Some elite masters swimmers appear to be almost quasi "professional" in terms of the time and energy they devote to the sport and my impression is that there are more and more of such swimmers competing in masters now. At least in my two masters age groups to date, women's 40-44 and 45-49, there is a true professional swimmer (KPN), past Olympians swimming amazing times, professional triathletes and professional engine builders. (My spies tell me about their yardage.) Times across the board in my age group were much faster this year than last year. Not sure about the men's times or other women's times. Is it similar?
It seems like a massive amount of time is involved to put in all the yardage, weights, drylands, stretching, RC exercises, cross-training necessary and to go to all the PT, ART, orthopod and massage appointments. Their dedication is admirable. But I have difficulty fitting this all in. :violin: I'm sure most others must too. Life and kids definitely interfere with even getting to practice, wholly apart from a total devotion to swimming. So I can't out-train anyone.
Am I only imagining that masters swimming is getting more competitive? The phenoms are all just genetically talented swimmers? Thoughts anyone?
JUST TO BE PERFECTLY CLEAR, I AM NOT CRITICIZING ANYONE, JUST ASKING QUESTIONS.
It's certainly a mixture of all of the above. We see the same types in triathlon as well.
They are all dsicplined, that's the first thing. Putting in 20+ hours per week takes discipline.
But then you get a mix of genetic gifts and a fair chunk of people who have reached a point in their professional and family lives that allows them more time to dedicate to the pastimes. Often they worked their asses off for many years to get in that position.
And the rest of us are still punching the clock, putting in 8 hours per week and trying to hang in there.
I still think it's fun.
It's certainly a mixture of all of the above. We see the same types in triathlon as well.
They are all dsicplined, that's the first thing. Putting in 20+ hours per week takes discipline.
But then you get a mix of genetic gifts and a fair chunk of people who have reached a point in their professional and family lives that allows them more time to dedicate to the pastimes. Often they worked their asses off for many years to get in that position.
And the rest of us are still punching the clock, putting in 8 hours per week and trying to hang in there.
I still think it's fun.
