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.
Parents
Former Member
I always try to race my own race (which is overall the best strategy), but it is easy to get caught up racing others in your heat; especially if you know them, are in the same age group and are really matched up well speedwise. Freestyle (because you can see everyone) is really the only stroke where I have had this problem. I remember one instance (and learned a valuable lesson) in a mixed heat for the 100 free where one of my teammates was in lane 7 and I was in 6. We had both turned in 55s. Her start, turn and underwater are significantly better than mine. I swam a poor race all because of paying too much attention to what she was doing off the walls. I would catch up a little between the walls then see the gap widen at the 2nd and 3rd turn. I distinctly remember watching her SDKing off the turns, instead of concentrating on my own. That's as bad as it gets when being taken out of your own strategy. I remember more about her swim than I do of mine.
I did, however have a positive experience in a 50 free LCM at another meet even though I paid a little too much attention to the field. Lane 2 of 10. I breathe to the right (three times this race) and could see how close I was to the faster entries(almost even) and got really pumped during the swim. Finished 4th but turned in a PB.
I always try to race my own race (which is overall the best strategy), but it is easy to get caught up racing others in your heat; especially if you know them, are in the same age group and are really matched up well speedwise. Freestyle (because you can see everyone) is really the only stroke where I have had this problem. I remember one instance (and learned a valuable lesson) in a mixed heat for the 100 free where one of my teammates was in lane 7 and I was in 6. We had both turned in 55s. Her start, turn and underwater are significantly better than mine. I swam a poor race all because of paying too much attention to what she was doing off the walls. I would catch up a little between the walls then see the gap widen at the 2nd and 3rd turn. I distinctly remember watching her SDKing off the turns, instead of concentrating on my own. That's as bad as it gets when being taken out of your own strategy. I remember more about her swim than I do of mine.
I did, however have a positive experience in a 50 free LCM at another meet even though I paid a little too much attention to the field. Lane 2 of 10. I breathe to the right (three times this race) and could see how close I was to the faster entries(almost even) and got really pumped during the swim. Finished 4th but turned in a PB.
