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 suppose swimming could have separate "elite" divisions of races like running and triathlons do, but for some reason that is hard to articulate I am not sure I really like that idea. There is something cool about being in a heat with an Olympian, even if it means getting creamed. :notworthy:
Every time I got out of the water and checked out my results at Nationals, this little voice inside my head kept saying, "Nice swim, Jeff, and you didn't winter-swim." True, I can't compete against those guys yet, but I am close, and for me to be there, its a true testament to working hard with the cards I've been dealt.
I strive to beat down the door of top 10 times competing against guys my age who've been swimming year-round their whole lives and guys like AndyE, Kirk, Jim Clemmons, David Barra, etc., who have probably been swimming competitively longer than I've been alive. But I am happy to do that and up to the challenge!
I can't tell you how happy I will be to have Fort's "problem" of yesterday, taking 3 kids to 3 different schools in lieu of making practice myself. I hope she knows how awesome a mom she is. :notworthy: :cheerleader:
I suppose swimming could have separate "elite" divisions of races like running and triathlons do, but for some reason that is hard to articulate I am not sure I really like that idea. There is something cool about being in a heat with an Olympian, even if it means getting creamed. :notworthy:
Every time I got out of the water and checked out my results at Nationals, this little voice inside my head kept saying, "Nice swim, Jeff, and you didn't winter-swim." True, I can't compete against those guys yet, but I am close, and for me to be there, its a true testament to working hard with the cards I've been dealt.
I strive to beat down the door of top 10 times competing against guys my age who've been swimming year-round their whole lives and guys like AndyE, Kirk, Jim Clemmons, David Barra, etc., who have probably been swimming competitively longer than I've been alive. But I am happy to do that and up to the challenge!
I can't tell you how happy I will be to have Fort's "problem" of yesterday, taking 3 kids to 3 different schools in lieu of making practice myself. I hope she knows how awesome a mom she is. :notworthy: :cheerleader:
