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.
I looked at this year times and last years times for the top 10 45-49 women 50 free
The top times were a sec slower but the mid times down to 10 were faster - interesting.
I think Jim is correct that the average times in general seem to be falling and it's harder to make the top ten generally, not in every instance.
I think that's not quite accurate for the 45-49 50 free SCY though. Last year, the top ten times ranged from 24.7 through 26.3. This year the "current top times," which are not official top ten times, are 24.4 through 26.0. And I believe that KPN's time from Illinois States(?) isn't listed yet and was even faster. That means one probably would have had to swim under 26 to make the list. The 100 free is faster too this year, as I recall. Last year, a high 58 made the list; this year you had to swim a low 57. Many other examples, don't want to bore anyone. KPN had an amazing 45 year old debut.
I looked at this year times and last years times for the top 10 45-49 women 50 free
The top times were a sec slower but the mid times down to 10 were faster - interesting.
I think Jim is correct that the average times in general seem to be falling and it's harder to make the top ten generally, not in every instance.
I think that's not quite accurate for the 45-49 50 free SCY though. Last year, the top ten times ranged from 24.7 through 26.3. This year the "current top times," which are not official top ten times, are 24.4 through 26.0. And I believe that KPN's time from Illinois States(?) isn't listed yet and was even faster. That means one probably would have had to swim under 26 to make the list. The 100 free is faster too this year, as I recall. Last year, a high 58 made the list; this year you had to swim a low 57. Many other examples, don't want to bore anyone. KPN had an amazing 45 year old debut.
