In swimming, how is it that one can excel in both sprints and long distance? Is it because the distance games in swimming are only "relatively" distance games but are not really distance games from a physiologic perspective?
In the world of tracks, for example, an athlete cannot excel at both sprints and distance. Even the athletes from the two areas look different - much leaner for the distance runners and muscular for the sprinters.
I am wondering about this because whether I should focus on either the sprint or the distance as I plan to participate in the masters meet, or whether I don't have to sacrifice one for the other.
I know this is also slightly off the original intent of the post, and I am confused as well.
How does one know they are really a distance swimmer vs. a sprinter?
For example, I'm sure Fort practices like she is a sprinter, so uses her distance sets differently than someone who thinks they are a distance swimmer does. Of course, she will do well in either. But naturally, she practices sprinting most of the time so she will place better in the sprints. But what if she had a personality change and decided she liked distance best and practiced like a distance swimmer? Wouldn't she naturally place better in the distance events than the sprints just on the pure fact she is practicing to be a sprinter?
I guess the point is, how do you know you're practicing what you are REALLY naturally best at? How could someone test this without bias from what they practice on a day to day basis? Or in the case of middle distance, what if the field of competition is poor?
And speaking of it, what about middle distance? Is there a group that's naturally suited best for middle distance? So, if I start practicing like a 200 swimmer, will it blind me to a true calling as someone who does 50's, 100's, or 500+ events?
I enjoy all distances, so I would like to practice what I am naturally best at so I can feel the most sense of accomplishment at meets. How can I know?
I know this is also slightly off the original intent of the post, and I am confused as well.
How does one know they are really a distance swimmer vs. a sprinter?
For example, I'm sure Fort practices like she is a sprinter, so uses her distance sets differently than someone who thinks they are a distance swimmer does. Of course, she will do well in either. But naturally, she practices sprinting most of the time so she will place better in the sprints. But what if she had a personality change and decided she liked distance best and practiced like a distance swimmer? Wouldn't she naturally place better in the distance events than the sprints just on the pure fact she is practicing to be a sprinter?
I guess the point is, how do you know you're practicing what you are REALLY naturally best at? How could someone test this without bias from what they practice on a day to day basis? Or in the case of middle distance, what if the field of competition is poor?
And speaking of it, what about middle distance? Is there a group that's naturally suited best for middle distance? So, if I start practicing like a 200 swimmer, will it blind me to a true calling as someone who does 50's, 100's, or 500+ events?
I enjoy all distances, so I would like to practice what I am naturally best at so I can feel the most sense of accomplishment at meets. How can I know?
