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 am in that 40-44 age group and each time I look at the depth and speed of my age group I cringe. And then I smile. I know why I choose swimming - it was either that or nothing. Title 9 passed when I was 5 and by the time I was 6 my mother took me to signups at the local rec center as she had for my brother (he was in football, basketball, soccer and track). Only two other girls had signed up for flag football - so that was a no go. 'Oh, but we do have ballet or baton twirling.' Oh goody! A few years later some of my friends were playing soccer or softball, but by that time I was entrenched in swimming. Although I was never the fastest swimmer and I never will be I am just as grateful to have the opportunity to participate in swimming today as when swimming rescued me from baton twirling. I wonder how many women had the same experience I had and maybe that is why this age group is so intense.
I am in that 40-44 age group and each time I look at the depth and speed of my age group I cringe. And then I smile. I know why I choose swimming - it was either that or nothing. Title 9 passed when I was 5 and by the time I was 6 my mother took me to signups at the local rec center as she had for my brother (he was in football, basketball, soccer and track). Only two other girls had signed up for flag football - so that was a no go. 'Oh, but we do have ballet or baton twirling.' Oh goody! A few years later some of my friends were playing soccer or softball, but by that time I was entrenched in swimming. Although I was never the fastest swimmer and I never will be I am just as grateful to have the opportunity to participate in swimming today as when swimming rescued me from baton twirling. I wonder how many women had the same experience I had and maybe that is why this age group is so intense.
