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 feel very comfortable in writing this. Athletic greatness comes in many forms and waves of certain people and I am almost certain that their greatness is NOT just based on their training and their ability to train. Some people have something extra that allows them to gravitate toward greatness. On the other hand, many have a personal longing to be the best and will sacrifice, both good and bad, for it to achieve it. For some, greatness is their bottom line and if they have a propensity for swimming, they will go to any degree in their life to achieve it. But if their entire purpose is for the recognition, I sometimes wonder if their personal life suffers for the ability to say "this or that" of their achievements. It all depends on what is important for them and to them.
Physical achievement is a marvelous thing to a point. I know this well as I have had the opportunity to swim with some of the best a long time ago. And after their Olympic achievements and mine, many wanted to do other things because they had achieved their goals. Masters produces a pile of fast swimmers and many are between 30 and 50. I am constantly amazed by the times I see posted. What a terrific thing, and I commend each and every one of them. So as to not rattle on, I think a person who leads that healthy lifestyle, swims fast, and has a wonderful family life, that is the Masters Professional I want to associate with. And to be perfectly honest, I am the type of person who would have loved to have stayed on TOP forever, but chose life, friends, socialization instead. Until August of 2008.
Donna
I feel very comfortable in writing this. Athletic greatness comes in many forms and waves of certain people and I am almost certain that their greatness is NOT just based on their training and their ability to train. Some people have something extra that allows them to gravitate toward greatness. On the other hand, many have a personal longing to be the best and will sacrifice, both good and bad, for it to achieve it. For some, greatness is their bottom line and if they have a propensity for swimming, they will go to any degree in their life to achieve it. But if their entire purpose is for the recognition, I sometimes wonder if their personal life suffers for the ability to say "this or that" of their achievements. It all depends on what is important for them and to them.
Physical achievement is a marvelous thing to a point. I know this well as I have had the opportunity to swim with some of the best a long time ago. And after their Olympic achievements and mine, many wanted to do other things because they had achieved their goals. Masters produces a pile of fast swimmers and many are between 30 and 50. I am constantly amazed by the times I see posted. What a terrific thing, and I commend each and every one of them. So as to not rattle on, I think a person who leads that healthy lifestyle, swims fast, and has a wonderful family life, that is the Masters Professional I want to associate with. And to be perfectly honest, I am the type of person who would have loved to have stayed on TOP forever, but chose life, friends, socialization instead. Until August of 2008.
Donna
