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 think that the women's 40-44 and 45-49 year age groups are getting faster but the 30-34 overall as a age group is significantly slower than it was a few years ago and 35-39 is also slightly slower. Examining Top Ten times over the past few years proves this. I think that it is all about the particular cohort of swimmers in the age group. Obviously the Pipes-Neilsen, Krattli, Heim-Bowen, Block, Welting, Von der Lippe, Lohberg, McGee cohort is a fast one and barring injury will probably be around for awhile. It's interesing to watch the progression of the records. Laura Val seems to be setting a record every time she jumps in the pool in the 55-59 age group and now KPN is breaking Val's 45-49 records. Looking at Laura and KPN and some of these other women I think that genetics is a HUGE part. As has been mentioned in other threads, there is a particular female physique (very lean and muscular) that many of these successful women possess.
I think that the women's 40-44 and 45-49 year age groups are getting faster but the 30-34 overall as a age group is significantly slower than it was a few years ago and 35-39 is also slightly slower. Examining Top Ten times over the past few years proves this. I think that it is all about the particular cohort of swimmers in the age group. Obviously the Pipes-Neilsen, Krattli, Heim-Bowen, Block, Welting, Von der Lippe, Lohberg, McGee cohort is a fast one and barring injury will probably be around for awhile. It's interesing to watch the progression of the records. Laura Val seems to be setting a record every time she jumps in the pool in the 55-59 age group and now KPN is breaking Val's 45-49 records. Looking at Laura and KPN and some of these other women I think that genetics is a HUGE part. As has been mentioned in other threads, there is a particular female physique (very lean and muscular) that many of these successful women possess.
