Elite vs. Fitness

But we all know that being on top is a temporary pass; it has to be passed to another later on. no trail blazing is left in me. I, too, still meet those prima donnas you speak of. Donna A jerk is a jerk is a jerk if they are dissing other striving swimmers, whether they are 20 or 100. Jerks seem to come in all ages and sizes. In "masters" swimming, though, it seems you can stay on top for awhile. Look at Allen, swimming since 25. And the Smiths. And Ande. And Karlyn. Seems like there's no stopping them. Whereas allergies and shoulder problems seem to stop me dead in my tracks... And, Donna, I agree with Heather, you were definitely elite when you were younger and an Olympian. (I think Heather's definition of making trail cuts is a good definition of elite for USS swimmers.) You are also an elite masters swimmer because you've placed in the Top 10 at a national meet. Top 10 seems pretty "elite," whatever that term technically means. Plus, I think you still have some "trail blazing" to do on the forum and in the ocean. :rofl: Anyone who swims 18 miles or works hard or tries to compete is tops in my book. And competitions are not just for sprinters, Richjb. :thhbbb: Many sprinters like myself admire distance junkies and secretly wish we could do it. Although I guess I have also heard distance swimmers say they wish they were sprinters. I guess mutual admiration works well and is the best policy. So just don't be calling us sprinters "turners" instead of "swimmers" and we'll all be good.:thhbbb:

Just wanted to include those non-pro swimmers. I'd say Olympic trials cuts would make one elite - we could argue on the semantics for ages ... I hope that at 90 you are still WALKING to the beach for your 3 mile swims. That's a better goal, don't you think? 70 is still young! I have as much, if not more, respect for the adult learners that swim meets and do tough events (400IM, 200 of any stroke, the 1650, etc) and have fun as I do for those that set records left and right ... AND ANYONE who even thinks about swimming 18 miles and trains for it is elite in my book ...

Donna, there are definitely elite swimmers - the Coughlins, Phelps, Crockers, and Sandenos of the world ... I wouldn't classify it simply by $$ though, I'd put all the A & B finalist from Nationals, Worlds, NCAAs, Olympics, etc in that group whether or not they are making $$$. It takes some darn fast times to final at any of those meets. By the by Donna, I'd put you into that group when you were swimming USS. What about the masters elite though? The swimmers that go to worlds (masters worlds) and win or go top 3, break masters world or national records? I think we can have elite swimmers and elite masters swimmers .... like the John and Paul Smiths of the world ... those are some impressive times those guys put up ... it must a longhorn thing ...

As a 20 something I feel inclined to respond ... We have the biggest range of ability on my team. We have some very, very fast people and some people that are adult learners and come to a couple of practices a week and swim no where near 4K (they might not make 2K). You know what I am glad that each and every one of them comes. As Paul as said again and again, it's masters for cryin' out loud. I am super competitive so I am constantly working to be one of the fastest girls on the team (and fastest people period). Anyone that judges you by your ability or speed in the pool isn't worth your time. Please do not think that they represent masters or even the 20 year old age groups. Also, the 40-44 and 45-49 year age groups are riddiculous. The fastest female time in the 100 last year at state (IL) came from a woman in her 40s - she went a 51. She would have placed in every one of the men's age groups - and been 2nd in her age group for men!!

For me when I now walk to the beach I swim 40 strokes one way and 40 strokes the other way, then I hobble back to pool on the beach and sun myself for an hour to rest and that proves I am not Elite but maybe unique.

5000 yards in one hour--that's elite. The record in my age group is 5500. I suspect it will take over 4800 to place in the top ten. Just wait until Jeff Erwin and Mike Shaffer age up!

Just wait until Jeff Erwin and Mike Shaffer age up! I don't think they'll ever slow down. I swam the hour swim at the same time as Jeff a couple years ago and he is like a machine. He was reeling off 3 laps for my 2.

Ensignada, I loved your reply to this post. I want you to think about something as you continue to swim with a handful of swimmers who may think they are elite, whatever that is to some. Sometimes, a swimmer with "attitude" only has that attitude because they are big fish in a little pond. Humility is usually learned when they have to swim with big fish in a big pond. You will make more progress faster than they will now for they may be close to their peak performances. As you continue your journey toward fitness and faster swimming, and you do lane change, it is always obvious to others. And if and when you continue to move up and change lanes, you will be able to add appreciation and humility to the faster lane. Something that others in the slower lanes will very much appreciate. I have only encountered two fast swimmers with "attitude" in the years that I used to swim Masters. And the beauty of this "attitude" is there Is someone out there much faster. No one stays on the podium in first place for long; not in sports. Donna

That's for all the support. I made no comment to the younger swimmers because I realize that they have yet to get into the meat of life. I'm very happy with my age and my goals. When I feel I'm ready to train with a team, I'll do it. (If the younger ones give me too much guff, I'll just change in front of them and scare them with my stretch marks!)

Ensignada, I am with you, a group hug coming from Roatan. I have also had a bad experience from a group of TI swimmers doing the triathlon down here. They thought they would clean-up, criticized us older and not-fit looking swimmers, and they were wiped off the map. Sadly, sometimes it is an eye-opener when a swimmer does think their skill is close to ultimate, but finds that there can be other swimmers of great caliber, and I do always love being beat by a person who has compassion for others' efforts. The kind of swimmer who beats me, gets out and hugs me for my efforts. That is SPECIAL. Swimming our best regardless of what that is, IS the most important thing, right after graciousness to others. Friendship to others is most important to me. And I always have a tendency to root for the under-dog, the person who is slower because I know what they have experienced to complete a distance. Sorry folks if you think I got off-topic, but the discussion was turning to not only elite swimmers, but not-kind behaviour from some of them. But like I said earlier, I only encountered two of these kinds of people and for that I am grateful. For the most part, people in swimming and most sports are truly wonderful people. Everyone just trying to do their best. Like Nemo said, Keep On Swimming, Donna