Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

RE: Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

swimr4life — Fri, 25 May 2007 12:09:34 GMT

After Nats I had to catch up with my life and by the time I got back to the forum this thread was almost too long for me to tackle with my short attention span.I have been swimming Masters continuously since 1974 and it is MUCH more competative. The time/age group progression seems nearly flat.In other words the mens 25-29 top ten times in 1977 aren't much different than the 55-59 times now. I don't know where to file this in terms of gentics or what,but my friend Collete Crabbe was a 1976 Olympian from Belgium. She trains harder than almost anyone I know.She is 51 and finished 2nd in the 200 BR at Nats. She was also upset she missed her age up year when she turned 50 last year due to chemo for *** cancer.She is a real inspiration to me. WOW! That's the epitome of what Masters is all about. Each individual excelling in their own private way. The self-satisfaction that comes from setting goals, working to achieve them and hopefully meeting or exceeding our expectations. :cheerleader:

RE: Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

Allen Stark — Fri, 25 May 2007 11:32:35 GMT

RE: Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

Former Member — Fri, 25 May 2007 07:32:52 GMT

Besides, Karen- you are a member of the truly elite group within masters swimming: forum posters. What could be finer?

RE: Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

Redbird Alum — Fri, 25 May 2007 05:14:53 GMT

Fortress - Thanks for the very interesting and enduring post idea. I'm not one of the elites, I swim for myself and (mostly) for my health. But the discussion has been very interesting to read. Perhaps, someday, if I live long enough and others do not, I will make top ten, but simply pushing myself seems reward enough for me. Thanks again, and best of luck to all the elites, as you make it fun and I learn a ton just watching you swim.

RE: Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

Karen Duggan — Fri, 25 May 2007 02:04:06 GMT

Fort- Great ponderings on this thread. I learned to swim when I was almost 10. I've been swimming since then with a couple of years off here and there. I started USMS in 1993 and haven't missed a year (kids and near-death excepted). One thing I've noticed is that Nationals and Top Tens and all of that, are only dependent on who shows up that year. You have some REALLY fast people who show up for a year or two and then they're gone. I think, in the long run, it would be the most interesting to watch a group and see how they do over a decade or more. To me that's what Masters is about- lifelong swimming. (Another thing to note when looking at rankings would be "life changes" who is divorced, having kids, other challenges. All impact swimming. ) The Masters elite are just like USA-S elite. They are gifted. They may work hard, etc., but they are just gifted and that sets them apart. I'm noticing now too, that many in my age group (35-39) are doing the kid thing. That, as you know, takes more than a toll! And many of the "elite" in my age group don't have any kids at all. I can guarantee that I would be swimming a lot faster (still not as fast as them perhaps) if I didn't have family commitments. However, I would not trade my family and watching us all grow up together for any sport. Am I frustrated that I'm not swimming faster? Absolutely. But it is a choice I've made. I know my body, my health, and I do all that I can to be as successful as I can, given my life's priorities. Watching people swim faster in older age groups gives me hope that once my kids are all grown up, I will swim well again. :)

RE: Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

Former Member — Thu, 24 May 2007 16:38:01 GMT

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. And this is partly what I was referring to, this is the type of person well-balanced and striving to better themselves, which I know many of us here are doing; it's just that Ann's words were very favorable in the quest to better swimming skills with balance. donna

RE: Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

Former Member — Thu, 24 May 2007 15:28:11 GMT

I just watched this video, Matt is a pro swimmer and coach and I try to use his technique whenever possible. www.youtube.com/watch LMAO! "I pace myself, and I win...every time!"

RE: Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

Former Member — Thu, 24 May 2007 15:22:57 GMT

I just watched this video, Matt is a pro swimmer and coach and I try to use his technique whenever possible. www.youtube.com/watch

RE: Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

The Fortress — Thu, 24 May 2007 11:43:39 GMT

That was hysterical, George. :lmao: I noticed, BTW, that the adjacent video listing contained a promo for "Breaststroke for Every Body." So I guess we can say Terry is a professional swimmer too. Even professional swimmers, like us non-professionals, get shoulder injuries that prevent us from posting on USMS and competing around the clock. I am feeling very professional. I did drylands and rotator cuff exercises while watching the American Idol finale last night. :bouncing: Kirk: You are probably right about the 50+ women. That's why Laura Val is just crushing all those records.

RE: Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

knelson — Thu, 24 May 2007 11:08:13 GMT

Perhaps forum grudge matches such as this will spur increased competition in the men's ranks? I think there's plenty of competition already, I just don't think the competition has necessarily gotten stiffer over the last few years on the men's side. Maybe some will disagree with me, but I think the women's side (especially from age 50 up) used to be a little soft and there were many more records "ripe for the picking" than on the men's side. Maybe one factor is Title IX and the first wave of women who benefitted from it are reaching this age bracket. I haven't looked at this statistically, but I bet you'll find the men's records in the older age group are closer to the American Records (i.e., the ones maintained by USA Swimming) on a percentage basis than the women's are.

RE: Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

AnnG — Thu, 24 May 2007 10:10:54 GMT

RE: Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

Former Member — Thu, 24 May 2007 09:47:46 GMT

In Mexico I used to get my snacks at the swim up bar. By the looks of your avatar...I see they like to super size the drinks down there too! Thanks for the humor today.

RE: Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

Former Member — Thu, 24 May 2007 09:09:27 GMT

How else can you do a long distance swim if you do not take food with you??? In Mexico I used to get my snacks at the swim up bar. And of course Matt defined "long dsitance" as 2 or 3 laps in the video...Which is an awful long distance to go without nourishment now LOL!!

RE: Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

Former Member — Thu, 24 May 2007 08:49:32 GMT

My friend Joey Gubbins a guy was a baton twirler when he was younger. I rescued him from a life of twirling and got him to come swimming with me when he was 12 years old.

RE: Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

Former Member — Thu, 24 May 2007 08:12:03 GMT

How else can you do a long distance swim if you do not take food with you??? In Mexico I used to get my snacks at the swim up bar.

RE: Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

Former Member — Thu, 24 May 2007 07:55:00 GMT

I just watched this video, Matt is a pro swimmer and coach and I try to use his technique whenever possible. Does this include the snack float?...for those long races. :D

RE: Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

dorothyrde — Thu, 24 May 2007 06:07:43 GMT

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. Donna Having watched age group swimming for 12 years, I so agree with this. Last weekend as I ran the computers at our 3 day meet, I watched one young lady at 13 just kill the competition. She would often not be ahead, until the last 50 and there is just something in her that won't lose. There is a considerable amount of jealousy going on, because the other girls do not think she works hard enough in practice, but she is doing something right!

RE: Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

Jeff Commings — Thu, 24 May 2007 05:43:34 GMT

Besides the one year I took off after retiring from USA Swimming, I have been swimming for 28 years. I'm amazed that it's been that long, because it doesn't seem like it has been that long. But if you stretch out all your accomplishments over time, and factor in the many miles of garbage yardage you do, the years add up. So Jeff, I've been swimming longer than you've been alive. Don't worry; it makes ME feel old.

RE: Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

Former Member — Thu, 24 May 2007 05:00:21 GMT

LMAO! "I pace myself, and I win...every time!" I also liked the part where he said that if you swim marathon races....you know...races that are around 2 or 3 laps LOL!! That guy was hilarious! thanks for the video clip George!! NOW to be more SR and on topic: I want to train harder myself b/c one of my secret (but now not so secret thanks to Kirk) Nemesis dudes is a real hard professional like trainer......but can he swim a 200 fly?...huh....well can he??...Yeah I didn't think so...haha...Yaeh thats right!! Did I just say that out loud? LOL! :rofl: Bork

RE: Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

Shari — Thu, 24 May 2007 04:36:38 GMT

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.

RE: Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

AnnG — Thu, 24 May 2007 03:22:51 GMT

Bill I am a LOT better than I used to be in the O-C area - my kids cured me. I just know I wasn't born a talented athlete just a hard working one. It takes longer but is paying off as this was my best ever nationals. I am competitive at my own level - speaking of that I am looking forward to the rib cook off between you and Diane, I loved how that challenge got thrown down at Federal Way! Now, wipe the BBQ sauce off your face and get back to work cuz I know that is where you are right now . . .

RE: Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

BillS — Thu, 24 May 2007 02:29:29 GMT

. . . this is the type of person well-balanced and striving to better themselves . . Those of us who know AnnG may beg to differ on the "well-balanced" assessment. (Just kidding, Ann)

RE: Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

Former Member — Wed, 23 May 2007 16:17:43 GMT

For cripes sake, I didn't see an "accusation" anywhere in my posts, Lefty. I probably shouldn't have bothered to start the thread. It was just a random musing, after having missed another of my team practices. I've basically been training by myself since last December and it's getting frustrating. That's all. No hidden agenda or sour grapes. Why don't we go back to TFs and stupid lawyers or Amanda now. :thhbbb: I specifically said I don't speak for you. Instead I was commenting that it is important to recognize the slight feelings of jealousy and frustration which is what your post evoked from me. I am glad that you don't feel that way, I am sure you agree that there are hundreds who do, though.

RE: Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

Former Member — Wed, 23 May 2007 15:44:18 GMT

Matt- shame on you! You know you're not fit to carry the ego of the true Late Boomer, Faster-than-anyone-with-my-identical-background-and-you're-a-liar-if-you-say-you-are. (sorryJim)

RE: Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

Former Member — Wed, 23 May 2007 15:27:45 GMT

I'm never living the 6 length 200 down am I? I think I'll get a T-shirt with this on for next year... 6/8 = .75 :rofl: