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.
Fort, you sure have an interesting observation. Some of these folks are lucky enough to have the means, the discipline and the talent to make this happen. The KPN's, SVL's, Abrahams' and McConica's, etc., of the world, they're practically the only ones up there at that level. So yeah, it takes a special person to compete against them.
But last time I checked, most of us are pretty happy with the times we've done. Sure we want to be faster, thats why most of us are still training. But it isn't going to kill me to not be the #1 in every event, world record holder, national champion, etc. I'm happy and honored to compete with these guys. McConica blew me out of the water in the same heat of the 500 last year at Nationals. Rich Abrahams is 2x my age and can go under :60 in the 100 LCM free. They are certainly motivation and inspiration.
Fort, you sure have an interesting observation. Some of these folks are lucky enough to have the means, the discipline and the talent to make this happen. The KPN's, SVL's, Abrahams' and McConica's, etc., of the world, they're practically the only ones up there at that level. So yeah, it takes a special person to compete against them.
But last time I checked, most of us are pretty happy with the times we've done. Sure we want to be faster, thats why most of us are still training. But it isn't going to kill me to not be the #1 in every event, world record holder, national champion, etc. I'm happy and honored to compete with these guys. McConica blew me out of the water in the same heat of the 500 last year at Nationals. Rich Abrahams is 2x my age and can go under :60 in the 100 LCM free. They are certainly motivation and inspiration.
