Is there really a division between masters swimmers? i.e. one camp allied to a more low key fitness oriented approach with low membership growth vs. a meet oriented competitive (elite) camp?
This sounds ridiculous to me. I don't think I've ever run into anyone that acknowledged this debate on a pool deck.
What spawns this rift in Masters swimming? Is this an old guard vs. younger member phenonmenon?
Are there different motivations that exist that create this conflict in terms of the future of USMS? Why can't both coexist?
I say we poll some people out there and find out what they support.
John Smith
Parents
Former Member
Kristina, my dear former sprinter turned distance swimmer, wow! You should be super proud of yourself for even attempting a 12.5 mile swim. I won't even run that far anymore. Good for you!!! I told Fortress I was thinking of doing a 500 and we both think I've lost my mind .... so good luck and congrats! When is the 12.5 miler?
Well, that makes two of us. I won't run 12.5 miles either! Ick!
It's the swim around key west open water event (USMS sanctioned too!) this June. Goal is to 1. show up 2. attempt it.
If I finish, that's a bonus. I plan NOT to race it. Just enjoy the nice view (as we are supposed to be able to see the bottom for most of the swim.) Oh, and make sure I hydrate and feed properly.
Thank you SO much for your encouragement. And like I said, Donna is a great motivator too! I read the Lynne Cox book a few years ago, and that really planted the seed.
You can so do the 500 free. Truly, it's a great event for sprinters who want to try a distance event that is not too terribly daunting. I remember thinking - 500 free or 1650. How on earth do you swim a 1650? I have no idea. So, I chose the 500. The 500 can be a fun event (nice and smooth) or painful (if you try and sprint it). So choose your poison.
So for example, here were my mistakes in the set this morning as a sprinter.
6x500
1 to 3 descend and pull - I descended but coach got mad b/c I had NO IDEA what my times were
4 - no free (did fly/ back by 25s)
5 - free swim/ build by 100s - now I was learning I really better look at the clock as steam was coming out of coach's ears
6 - for time fast - did 5:41 but went out at 1:04 - coach said to be more patient the first 100. She said I held 9s for the rest of it. I can see the drop off. I think that we sprinters are just a very hopeful, optimistic bunch. Frankly, I want to go out in a 4 and hold that for the rest of the way.
A patient sprinter?! Ha! What an oxymoron.
But, I really think you'd experience a super sense of accomplishment for showing up and attempting it. (My thing is I need to make it to the block!) :joker:
Kristina, my dear former sprinter turned distance swimmer, wow! You should be super proud of yourself for even attempting a 12.5 mile swim. I won't even run that far anymore. Good for you!!! I told Fortress I was thinking of doing a 500 and we both think I've lost my mind .... so good luck and congrats! When is the 12.5 miler?
Well, that makes two of us. I won't run 12.5 miles either! Ick!
It's the swim around key west open water event (USMS sanctioned too!) this June. Goal is to 1. show up 2. attempt it.
If I finish, that's a bonus. I plan NOT to race it. Just enjoy the nice view (as we are supposed to be able to see the bottom for most of the swim.) Oh, and make sure I hydrate and feed properly.
Thank you SO much for your encouragement. And like I said, Donna is a great motivator too! I read the Lynne Cox book a few years ago, and that really planted the seed.
You can so do the 500 free. Truly, it's a great event for sprinters who want to try a distance event that is not too terribly daunting. I remember thinking - 500 free or 1650. How on earth do you swim a 1650? I have no idea. So, I chose the 500. The 500 can be a fun event (nice and smooth) or painful (if you try and sprint it). So choose your poison.
So for example, here were my mistakes in the set this morning as a sprinter.
6x500
1 to 3 descend and pull - I descended but coach got mad b/c I had NO IDEA what my times were
4 - no free (did fly/ back by 25s)
5 - free swim/ build by 100s - now I was learning I really better look at the clock as steam was coming out of coach's ears
6 - for time fast - did 5:41 but went out at 1:04 - coach said to be more patient the first 100. She said I held 9s for the rest of it. I can see the drop off. I think that we sprinters are just a very hopeful, optimistic bunch. Frankly, I want to go out in a 4 and hold that for the rest of the way.
A patient sprinter?! Ha! What an oxymoron.
But, I really think you'd experience a super sense of accomplishment for showing up and attempting it. (My thing is I need to make it to the block!) :joker:
