The thread on how long a meet lasts/seed times got me thinking. Do forumites like a fiercely competitive race or heat or do we swim our own races largely ignoring those in other lanes (especially since seed times may not be accurate)?
For myself, I enjoy a good race or a grudge match, particularly against someone I know. :lolup: But I can also swim my own race, ignore others and focus on my own times. At SCY zones last May, I was so intent on my 50 free, I didn't even notice that the adjacent lane was empty until I watched the race on video with Mr. Fort. I was perfectly oblivious. At my last meet, in my 50 fly grudge race against Muppet, some guy in my heat beat me by .2, but I couldn't have cared less. I was happy with my time.
On longer races I'll sneak a peek at the competition but, usually I don't look around too much. You really shouldn't on a 50 or a 100 because it will slow you down. I try to swim my own race. You can only control what you do....not what your competion does! I'm usually swimming as hard as I can anyway!
I race myself because that's the only chance I'll ever have of winning.
Sarge,
LOL!!! :laugh2: :agree: :lmao:
I'm saving that quote to use someday in my signature line. I'll give you credit, of course.
Anna Lea
I race myself because that's the only chance I'll ever have of winning.
I wouldn't want to race myself. I'm crazy.
I love a good race. Preferably against women (as I have a better chance of winning). Although, I'm learning to race the men and not hate it. If I get creamed by either party, I try and get creamed less the next time around. :banana: Less creamage can still be a victory.
Case in point, my 200 Free at the LCM champs this year. My first 200 in any course I should point out..my pacing ability is limited in other words. I had intended to swim my own race but upon diving in the man next to me pulled ahead quite strongly and I made a rather subconscious decision to chase him down (mistake #1). My mistake was not realized until the 50M turn and by then I figured I might as well just try to hang on and see what I can pull off (mistake #2). I was whipped by the 150M mark and my splits were horrible.
Matt- I find no fault with the "go out fast and hope you can hold on" strategery! 200s are tough, 'cause they're a sprint. But you need to be smrt (like a rock) about it and actually sorta pace it or yes, it will hurt!
Some of my best longer races were swum with that mindset. I found that if I didn't take advantage of the speed off the dive, I wasn't going to make it up later. In a 500, my first 100 is always 3-4 seconds faster than my last. In my case, if I take it out quickly, ie :57, I'll be going a 1:00 at the end. If I pace to start with, ie :60, that last 100 is a 1:03. Just by backing off, i'm already down 6 seconds.
It depends on what I'm swimming and how I feel. Last year in the 200 fly I got beaten by the woman next to me by a second or so. She ended up next to me in the 200 IM so I made it my goal to beat her and I did. I usually don't worry too much about who is next to me unless I see that I am keeping up. I swam an 800 last year and the woman next to me was 30 seconds faster, I didn't think I would keep up, but I did and ended up 40 seconds faster. So it depends on who's next to me and if I think I can keep up or not. Since I'm not a sprinter I can gage more after the first 50 or 100.
The thread on how long a meet lasts/seed times got me thinking. Do forumites like a fiercely competitive race or heat or do we swim our own races largely ignoring those in other lanes (especially since seed times may not be accurate)?
For myself, I enjoy a good race or a grudge match, particularly against someone I know. :lolup: But I can also swim my own race, ignore others and focus on my own times. At SCY zones last May, I was so intent on my 50 free, I didn't even notice that the adjacent lane was empty until I watched the race on video with Mr. Fort. I was perfectly oblivious. At my last meet, in my 50 fly grudge race against Muppet, some guy in my heat beat me by .2, but I couldn't have cared less. I was happy with my time.
Its all about racing others for me.....but I'm a tad shallow LOL! Now I must destroy you! LOL!
