It's only Masters!

RE: It's only Masters!

Former Member — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 05:15:10 GMT

I have worked harder on masters than I did it 30 years ago! As high point tropy winner @ 60 - 64 in Il. Yes I went 32 in the 50 fly & 119 in the 100 & 307 in the 200 fly. My time of 644 for the 500 free & 1359 in the 1000 also makes me happy. :groovy: So yes only masters does help us live longer & better lives:oldman: Right on! Thanks for that...

RE: It's only Masters!

orca1946 — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 07:21:25 GMT

RE: It's only Masters!

Former Member — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:20:12 GMT

Breathing that deep and hard for an hour and a half and being "held" by the water seems to change my chemistry so then I'm not blue, and this altered state usually lasts for many hours. Yep...

RE: It's only Masters!

isobel — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 05:05:01 GMT

I've had this talk with a friend who takes his training pretty seriously, works, has a family. We've both said, "It's not like it's social work, or volunteering or contributing to society" (except that we set good examples of healthy living and probably save tons on medical costs) (except for all that PT we might occasionally need, but still, mostly we are fit and not overweight and active and showing by example that it's possible to stay fit for life). For me it's my mental health that has been thoroughly resuscitated by this sport. Feeling down, go for a swim. Don't want to swim, want to drown? Go to a workout. Kaboom! Instant mental health. No time to think about the blues. Breathing that deep and hard for an hour and a half and being "held" by the water seems to change my chemistry so then I'm not blue, and this altered state usually lasts for many hours. Also, it's social! Usually gets me out of my funks. The carryover: hard job tasks? Just think: This is nothing compared to the 400 IMs last night. Need to feel powerful? Just think about a good swim. Have a nasty medical test where you have to drink radioactive barium? Just do it on the interval: On the :10 I will drink 6 long gulps; on the :40 I will drink 6 more long gulps. This worked very well for me. About the obsessiveness: that part still bothers me. I try not to obsess about my times (and I am getting better at this), but I think when people really are obsessive about their times, then it's more than masters and maybe not the best use of life energy.

RE: It's only Masters!

Former Member — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:46:58 GMT

George, 1. I don't know for sure, but I'm willing to find out. 2. Without a doubt. 3. The time has huge significance, an incredible accomplishment. Meaning is a personal thing, if it matters to you, then that's what matters. J - Does master swimming really prolong life? Does it help us enjoy life more? Does swimming 50 crawl or doing 32 for 50 fly at 60+ mean anything? Just to get in and swim without thinking about swimming times, is really enjoyment enough for me. I can still knock off a 30+ sec crawl without effecting my heart and a slow 36+ sec fly. But these times mean nothing to me. I would sooner help someone else to become a better swimmer. My friend in Mexico is in his 80s swims 4 miles a day. It takes him 4 hrs and sometimes more. He has never competed in a race,and he loves his swim.

RE: It's only Masters!

Former Member — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:17:22 GMT

...

RE: It's only Masters!

Former Member — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:31:40 GMT

The "It's only Masters!" mentality has given me a relaxed, fun, "nothing to lose," "who cares," "try new things" attitude about the sport. Yes. It's only masters! What could be better than to do front handsprings across the pool one practice followed by kicking some SR I butt the next practice?

RE: It's only Masters!

Former Member — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:14:11 GMT

My most urgent desire. This desire involves swimming, biking, walking. and Margaritas. Chuckie has had her two medical things taken care of eye and knee. Her broken wrist is good also. I have a little business to do. And on the 5th of May (Cinco De Mayo), we are going to start our 3200 mile back to Melaque Mexico. This is were my heart belongs and where I can, swim, bike and not run but walk.

RE: It's only Masters!

Former Member — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:18:35 GMT

I think there's a much better realization in Masters (as compared to high school, college, and USS) that it's only swimming. Nationals is a good example of this. Why are so many of us going to Austin? Yes, we want to swim fast against the fastest swimmers. But I wouldn't be going if it weren't such a social occasion. The whole fast swimming thing is secondary to a weekend with my friends on the team and a chance to meet you guys. Maybe not everyone feels that way, but it can be a completely foreign attitude in "serious" swimming. A friend of mine used to swim for Stanford, and at big meets Skip wouldn't let his swimmers talk to anybody outside the team, including friends and family. Skip's philosophy was apparently that a swim meet is a war, and in a war you have to be focused on destroying the enemy.

RE: It's only Masters!

Former Member — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:29:06 GMT

...

RE: It's only Masters!

Former Member — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:33:49 GMT

How about the side effects of swimming such as: 1- Sailing in a small kayak (with a tendency to capsize) in a lake knowing that if you have to you may ditch the darn boat and SWIM back to the shore. However I still wear life jackets... 2- Snorkeling all over any beach, near reefs and so forth, because you can swim there, you can swim forever with snorkels, mask and fins. 3- Going for a 2 mile swim in a fairly current free beach, when every body else is jogging or doing other stuff. Later people will ask you how you can swim so far, and you don't explain to them that swimming in the ocean is sooooooo easy. Oh, also, if the current doesn't take you away, you can swim long and far using that stroke made to last forever and for resting: da breastroke! That being said (and true), however never forget the story of Mr. X, an elite Champion Masters swimmer who was lounging on a beach in Southern France one day when he saw a beautiful woman, walk (undulate) down to the water and dive smoothly in. He thought to himself, "Great. She looks good swimming and I'm sure that I'll impress her with my swimming." So, in he goes and starts swimming towards her, she smiles coyly and swims away. He increases his stroke rate to catch up with her, she speeds away. He really turns his power on but she easily outdistances him. After half an hour of being unable to catch up with her, he swims back to the beach and as he's panting, trying to catch his breath, she comes out of the water. "Excuse me miss," he manages to say. "I'm a Champion swimmer but you are by far better. Where and how did you learn to swim like that?" "Well, signore," she replies, "I used to work the streets in Venice, Italy, for a few years."

RE: It's only Masters!

Former Member — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:56:19 GMT

Does master swimming really prolong life? Does it help us enjoy life more? Does swimming 50 crawl or doing 32 for 50 fly at 60+ mean anything? I'm not convinced about the first one but believe 'yes' to the second and third ones. As far as the length of life is concerned, I'm probably stuck with what my genes will deliver at the upper end. I can certainly devise ways to shorten that lifespan and swimming is probably NOT one of those. What I'm looking forward to is compressed morbidity: that is, live a healthy life for as long as I live and, then, just drop dead (preferably after setting a world record in the breaststroke - but the dangers of that stroke are well known here on this Forum). I don't want to drag out the death process and that's why I swim (Well, no, it really is the other things about swimming that motivate me - I probably wouldn't do it if I didn't like it. No point in lying.). Masters athletics IS my life now (shared by my wife of 43 years in all aspects). I've had an interesting career that kept me from having to work at a REAL job, obtained millions of dollars in federal grants, raised a family, run a private business, volunteered to coach youth and master's soccer and swimming, built my house with my own hands, rebuilt a car engine. learned to speak a couple of foreign languages etc etc. No, it is not JUST masters swimming. If I want to train 20 hours per week (sorry John Smith) why shouldn't I? It's a really big deal to me!

RE: It's only Masters!

smontanaro — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:52:07 GMT

There's a fine line between a hobby and a mental illness A new quote for my email .sig file! Skip

RE: It's only Masters!

aquageek — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:02:42 GMT

True, true...but compared to my triathlete friends who compete in Iron Man events, we swimmers look pretty well adjusted. This is the complete truth. Swimmers may be obsessive but obsessive is quite a scale. Serious bikers and runners are looney tunes compared to us.

RE: It's only Masters!

Chris Stevenson — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:40:31 GMT

Mr. Fort describes masters swimming as an "obsessive subculture." True, true...but compared to my triathlete friends who compete in Iron Man events, we swimmers look pretty well adjusted. I don't ride as much anymore, but I have many experiences like the following: I was riding with a group and -- no lie -- the person next to me talked for 30 minutes about possible feeding strategies in his upcoming race. What to eat, when to eat it, how much to eat, possible hydration methods, on and on and on. He's a very nice guy, but listening to that conversation brought a whole new meaning to the phrase "endurance athlete." Whenever I'm on a ride that's a little too quiet -- indicating that people might start to pick up the pace to a level uncomfortable for me -- all I have to do is mention some particular item of clothing or gear or food and then everyone starts talking about it. Crisis averted!

RE: It's only Masters!

FlyQueen — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:30:25 GMT

In the scheme of life is swimming as important or more important than my family or friends? Of course not. (Though some of them may argue) I work hard and want to swim fast at meets. I definitely obsess about it more than I should. If we didn't care we wouldn't spend hundreds on fancy suits. We wouldn't taper and we wouldn't train our arses off. I do realize that if I don't swim fast the world will keep spinning and life will continue on.

RE: It's only Masters!

ande — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:17:49 GMT

There's a fine line between a hobby and a mental illness actually I think it's great to have a lifetime of health and fitness that's what the habit consistent swimming does ofter seeing my own family members fail to take care of themselves and suffer, it's great to be part of the masters swimming family and be friends with those who are strong, fit, healthy, happy, capable of remarkable swimming feats, encouraging, inspiring and passionately pursuing their dreams and goals. Swimming doesn't make us immune to health problems but it's a great way to thrive. which is what this song is about: www.songramp.com/.../viewprivtrack.php

RE: It's only Masters!

The Fortress — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:07:01 GMT

No, it is not JUST masters swimming. If I want to train 20 hours per week (sorry John Smith) why shouldn't I? It's a really big deal to me! Mr. Fort describes masters swimming as an "obsessive subculture." I think that's fairly accurate. Most people I know that swim and compete are pretty darn serious about it, but attempt to balance their passion with career and family demands. I've said before, I want to grow up to be like Grace Dyck. I enjoy endurance sports. Definitely contributes to my health and happiness. As for evil John Smith, the originator of the "it's only maters" quote, that's a bunch of poppycock. He obviously trains and competes seriously and is quite worried about drug use in the sport encroaching on his new national records. :laugh2: So methinks he doth protest too much when he lays down one of those "it's not how fast you go, but how you look" bombs.

RE: It's only Masters!

Former Member — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 10:45:24 GMT

I'm a firm believer in invoking the "it's only Masters" clause on kick and fly sets. Sig-worthy. Although kick sets are truly under-valued and underrated. Kicking is great for building core strength and taking pressure off the shoulders, which is a major problem in swimming. The bikers, yes, but not the runners. I have NEVER heard a runner become as obsessive over micro-fractional parts of a second as I have swimmers. That plus the endless details of swim sets - yikes. Well, swimming is a sport in which micro-fractions matter. It's not obsessive. It stems from the nature of the sport. And add me to the list of "triathletes are too freaking hard-core". We're fortunate that in my current team (Manatees, Oakland, CA) our triathletes are mellow and a pleasure to work out w/. But the Iron Man types... :bolt: :shakeshead:

RE: It's only Masters!

Former Member — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 10:21:20 GMT

RE: It's only Masters!

aquageek — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:58:02 GMT

I'm a firm believer in invoking the "it's only Masters" clause on kick and fly sets.

RE: It's only Masters!

Former Member — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:56:13 GMT

J - Does master swimming really prolong life? Does it help us enjoy life more? Does swimming 50 crawl or doing 32 for 50 fly at 60+ mean anything? Just to get in and swim without thinking about swimming times, is really enjoyment enough for me. I can still knock off a 30+ sec crawl without effecting my heart and a slow 36+ sec fly. But these times mean nothing to me. I would sooner help someone else to become a better swimmer. My friend in Mexico is in his 80s swims 4 miles a day. It takes him 4 hrs and sometimes more. He has never competed in a race,and he loves his swim.

RE: It's only Masters!

Chris Stevenson — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:17:51 GMT

Does master swimming really prolong life? Does it help us enjoy life more? Does swimming 50 crawl or doing 32 for 50 fly at 60+ mean anything? "Yes" to all those questions. That's not to say that masters swimming is the be-all and end-all, and it isn't for everybody. There are many ways to be healthy and happy; this just happens to be one of them.

RE: It's only Masters!

Former Member — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 05:27:25 GMT

This is the complete truth. Swimmers may be obsessive but obsessive is quite a scale. Serious bikers and runners are looney tunes compared to us. The bikers, yes, but not the runners. I have NEVER heard a runner become as obsessive over micro-fractional parts of a second as I have swimmers. That plus the endless details of swim sets - yikes. Racewalkers are much crazier than any of those, however... -LBJ

RE: It's only Masters!

Allen Stark — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 01:43:41 GMT

It's not as important as family or job,and there is no real glory in it,but Masters Swimming is a central part of my life.It's fun,I meet great people,I'm in much better shape than I would be otherwise and it is a good outlet for my competitive fire.