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.
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
Lefty:
As Beth said, I am somewhat jealous of people who can train like crazy. I'm very compulsive and, if I could, I would. I'd probably be doing aquathlons and entering scads of meets. I really was just noticing that the competition seemed fiercer than usual and hoping to keep up somewhat. I don't really measure myself by KPN. And I'm not a sour grapes kind of person. To the contrary.
Kevin:
Most of the swimmers I know that compete are on teams and don't train alone. I can't go in the early morning, so I joined an evening/weekend team. But lately during the week, I can't seem to get to my practices because my kids have their practices the same nights and same times. On weekends, I have the meet/game problem, especially bad in the spring. Plus, my pool is closed a lot for USS meets. Argh. I need a group that trains at lunchtime, but I don't know any in the area. I'm hoping I can train more with my team this summer. :lolup: I am planning to attend Muppet's meet on July 1, out of shape or not. And I would like to kick my secret nemesis' butt!
Kirk:
As an aside, I just got back from my prolo doc, with whom I discussed the state of his swimming patients' shoulders. During this discussion, he said, "You work out all the time don't you? No kids right?" I practically fell off the chair. So I'm sure training doesn't explain everything, and talent may trump training. But it's tough to swim more than a 100 well without some engine building and all the other stuff you've got to do. Plus, nothing beats a tough workout.
I'm going on a run now because it is absolutely beautiful outside. :banana: Oh, thanks Muppet. I try!
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
Lefty:
As Beth said, I am somewhat jealous of people who can train like crazy. I'm very compulsive and, if I could, I would. I'd probably be doing aquathlons and entering scads of meets. I really was just noticing that the competition seemed fiercer than usual and hoping to keep up somewhat. I don't really measure myself by KPN. And I'm not a sour grapes kind of person. To the contrary.
Kevin:
Most of the swimmers I know that compete are on teams and don't train alone. I can't go in the early morning, so I joined an evening/weekend team. But lately during the week, I can't seem to get to my practices because my kids have their practices the same nights and same times. On weekends, I have the meet/game problem, especially bad in the spring. Plus, my pool is closed a lot for USS meets. Argh. I need a group that trains at lunchtime, but I don't know any in the area. I'm hoping I can train more with my team this summer. :lolup: I am planning to attend Muppet's meet on July 1, out of shape or not. And I would like to kick my secret nemesis' butt!
Kirk:
As an aside, I just got back from my prolo doc, with whom I discussed the state of his swimming patients' shoulders. During this discussion, he said, "You work out all the time don't you? No kids right?" I practically fell off the chair. So I'm sure training doesn't explain everything, and talent may trump training. But it's tough to swim more than a 100 well without some engine building and all the other stuff you've got to do. Plus, nothing beats a tough workout.
I'm going on a run now because it is absolutely beautiful outside. :banana: Oh, thanks Muppet. I try!
