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.
Leslie, I actually thought of you as one of the "elite" in Masters swimming. The only way I can hope to crack top ten is through attrition!
Thanks Gull! I'm happy with how I've done given my training/shoulder limitations. And Peter's words ring very true. Yet on that 50 back from zones you saw (as well as in the 100 IM), I was beaten by Vibeke Swanson, a super engine builder who spends all her time training. Hard to compete with that. She would absolutely destroy me in, say, a 200 back. And KPN -- forget it. So I focus on sprinting, which is fine and I love it. It would just be nice to be a bit more versatile ... the lure of engine building still burns strong. And you wouldn't want to see my 500 free or my evilstroke, I promise!
So why the trend toward faster and faster? It seems odd to assume that people have more time nowadays?
Leslie, I actually thought of you as one of the "elite" in Masters swimming. The only way I can hope to crack top ten is through attrition!
Thanks Gull! I'm happy with how I've done given my training/shoulder limitations. And Peter's words ring very true. Yet on that 50 back from zones you saw (as well as in the 100 IM), I was beaten by Vibeke Swanson, a super engine builder who spends all her time training. Hard to compete with that. She would absolutely destroy me in, say, a 200 back. And KPN -- forget it. So I focus on sprinting, which is fine and I love it. It would just be nice to be a bit more versatile ... the lure of engine building still burns strong. And you wouldn't want to see my 500 free or my evilstroke, I promise!
So why the trend toward faster and faster? It seems odd to assume that people have more time nowadays?
