On the recent broadcast of www.deckpass.com there was some interesting dialogue on age group swimming, Gary Hall Jr, and yes my hero, Jack LaLanne...
Okay... not to digress, but... Sullivan's breakthrough was from technical improvement, not an increase in power output... just an observation.
Jack LaLanne is my hero...
If you swim for fun, you'll always be a winner! Keeping the focus on personal improvement is a great way to hold the "passion" without making comparisons to others. That concept of winning, only being the absolute freaky best, that concept is dysfunctional. If you are in the water regularly, you'll always be a winner; you can feel great about what you are doing.
Swimming is a unique experience, and mastering the water is a joy.
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GeoChuck, I’m definitely no expert when it comes to the Olympic Spirit, especially since I never made it to the Olympics. I am an Olympic Trials finalist and have received all the fortune and fame that comes along with being a runner up, which is nothing as far as I can tell :confused:. My goal was to not only make the Olympics, but to bring back an individual or relay medal. I didn’t just want to be a participant. For some, this may be true, for me, it never was. It’s the same reason why the news always broadcasts the medal counts for the various countries as opposed to giving a nightly update on which countries competed. I understand what you mean though, and can see the relevance.
ViveBene, I like your comment about swimming being a sport, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve gotten more confused about what a "sport" is. To me, NASCAR is not a sport. Curling is not a sport. However, I think a sport has to involve competition, so my own definition doesn’t make sense b/c you definitely compete in NASCAR and Curling. Is knitting a sport? What about poker? I have no idea.
Hoffam, your goals for nationals are unique to you and that’s the beauty of it. It doesn’t matter what I think, I’m just another idiot posting on a forum. If you don’t want any goals then don’t set any. However, I would at least set the goal of being alive and able to compete at another nationals if it were me.
Aztimm, thanks for the honesty and at least a little agreement. At least I know I’m not completely crazy…yet, anway.
Scyfreestyler, do you think Chuck Norris would agree with handing out “Participant” ribbons? I guess it’s possible, and who knows, maybe he does at his annual KarateFest. I don’t think that I am saying the same thing as JMiller either. He stated, “being the absolute freaky best, that concept is dysfunctional.” Why is it dysfunctional for some of the people on this board, especially when it comes to their age group? I don’t have a problem with it, would Chuck Norris?
GeoChuck, I’m definitely no expert when it comes to the Olympic Spirit, especially since I never made it to the Olympics. I am an Olympic Trials finalist and have received all the fortune and fame that comes along with being a runner up, which is nothing as far as I can tell :confused:. My goal was to not only make the Olympics, but to bring back an individual or relay medal. I didn’t just want to be a participant. For some, this may be true, for me, it never was. It’s the same reason why the news always broadcasts the medal counts for the various countries as opposed to giving a nightly update on which countries competed. I understand what you mean though, and can see the relevance.
ViveBene, I like your comment about swimming being a sport, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve gotten more confused about what a "sport" is. To me, NASCAR is not a sport. Curling is not a sport. However, I think a sport has to involve competition, so my own definition doesn’t make sense b/c you definitely compete in NASCAR and Curling. Is knitting a sport? What about poker? I have no idea.
Hoffam, your goals for nationals are unique to you and that’s the beauty of it. It doesn’t matter what I think, I’m just another idiot posting on a forum. If you don’t want any goals then don’t set any. However, I would at least set the goal of being alive and able to compete at another nationals if it were me.
Aztimm, thanks for the honesty and at least a little agreement. At least I know I’m not completely crazy…yet, anway.
Scyfreestyler, do you think Chuck Norris would agree with handing out “Participant” ribbons? I guess it’s possible, and who knows, maybe he does at his annual KarateFest. I don’t think that I am saying the same thing as JMiller either. He stated, “being the absolute freaky best, that concept is dysfunctional.” Why is it dysfunctional for some of the people on this board, especially when it comes to their age group? I don’t have a problem with it, would Chuck Norris?
