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.
I'll swim the 1650 at our Pacific Champs as a 7th event... this was one of the most fun races I've ever had. I swam right next to Charlene O'Brien and we were right next to each other the whole way. It was a blast! She took off the last 50 and beat me by 2 seconds, but to this day we talk about how much fun that was.
I scout out the comp to see where their strenghts lie. For example, in a 200 or 400 IM I like to know who the flyers are, so when I'm getting smoked, I can tell myself, "yea, go ahead, ya flyer! I'll see you after the backstroke!!" LOL. If I am in a close race though I'll push harder...
I prefer to swim my own races, esp. at Nationals because the entry times are not always accurate- more sandbagging than I would like by some... nothing I can do about it though. In the end I have my own goal times and let the medals fall where they may :wine:
I'll swim the 1650 at our Pacific Champs as a 7th event... this was one of the most fun races I've ever had. I swam right next to Charlene O'Brien and we were right next to each other the whole way. It was a blast! She took off the last 50 and beat me by 2 seconds, but to this day we talk about how much fun that was.
I scout out the comp to see where their strenghts lie. For example, in a 200 or 400 IM I like to know who the flyers are, so when I'm getting smoked, I can tell myself, "yea, go ahead, ya flyer! I'll see you after the backstroke!!" LOL. If I am in a close race though I'll push harder...
I prefer to swim my own races, esp. at Nationals because the entry times are not always accurate- more sandbagging than I would like by some... nothing I can do about it though. In the end I have my own goal times and let the medals fall where they may :wine:
