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.
Yeah but Art.. all that training is allowing you to keep up with you kids which is as valid as any WR or Top Ten--provided it's what you want.
I play drums a bit what do you play? No band or jam group yet though.
don't get me wrong, i enjoy getting into top 10 times, hope to do it again for SCM this year, we'll see what happens. The only thing that stinks about top 10 is it doesnt matter how fast you swim, all that matters is if 10 other people swam faster than you. I had a 200 back SCM time a few years ago that I thought was a shoo in, based on the year before but it wasn't meant to be... missed it by hair ... grrrr..
I play guitar, play a little bass too ... lets jam!
Yeah but Art.. all that training is allowing you to keep up with you kids which is as valid as any WR or Top Ten--provided it's what you want.
I play drums a bit what do you play? No band or jam group yet though.
don't get me wrong, i enjoy getting into top 10 times, hope to do it again for SCM this year, we'll see what happens. The only thing that stinks about top 10 is it doesnt matter how fast you swim, all that matters is if 10 other people swam faster than you. I had a 200 back SCM time a few years ago that I thought was a shoo in, based on the year before but it wasn't meant to be... missed it by hair ... grrrr..
I play guitar, play a little bass too ... lets jam!
