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 have enjoyed everyone's thoughts on this thread. My observation is that those who are tops in their age groups are swimmers who were always fast and possess that talent and determination and even if they did take a few years off to establish careers or have families with a certain amount of training will be able to rise back to the top again. The Olympians among us, even the older ones, are just in another dimension. I have never been a particularly fast swimmer, my strength is in my love of the sport and the strong will to train - I like the challenge of testing myself. I know there are athletes my age who are more talented and have much more potential for improvement and achievement than I do no matter how hard I work at it. Am I inspired by these swimmers? Impressed? A little jealous? Yes to each question. Do I begrudge them their gifts? Absolutely not. We each walk our own paths and I wouldn't give back who I am in this world, any of the life I have lived or the place where I am now. I am also swimming a lot differently than I ever have, my strokes have changed greatly in the last three years. I spend a fair amount of time watching those great athletes of all ages and accomplishments, either live at worlds or nationals such as this weekend, or any video I can find (over and over and over, just ask my family) looking for what they do that I can adopt to help my swims get faster.
I have enjoyed everyone's thoughts on this thread. My observation is that those who are tops in their age groups are swimmers who were always fast and possess that talent and determination and even if they did take a few years off to establish careers or have families with a certain amount of training will be able to rise back to the top again. The Olympians among us, even the older ones, are just in another dimension. I have never been a particularly fast swimmer, my strength is in my love of the sport and the strong will to train - I like the challenge of testing myself. I know there are athletes my age who are more talented and have much more potential for improvement and achievement than I do no matter how hard I work at it. Am I inspired by these swimmers? Impressed? A little jealous? Yes to each question. Do I begrudge them their gifts? Absolutely not. We each walk our own paths and I wouldn't give back who I am in this world, any of the life I have lived or the place where I am now. I am also swimming a lot differently than I ever have, my strokes have changed greatly in the last three years. I spend a fair amount of time watching those great athletes of all ages and accomplishments, either live at worlds or nationals such as this weekend, or any video I can find (over and over and over, just ask my family) looking for what they do that I can adopt to help my swims get faster.
