Rise of the "Professional" Masters Swimmer?

Hats off to the demi-pros...if they have the ability to train that much and sacrifice where they need to, I think that's awesom. For me, I get 3x a week of self esteem building and personal challenging exercise. I've lost weight, I feel good, and my Levi's fit better. Heading to forty feeling better than I have in years and making a lot of new friends and creating funny stories along the way is reward enough for me. If I get an NQT or even the less likely top 10 from with the confines of my commitment levels...I'd be extremely happy.

I looked at this year times and last years times for the top 10 45-49 women 50 free The top times were a sec slower but the mid times down to 10 were faster - interesting. I think Jim is correct that the average times in general seem to be falling and it's harder to make the top ten generally, not in every instance. I think that's not quite accurate for the 45-49 50 free SCY though. Last year, the top ten times ranged from 24.7 through 26.3. This year the "current top times," which are not official top ten times, are 24.4 through 26.0. And I believe that KPN's time from Illinois States(?) isn't listed yet and was even faster. That means one probably would have had to swim under 26 to make the list. The 100 free is faster too this year, as I recall. Last year, a high 58 made the list; this year you had to swim a low 57. Many other examples, don't want to bore anyone. KPN had an amazing 45 year old debut.

I think that the women's 40-44 and 45-49 year age groups are getting faster but the 30-34 overall as a age group is significantly slower than it was a few years ago and 35-39 is also slightly slower. Examining Top Ten times over the past few years proves this. I think that it is all about the particular cohort of swimmers in the age group. Obviously the Pipes-Neilsen, Krattli, Heim-Bowen, Block, Welting, Von der Lippe, Lohberg, McGee cohort is a fast one and barring injury will probably be around for awhile. It's interesing to watch the progression of the records. Laura Val seems to be setting a record every time she jumps in the pool in the 55-59 age group and now KPN is breaking Val's 45-49 records. Looking at Laura and KPN and some of these other women I think that genetics is a HUGE part. As has been mentioned in other threads, there is a particular female physique (very lean and muscular) that many of these successful women possess.

I was beaten by Vibeke Swanson, a super engine builder who spends all her time training. I train with her on Sundays and I must say she definitely puts in the yardage. Sunday workouts usually run close ot 7,000 yards.

I train with her on Sundays and I must say she definitely puts in the yardage. Sunday workouts usually run close ot 7,000 yards. So my hearsay evidence was correct! That's very impressive. :bow: It obviously pays off for her big time. She's not only super fast, but looks great in the water (and on land -- lean and muscular, as Heather observed). I guess you must be pretty fast then too!

Some obvious factors for success...outside of the heavy duty training might have to do with genetics. In my observations...many National caliber masters swimmers in their 40's and 50's from the neck down, look as if they're only in their late twenties. Staying lean, limber and injury free are key ingredients to excelling in any sport...especially this one. Perhaps the surge in improvements are more readily seen in the 40 and 50 something groups...because the 30 year olds are just getting started with their first batch of babies. Sleep deprivation and diaper duty puts a damper on almost everything despite the rewards of parenthood.

First(ly), I agree with the Fort in part, but I believe if you have the money and time to do nothing but train, great for you! However I also have a life, including other sports to do and other activities to pursue. From a purely brazilian perspective here is what I see. There are the phenoms, swimmers who were great in their kid's days or youth, who will win your local state or municipal meets, irrespective or your or their training. Hey, I see a former brazilian olympian or almost olympian start a 50 meter breatstroke, and when she comes out of her dive she is already ahead by some two or three yards. I mean, she hasn't started to swim yet, and she already is ahead. I see a guy who swims backstroke and he is under the water for the whole 15 meters in a SCM, he is always ahead of his competition, because he is only swimming parts of the way, because he is a phenomenal guy and knows all the tricky underwater stuff. Power to him! Then later on in age groups, sometimes you will meet this guy who is retired and spends the day training, swimming, dryland, running, cycling...you name it. I have this competitor on my age group at this 1,000 meter o.w. swim, whom I beat based on my having learned to swim at 4 and he at 45. I got some 30 seconds on him, but he swims 3,000 meters every day, plus does all the running and cycling. I would not and will not beat him on a 3,000 much less a 10,000 open water race they have here. Lastly, you are only good in your neighborhood. I once beat a local 400 meter record and this other guy (from another state, not yet legal to count points in my state), well he not only put a lap on me, he put the entire pool on me. When they announced I was the new 400 free record holder I was very embarrassed and laughed together with the guy, who is not really a freestyle swimmer, he was just warming up. Know what he does for a living? He is swim coach, owns a health club, spends the day swimming, plus he was also a prodigy in his youth. Finally, I know my PBs at each of my distances and I know what I want and how I am doing. Having said all that, aren't you pissed off when this fat, white (from no sun exposure), no muscles, no swimmer look, no training, comes to a meet and beats you in the 50 free by tenths of second? He had the speed way back and still has it...hehehe...sorry for the long post, maybe you want to hear about this kid in a scooter who beat me in a race down some curvy road, beat me in my big racing bike? billy fanstone

I did not see it that way at all...no worries. As for 7K per workout...great scott! That is a seriously intense USMS workout program. More importantly, do you think our shoulders would survive it?

Based on my performances last weekend in Federal Way, I'm not quitting my day job. I don't see how anyone has the right to complain about someone performing at an elite level because they are gifted athletes and manage to do what it takes to train and swim fast. It seems like sour grapes to me. I say, more power to them. I sit back and am impressed, and inspired. I'll review my own life choices, and maybe wish I had their options, but I need to live my version of reality, not theirs.

I looked at this year times and last years times for the top 10 45-49 women 50 free The top times were a sec slower but the mid times down to 10 were faster - interesting. I think it comes down to a person has to do what is right for that person and their family. Some of us can practice more, some practice less, but it's if that is what works for you than it's right. We can only work toward our own personal best times each time we swim. If your not doing your best that day then your failing, if your best that day is your worst time, then you still win. I believe you can be swimming your best for that day and still do your worst time. We all have off days... Only you and the man up stairs know if your swimming your best for that day and that is what counts. And if we get to be up in the "elite" swimmers than that's extra braggn rights !!!