Better to date or marry a swimmer or not?

I'm sure we're all annoyed by something. Impossible for all posters to be clones. I was kidding, but I must say I don't really "get" the dancing banana and that "dead horse" one is just too big!

SwimStuddom is not a physical thing; it's a state of mind. Regardless of your corporeal jammer state, I think the name fits! I'd excerpt a quote I read yesterday from a college student "working girl" along these lines, but I think perhaps such a reference might get me banned or at least forcibly V-chipped against my will.

At the risk of melding science and flirtation, perhaps we need to examine this thread on swimming and mating from an evolutionary biology point of view. something that is impenetrable by anything but the absolutely most determined and vigorous and indefatigable combination of endurance and sprint-swimmer vitality, if that). Well, it's about time we had a little Darwinism thrown in. I always like to admire the little fish with legs on the back of cars. No V-chip for me either. I'd rather read about Coolidge and biology or whatever some swimmer has on his or her mind, whether it's in the gutter or not. The above-quoted description oddly describes my husband ... except that he is/was a marathoner and crew jock. Despite my Feistressness, I am roundly derided for my sprinting by all family members. Geek: I thought you were enjoying our NSR discourse on the "Starting Block Annoyance" thread. I recall you stated that you enjoyed the alleged "exposure of ignorance" and I responded that I likewise enjoyed "exposing" yours. It's too bad we can't have these little battles anymore ... I'm sure there must be someone better to pick on than scyfreestyler though. If you use that potent Mind of yours, I'm sure you'll think of someone. Now, as to the assigned topic, I think I'll go ahead and annoy Geek more by boring him with a swimmer dating story. When I was a wee freshman in college, I had my heart broken by the captain of the U of MN swim team. Apparently, I wasn't "perfect." Although I'm not, I think I was just across the country and some Darwinistic, reptilian urge to date and flirt caused him to think singledom was a superior state. I got revenge the next summer by dating an even faster swimmer -- which helped since I had to see Mr. Captain every day while we lifeguarded at jaegermeister's outdoor pool.

What do posters think? Is it better to date or marry another swimmer than a non-swimming athlete or non-athlete? Does it lead to discord or harmony? Too much couple competition? Or more understanding when you want to go to practice or meets all the time? Is swimcest the best? I notice Cruise married a swimmer ... and we know about Muppet ... I'm going to dissertate on the topic here. I have had experiences dating swimmers and non-swimmers, athletes and non-athletes, and all experiences are mixed. It does kind of drive me crazy to see people drive themselves into unhealthiness by not doing something physical, but then again, I am the opposite extreme, participating in any sport I can get my hand on. Plus I understand that some people are so busy that there just isn't any time to exercise (ie architect majors in studio, med school students, etc.). As folks have mentioned, so much of this depends on the people. Personally, I am pretty laid back, but also very competitive. I like to do well, and I don't like falling short/ losing, but at the same time, the latter is not the end of the world. Current swimmer GF smoked me in the 200 back last weekend. I smoked her in the 100 free (in adjacent lanes). We both realize where our places are compared to each other, but as was mentioned earlier, in the end, I'm competing against the dudes and her the chicks. Now I will say I was jealous of her this summer when she started hauling in Worlds medals. Though we're near the same speed, she's obviously really fast for a girl, whereas I am not *yet* to elite-level fast;). She had a lot of chances for medals at Worlds, whereas I was no-where close to medaling in most of my events. However, when presented with my chance, I made a massive timedrop (and seed drop) and snuck into 10th in the 400 Free. We both push each other in practice and encourage each other in meets. Plus, I always have a cohort to destroy the buffet after the meet :) :dedhorse:

Plus I understand that some people are so busy that there just isn't any time to exercise (ie architect majors in studio, med school students, etc.). I disagree with this. There's always time to exercise if you make it. Some people choose not to but it's a cop out IMO.

I married my (masters) coach. :D It's usually a good thing... both understanding wanting to train, not smelling the chlorine fumes. Tough when one person is injured (usually me) and can't swim when the other heads off to practice. Now that we have a kidlet, we run into trouble when we want to swim the same event at meets (trying to balance who gets to swim down and who doesn't) :) As our toddler gets older, I can see it will become more of an issue balancing meets and training time because we won't just be able to drag her along to our events. She will be dragging us to her stuff... I think this happens to everyone with kids, though, not just swimmers! On the bright side, it is nice to both agree that swim meets are a great thing to plan family vacations around!!

There are plenty of social networking forums out there but precious few swimming sites, especially ones for adults. Keep the kissy kissy out of here, unless it's to comfort gull on the downfall of his favorite astronaut.

Yes, we're all swimmers or on the way to becoming swimmers, but we're people first. It's human nature to build relationships, seek acceptance, and be part of a society that meets your needs. As far as I can see, the needs of people of this forum (be it encouragement, tips, advice, friendship) are all being meet, often simultaneously. If I didn't consider the people on this forum my friends I most likely wouldn't listen to half of what was said, why would I want to listen to a complete stranger tell me I'm doing something wrong. There have been several times when I was afraid to post for fear of seeming uneducated, but because of the warm nature of these forums I posted anyway. Without the little sidebars, it'd be impossible to know the personality of the people you were talking with and make the information seem less relevant, and at times, pretty harsh. But becuase of these NSR excursions it allows you to get a sense of people's humor, sacarism, and over all knowledge. While we exchange knowledge about swimming, I've learned a lot about life in general. I'm young and trapped in a small town in Idaho, so being able to hear about life from more experienced people across the country, whether it be tied to swimming or not, is incredibly beneficial. I think it's great that we've build such a community, something that would have been near impossible if we stuck strictly to facts and figures. And while threads to occasionaly get hi-jacked, the information that was being saught in the first place is usually given. Hi-jacking usually occurs when a thread has been around for a while and all the information needed has been given. And if not, the original poster or anyone else can post back on topic and it will be answered. Hi-jacking isn't an end-all for a thread.

I didn't have an hour 3 x a week to go workout unless I gave up something else. I never said you wouldn't have to give up something else! Sleep seems to be the usual thing that gets nixed (even more).

Coming from a Virginian, it is comforting that you recognize there is a problem. and for Julie... I'll start the interview process tomorrow... though you didn't specify whether you want my nice, cute, single friends to be male or female...:joker: But remember, I am originially from Maryland. And yes, the roads here are confusing. I have a friend who lives on 2nd St South. The problem is that there are about 6-7 other 2nd St South's within about 5 miles of her house. And my street, 34th St. South eventually turns into 36th St. South and those two streets basically make a 1.2 mile loop through our neighborhood. And in any other city, I would live 32 blocks from her, but no. It doesn't work like that! About your friends, male would be great!