Should I feel bad about winning?

RE: Should I feel bad about winning?

Former Member — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 16:06:28 GMT

Performance in swimming at any given meet is always relative to that of the other swimmers who are there. The only kind of performance that is not relative is when you set a world record. Should Ervin and Hall feel guilty about sharing a gold medal in 50m freestyle at the 2000 Olympics because they didn't beat the world record time Alexander Popov had set in that event earlier that year? Popov was swimming against them in the final heat, but on that particular day, he didn't swim his world record time, nor did he swim a time that was as fast as theirs.

RE: Should I feel bad about winning?

Former Member — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 12:57:09 GMT

Congratulations. No, you shouldn't feel bad about winning - unless there was some cheating involved.

RE: Should I feel bad about winning?

Former Member — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 12:29:51 GMT

Naw, enjoy it. There may come a time when you come in dead last in an event, but you'll have swam your fastest time. You should enjoy that too.

RE: Should I feel bad about winning?

tjrpatt — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 12:28:00 GMT

Enjoy the vistory. I seem to win in my age groups at local meets in some events but in my area, there are some fast women in my area and they seem to win the races. I will get to their level one of these days.

RE: Should I feel bad about winning?

Former Member — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 11:39:36 GMT

No. You showed up and competed and others didn't. Half the battle is making up your mind that you are going to do it and then following through. You did. Congrats. -LBJ

RE: Should I feel bad about winning?

hrietz — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 09:00:25 GMT

YES definitely enjoy it. I won two events last year at Y Nats. This year I went faster (best times) in those events but was second in them. Both were satisfying but I think that going my best times this year was more rewarding...

RE: Should I feel bad about winning?

Former Member — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 08:44:42 GMT

Originally posted by aquageek Very interesting question. I was at a meet recently where I won every event I entered for my age group but would have only been third in those same events in both the age group above and below me. So, I recognized I was not the fastest at the meet but was the fastest that day in my age group. I took my award, smiled and went home. You should probably feel good about what you did. Next time to level the playing field, wear a clown suit to slow yourself down. Take pity on those your smoked! I wonder if those big red feet act as fins?

RE: Should I feel bad about winning?

Former Member — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 08:28:38 GMT

Enjoy it! I am basking in the glory of my only year in the 19-24 age group ... reality hits next year when there are more women swimming the events than there are awards ... darn them! So train hard and enjoy the fact that you swam well! One of the things I love most about swimming is competition. But I love doing my best. Winning medals or ribbons or placing in an event (or all of them) is the icining on the cake. I race my heat like it's the most important race ever and I am the fastest swimmer ever, I use my competition to swim faster but really I am racing my own PB's and the clock.

RE: Should I feel bad about winning?

aquageek — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 08:26:33 GMT

Very interesting question. I was at a meet recently where I won every event I entered for my age group but would have only been third in those same events in both the age group above and below me. So, I recognized I was not the fastest at the meet but was the fastest that day in my age group. I took my award, smiled and went home. You should probably feel good about what you did. Next time to level the playing field, wear a clown suit to slow yourself down. Take pity on those your smoked!

RE: Should I feel bad about winning?

Former Member — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 07:14:03 GMT

Swimmerguy, Absolutely not. I just swam at the Indy Nationals myself, and took home a single National Championship in the women's 19-24 50 backstroke (although I placed well in all 6 of my events). I can easily leave out the fact that I was the only one in my age group actually swimming this event. I could have finished the 50 backstroke in 5 minutes if I wanted to, and would have still been the National Champ for that event. But what I take pride in with it is that my time of 31.08 is a personal best-ever, even faster than my best high school time several years ago. What events did you win? We have a 30-34 age grouper on our team that is a phenom, and he did relatively well at this meet too. Congrats on the 1st places! Stephanie, SEWY masters team member

RE: Should I feel bad about winning?

ande — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 06:51:05 GMT

NO stand proud be truthful and humble tell us more what did you do which events what times be sure you're friends know the details so they can do your braggin for you and you can sit there and go ah shucks and stop it ande Originally posted by Swimmerguy I am 30 and this past recently became ymca national champion in 3 events. Here is my problem. The times I posted were far from blazing. I just got back into swimming last fall and it just turned out that the competition for my age group in this particular year was not strong. I know that this will not happen again. Should I just enjoy the victory as it is? I feel guilty saying I am a national champ knowing older age groups were tougher competition? How would you feel? Thanks

RE: Should I feel bad about winning?

Former Member — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 06:46:00 GMT

If you feel questionable about this, imagine how the guys you beat in your age group feel! I wouldn't have even considered questioning the accomplishment. When I was in 8th grade, they gave out a $50 savings bond to the top academic boy and top academic girl graduating in the class that year. I won it. Other kids in the class tried to tell me that if another kid (who had left the school in 6th grade) had graduated with us, he would have won it instead. My response was, "Maybe, but he ain't here now. And either way, you still wouldn't have won it, so why should I worry about your opinion..." And then I ran over to my parents and showed them my new savings bond! Anyone looking up the meet results will see your name at the top of the list for your events. Revel in that. And please accept my heartiest congratulations. Had I been there and had I been 30 and had I done the times I used to do when I was 30, your name would still be at the top.

RE: Should I feel bad about winning?

aztimm — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 04:23:53 GMT

Agree with the rest, enjoy it while you can. When I first started masters swimming, I swam my 1st meet at 29 years old (a LCM meet), and was shocked that not only did I win some events, but set/broke some team records. Unfortunately, I've come back to reality now that I'm in the 35-39 age group.

RE: Should I feel bad about winning?

Jeff Commings — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 01:27:35 GMT

Enjoy the victories while you get them. I speak from experience when I say you will look back on them with pride when/if the pack starts to creep up on you, and in some cases, pass you!

RE: Should I feel bad about winning?

Former Member — Tue, 26 Apr 2005 14:17:19 GMT

Oh my gosh, NO! Enjoy the victory--unless you are Catholic and then the guilt thing is like breathing. I would think as long as you don't blast your success in everyone's face then I would be excited for you! Congrats!