Relays seem to spark controversy. Some people love them. Some people see them as an intrusion on their individual events. Some people are forced to scratch events to swim relays because of exhaustion. (I actually know a swimmer who practices with a team but won't officially join the team for fear of having to swim relays at zone or other big meets.) Some people "cherry pick" elite swimmers to set records in relays. Relays make meets run longer.
We're adults, not kids on a USS team. Do we really need relays at masters meets?
I've not actually swum on one, I should point out. I'm just wondering why masters swimmers bother when everyone seems to be gunning for PBs and swimming really seems like an individual sport.
Having said that, an open water relay seems oddly appealing. But that's because the relay is the event. I don't see whatyaall see in swimming lots of events and then adding on relays.
Some people are forced to scratch events to swim relays because of exhaustion. (I actually know a swimmer who practices with a team but won't officially join the team for fear of having to swim relays at zone or other big meets.)
We're adults, not kids on a USS team. Do we really need relays at masters meets?
Very funny, Mr. OW. Tired of sitting and watching swim meets?
Well, relays are fun for us "growed ups" too. They still help you feel part of a team. Mixed relays are especially fun. (I think I have one on with Allen someday.) I haven't done that many relays, as my team is relatively small. But I have scratched one of my best individual events because of relay duty at a zone meet. I'd rather do just one relay a day, at the end of the individual events, not several per day. I'm not good at 5+ events a day. The thought of 3-4 relays per day is a bit overwhelming, but I'm a whimpy sprinter. I'd rather swim fewer and swim faster, and relays do cut into the swimming fast part. But they're still fun. I just never want to swim on the 800 free relay ... I'd rather count during my friends' distance events.
Some people are forced to scratch events to swim relays because of exhaustion. (I actually know a swimmer who practices with a team but won't officially join the team for fear of having to swim relays at zone or other big meets.)
We're adults, not kids on a USS team. Do we really need relays at masters meets?
Very funny, Mr. OW. Tired of sitting and watching swim meets?
Well, relays are fun for us "growed ups" too. They still help you feel part of a team. Mixed relays are especially fun. (I think I have one on with Allen someday.) I haven't done that many relays, as my team is relatively small. But I have scratched one of my best individual events because of relay duty at a zone meet. I'd rather do just one relay a day, at the end of the individual events, not several per day. I'm not good at 5+ events a day. The thought of 3-4 relays per day is a bit overwhelming, but I'm a whimpy sprinter. I'd rather swim fewer and swim faster, and relays do cut into the swimming fast part. But they're still fun. I just never want to swim on the 800 free relay ... I'd rather count during my friends' distance events.
