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've been trying for a day to figure out how to respond to this. Pretty much I feel like this is a "to each his/her own." If your family and job allows you to pursue a passion, then that's great. If your whole family is into the fitness thing, you can squeeze out a few more hours a week. Since both my wife and I try to get 6-9 hours of gym time in a week, the benefit is fewer hours to waste money at the mall.
Personally, if there are these semi-pro swimmers, I think it makes us all stronger as they pull us to faster times and a re-evaluation of our training.
I've been trying for a day to figure out how to respond to this. Pretty much I feel like this is a "to each his/her own." If your family and job allows you to pursue a passion, then that's great. If your whole family is into the fitness thing, you can squeeze out a few more hours a week. Since both my wife and I try to get 6-9 hours of gym time in a week, the benefit is fewer hours to waste money at the mall.
Personally, if there are these semi-pro swimmers, I think it makes us all stronger as they pull us to faster times and a re-evaluation of our training.
