How is it looked upon at Nationals when someone like me shows up to swim? I have to admit, I AM intimidated by these people. Not at regular meets, but Nationals sounds like a whole different animal!
That said, I may or may not go. Have not decided, I am close enough it would be easy, I know people who are going, and one 60 year old friend could probably really use my support, so I might go just to be there for her.
I do try to just try to improve my own times, my own strokes and try new things. I am looking at doing a 400 IM and 100 fly in my next meet. For someone who could not swim a 25 4 years ago, that is OK!
Originally posted by dorothyrd
I know people who are going, and one 60 year old friend could probably really use my support, so I might go just to be there for her.
Before I even started swimming, I wentto several of the meets that my best froend competed in (she's really really good, in the national top 10).
By the time I finally started swimming, it was really not a big deal.
The only thing I was worried about was that maybe it wasn't my place to go to a meet, being that I was a beginner.
After the meet, I realized that even at my slowness (I'm talking a minute for a 50 free in 30-34 age group) I managed to pick up a few points for my team, and that the coach was able to put together couple relays (also picked up points) that most likely would not have existed, I realized that no matter how small my 2c were, it was a tiny bit better better than if I hadn't been there at all.
That was encouraging.
Importance of little contributions is all too often overlooked.
I just have read some threads on these forums where there is a little bit of griping about Nationals being too big, and it sounded a little like there was some people who would like the times to be more restrictive and not allow non NQT. That is probably a small percentage.
I think Illinois Masters has plenty of people to pick for relays, lots and lots of very fast people, so I doubt if I would be needed for that. Having Nationals so close makes it tempting to attend, even if for one day. I even thought about offering my services to the volunteers just so I could see what it was like. I am very good at running the computers at the age group meets, but they probably have their people all set for that.
You do not have to have a qualifying time to swim at Nationals. Regardless of your times, taking the time to train and compete at Nationals is the highlight of my year.
