I realize this question is niave, please go easy on me! :)
I don't have a background in competitive swimming and one of the things that confuses me is the contradiction between racing your own optimal pace and racing against the other swimmers in the pool. It seems like swimming with your own optimal pacing should always be your best option. The only exception I can think of is for a slower swimmer to use tactics which attempt to get a faster swimmer to blow their race. This doesn't seem to fit in with the general principles of masters swimming, so why do the higher level competitions seem to cater to it by seeding by other than time?
Parents
Former Member
When all is said and done, and you are coming down to the wire
shoulder to shoulder, hip to hip with the guy in the next lane,
and he is beating you into the finish, are you going to continue to "swim your own race", or are you going to compete with him?
Willl you "reel him in" or continue at your "optimal pacing"???
Trying to beat the guy in the next lane in last few yards is
what it is all about---it is the best way to reach your new personal records.........
When all is said and done, and you are coming down to the wire
shoulder to shoulder, hip to hip with the guy in the next lane,
and he is beating you into the finish, are you going to continue to "swim your own race", or are you going to compete with him?
Willl you "reel him in" or continue at your "optimal pacing"???
Trying to beat the guy in the next lane in last few yards is
what it is all about---it is the best way to reach your new personal records.........
