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.
Parents
Former Member
I think the trend will always move toward faster swimmers in the top ten. There may be spikes here and there like last years LCM times. But in general history has shown this to be a downward trend. Heck my 16 year old neice split a 23.7 in her 200 free relay that went a 1:36 (a :24 average per leg!)last week. That would beat a lot of fast masters mens teams. Think what times her generation will swim when she's 40!
As for the pros, like others I find their efforts inspiring. Even though I can't train as often I still make the most of it as best as I can. And seeing what others can do gives me hope that I can improve and swim fast into my later years.
Fort, get your self a training partner. There is no way I could keep up quality with out competition in the pool. Training by myself or with out someone to push me frustrates the heck out of me. In my short masters career, the times when I have had other swimmers to race in work outs I have made the most gains. When I don't... I gain weight. :rofl:
Kevin
I think the trend will always move toward faster swimmers in the top ten. There may be spikes here and there like last years LCM times. But in general history has shown this to be a downward trend. Heck my 16 year old neice split a 23.7 in her 200 free relay that went a 1:36 (a :24 average per leg!)last week. That would beat a lot of fast masters mens teams. Think what times her generation will swim when she's 40!
As for the pros, like others I find their efforts inspiring. Even though I can't train as often I still make the most of it as best as I can. And seeing what others can do gives me hope that I can improve and swim fast into my later years.
Fort, get your self a training partner. There is no way I could keep up quality with out competition in the pool. Training by myself or with out someone to push me frustrates the heck out of me. In my short masters career, the times when I have had other swimmers to race in work outs I have made the most gains. When I don't... I gain weight. :rofl:
Kevin
