Just admit it. Almost everyone sandbags from time to time. Look at Ande, entering at 28.9 in the 50 back to have clear water. Bunch of his times look pretty suspect. Peg completely sandbagged the 1000 free at Zones. I entered a coach-approved NT on the 100 IM at Zones and then scratched. Paul Smith is passing on a 100 free duel with evil Smith to save up for his world-record-shattering performance to be in the 200 medley relay. Julie Oplinger sandbagged her 100 fly at Zones. The list could go on forever, so you might as well join the Club.
As for Nats, because of my lack of expertise with sandbagging, I'm over my 25% statistical probability per race of landing in an outside lane.
(Sorry Osterber! :thhbbb:)
Parents
Former Member
So far I have always entered with my fastest masters time,
That is very respectable, but I find that sandbagging is the norm around here. I generally take my best time and add a bit. In a 100 I'll add 2-3 seconds. In a 50, maybe a second or two. 200? Probably 4-5 seconds. Interestingly enough, I have always swam PB's but often times fail to finish first in the heat. Clearly, others are sandbagging FAR more than I am. Of course, at my level, getting a choice lane assignment and clear water are the least of my worries.
So far I have always entered with my fastest masters time,
That is very respectable, but I find that sandbagging is the norm around here. I generally take my best time and add a bit. In a 100 I'll add 2-3 seconds. In a 50, maybe a second or two. 200? Probably 4-5 seconds. Interestingly enough, I have always swam PB's but often times fail to finish first in the heat. Clearly, others are sandbagging FAR more than I am. Of course, at my level, getting a choice lane assignment and clear water are the least of my worries.
