Originally posted by LindsayNB
I think one key point is illustrated by comparing the popularity of the 100m, 200m, 400m track events versus road races. I suspect that the difference is fundamental and based on what type of exercise most people enjoy and get a sense of well being and accomplishment from. If the running world is any indication most people prefer distance to sprinting. I suspect that most fitness swimmers also think in terms of distance not sprint speed.
Picture a group of 100m and 200m track sprinters on a discussion forum discussing how to get the masses to get involved in track meets and being mystified by why all those masses of fitness runners don't want to join in.
Anyone can get out and train and run for a road race. While there is a big time differences, it does not seem to matter because of the amount of people doing them. Plus, you get there, run the race, and you are done. I have run and walked races, where I am home by 9-10 in the morning and have the rest of the day. And they are local. And walkers can join in.
Now take a swim meet, I have to drive 2 hours to get to the closest one, spend 4-5 hours to swim 4 events, and drive 2 hours home. Pretty much the whole day shot. And this discussion goes on and on about age group meets, because they are in the same boat. Having spent my weekends at 3 day age group meets, having two kids swim different sessions....not much fun.
I've been to many a meet over my life and a kid's meet is entirely different from a Master's meet. So, please don't knock it until you've tried it. You ever see a 60 year old Olympian chew up a 30 year old? That's exciting, unless you are the 30 year old, but that's a personal matter.
And, what the heck is wrong with enjoying a beverage with a person you'll only see once in your life? I'm lucky if I see gull80 once a year but it darn sure makes the meet we both attend a lot more enjoyable for me. I can tell you our little competition in January made my training and participating 10 X more enjoyable. And, I look forward to the date when I can buy the Smiths beer, although I'll be showered and dressed long before their heats even start. Is that worth my $30 a year, heck yeah.
Let's be honest bug, you've never been to a USMS meet, you've never been on a USMS team, your only knowledge of USMS is this board and the flame throwers on it, like Cruise. Now, without any knowledge whatsoever of USMS you proposed some goofy color suit system where people can't participate in meets if they are in the fitness category, something so god awful complex that it would make USMS a beurocratic nightmare to administer.
When I finished my second year of kindergarten we stopped using colored stickers to judge progress and entered the real world where you were actually rewarded based on performance. In swimming it's called time. And, have you ever noticed, the best swimmers have the best form? What color suit does a perfect form fast swimmer get who competes? If it's Smith, I say PINK!
Lainey did not propose the color system, someone else did.
And kids meets have a different intensity to them, but they do have a 4 hour limit. Master's meets can actually go longer.
Competition is not for everyone. Really there are a lot of people who just don't enjoy it.
My pager is ringing, back to work!
Originally posted by dorothyrde
Competition is not for everyone. Really there are a lot of people who just don't enjoy it.
I totally agree with this. But, this is not a wedge issue and shouldn't be for USMS. Almost all of us train with both competitive and fitness swimmers, all of who get along in perfect harmony, like Stevie and Paul.
And, I think there are many fitness swimmers who might be insulted by this discussion. I know some folks who don't compete (thus making them fitness, I guess) who can flat out swim fast.
The question is why are Bug and others, who are actually USMS member, trying to divide USMS? I have never been to a single workout where we are divided by fitness versus competition, nor by green versus yellow suits. USMS can grow with both groups, just not noodlists.
BTW - swimming in lakes is kinda gross but I tried it a few years back and now I'm hooked.
Some random thoughts:
- Clarification: the cover of the USMS magazine should never have been tagged as a "water aerobis" thing.....anyone who has ever had knee surgery (or many other kinds) knows that an aqua jogger rehab program is standard. I've been there with Denver Bronco's strapped up next to me....so yes there is a "competitive" elemant at times!
- Water aerobics; a different animal and one that my wife has taught for over 20 years, at times the same "toys" being used but again very different than masters swimming, rehab, etc. you would rarely see a Bronco here.....and I would guess that most are of Bug's mindset....fitness not competition.
USMS: the million dollar question, how do we provide something to everyone? My concern is that rarely do you see any buisness/person succeed big time who tries to be great at everything. Truth is USMS is made up primarilly of the fitness mindset and us competitors need to be clear on this (although fitness is the foundation of our competiton).
Laineybug....I don't understand all the hostility-name calling. With very few exceptions everyone on this forum seems to each respect each other.....your being engaged here and asked for help....why the anger?
Originally posted by aquageek
I
BTW - swimming in lakes is kinda gross but I tried it a few years back and now I'm hooked.
I think lakes in NC must be clearer! Some coaches at a District meeting I attended Saturday were trying to talk me into an open water swim this summer. They said the lake was clear. I said, oh so I can actually SEE what is nibbling at my toes.
Wow.....and you come on this forum and call us a bunch of elite bigots............serious anger issues. But I'm seeing a pattern:
- Jump in and name call without offering a legitimate opinion on th subject
- When reached out to to provide one and given an invitation to get involved and know some USMS people better....get angry and tell us you have no interest....so why are you here?
One last thing.....USMS does have a fitness committee that works on this aspect of "swimming".....since you seem to be so disgusted with everything about the organization and us why don't you volunteer and try and make an impact? Why don't you submit an article to Bill or letter to the editor with your suggestions for improvements?
Or sit back at your desk, read this forum, call people names and get even more pissed off?
