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 it's pretty natural when seeing an incredible swimmer to wonder what they're doing to allow them to swim so fast. Are they training more? Are they training the same or less than you, but just have natural talent? I think most of us, in our hearts, hope it's the former. That's a lot easier to swallow than the realization that no matter what you do you probably aren't going to beat these people.
I think this is pretty interesting, Kirk, because for me it is the opposite, and I think that is because people see what they lack in the explanation. To me, seeing people who were always fast continuing to swim fast is kinda "eh." I don't begrudge them, but I can't say it is like "wow" either. You were fast; you are fast. Okay. But then again, I have plenty of time and no swimming background, so to me that is the difference. Likewise Fort has the background and no time. But your point holds: we want it to be what we aren't, so we can always say "if only." And why not?
I think it's pretty natural when seeing an incredible swimmer to wonder what they're doing to allow them to swim so fast. Are they training more? Are they training the same or less than you, but just have natural talent? I think most of us, in our hearts, hope it's the former. That's a lot easier to swallow than the realization that no matter what you do you probably aren't going to beat these people.
I think this is pretty interesting, Kirk, because for me it is the opposite, and I think that is because people see what they lack in the explanation. To me, seeing people who were always fast continuing to swim fast is kinda "eh." I don't begrudge them, but I can't say it is like "wow" either. You were fast; you are fast. Okay. But then again, I have plenty of time and no swimming background, so to me that is the difference. Likewise Fort has the background and no time. But your point holds: we want it to be what we aren't, so we can always say "if only." And why not?
