Worthwhile Article That Was Lost in "The Fastest Age" Thread/Saga
Former Member
I put up this post in the "The Fastest Age" thread. I should have put it here in the first place so it would not get buried. Here's what I originally posted for those who might be interested.
To digress a bit if I may, the Baltimore Sun has been running a series of articles on Michael Phelps. On March 8, 2004, the paper ran an article The Measure of a Swimmer. You can access it by clicking here.
It's a fascinating story, IMHO, and I thought that I would share it with my friends in the USMS Forum. Unfortunately, the underwater pictures, which were in color, are not included in the article. They were especially great. It was good to see Doc Counsilman mentioned in the article, too. I submit this article only for your reading interest and not for debate.
Kindest regards,
Mark
Parents
Former Member
Aswesome article!
Thank you for bringing it into focus.
I agree wholeheartedly about the 'feel for the water'...
Since I started swimming, I noticed that a lot of accomplished swimmers, and a lot of masters swimmers who are really dedicated to it tend to have some intuitive artistic and creative ability.
From Bil Volckening article about how swimming reelates to art, to knowing that that Cahd Carvin likes to make pottery, and few other instances, (I can't recall the details clearly enough to quote them).
I find this 'artistic edge' an interesting angle (in addiotion to training, technique and conditioning). I really thing there is something to it. Even in my insignificant little case... I already know I have aristic ability (even sculpture). Once I was asked if I feel 'talented' in swimming, and I answered, yes, I think so. This was not because of my athletic ability, biut because I'm very aware of the feel of the water.
Most often I still can't get my body to do what I'd like it to do, but I can always tell what's going on. Sometimes I wonder wehen people say that laps can get boring... I wonder, how can they??? Your whole body is on sensory overload going through the water, I'm usually to busy feeling my way through it to think of much anything else.
Much like when I draw or paint or make sculptures, I get so engrossed in it, that I don't notice a whole lot of anything else around me.
Now, if I could only get my body to do what I would like it to do....
Aswesome article!
Thank you for bringing it into focus.
I agree wholeheartedly about the 'feel for the water'...
Since I started swimming, I noticed that a lot of accomplished swimmers, and a lot of masters swimmers who are really dedicated to it tend to have some intuitive artistic and creative ability.
From Bil Volckening article about how swimming reelates to art, to knowing that that Cahd Carvin likes to make pottery, and few other instances, (I can't recall the details clearly enough to quote them).
I find this 'artistic edge' an interesting angle (in addiotion to training, technique and conditioning). I really thing there is something to it. Even in my insignificant little case... I already know I have aristic ability (even sculpture). Once I was asked if I feel 'talented' in swimming, and I answered, yes, I think so. This was not because of my athletic ability, biut because I'm very aware of the feel of the water.
Most often I still can't get my body to do what I'd like it to do, but I can always tell what's going on. Sometimes I wonder wehen people say that laps can get boring... I wonder, how can they??? Your whole body is on sensory overload going through the water, I'm usually to busy feeling my way through it to think of much anything else.
Much like when I draw or paint or make sculptures, I get so engrossed in it, that I don't notice a whole lot of anything else around me.
Now, if I could only get my body to do what I would like it to do....
