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.
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Former Member
This is a jerky comment. If you were refering to me, I wasn't complaining, Steve. And, since you're an infrequent poster, I will assume you know nothing about my times, training, goals or frequently expressed admiration for our great masters athletes. Frankly, I'd love to quit my day job, train more, and swim in more meets. That doesn't make me guilty of "sour grapes," it makes me guilty of wanting to improve and being periodically frustrated by obstacles. I don't think anyone will hang me for that. Maybe they'll just start reading ande's blog with me.
In any event, my main inquiry really went to the issue of whether competition was increasing in masters ranks. I see Kirk thinks it isn't. I had just observed that in my age group it definitely has and wondered why.
(For the record, I couldn't swim at 6:00 am. I have 3 kids to get off to 3 different schools.)
I did not see it that way at all...no worries.
As for 7K per workout...great scott! That is a seriously intense USMS workout program.
This is a jerky comment. If you were refering to me, I wasn't complaining, Steve. And, since you're an infrequent poster, I will assume you know nothing about my times, training, goals or frequently expressed admiration for our great masters athletes. Frankly, I'd love to quit my day job, train more, and swim in more meets. That doesn't make me guilty of "sour grapes," it makes me guilty of wanting to improve and being periodically frustrated by obstacles. I don't think anyone will hang me for that. Maybe they'll just start reading ande's blog with me.
In any event, my main inquiry really went to the issue of whether competition was increasing in masters ranks. I see Kirk thinks it isn't. I had just observed that in my age group it definitely has and wondered why.
(For the record, I couldn't swim at 6:00 am. I have 3 kids to get off to 3 different schools.)
I did not see it that way at all...no worries.
As for 7K per workout...great scott! That is a seriously intense USMS workout program.
