I was honestly on the fence about whether I wanted to swim the breaststroke 3 pack or do freestyle at my next meet in a couple of weeks. So I ended up signing up for 5 events today and mailing it in, knowing that I will scratch at least one, maybe 2, events depending on how I feel at the meet.
Are scratchers evil like sandbaggers? I know I had a lot of fun at the last meet with a couple of very close races with people right next to me, but honestly the only times empty lanes have bothered me have been when I've been in 1 and the only other entrant was in 8 or 6. Feels like a weird time trial when that happens. But just an empty lane or 2, no biggie. Does it bug the race directors? Why do I feel vaguely guilty about it? Should I just kick an extra 200 as penance tomorrow (I hate kicking) and forget all about it? Or is it not even something to worry about?
I am curious why somebody who went a 26 in 50 free 2 months ago would put down a 30.0 or 29.5 for their time? Somebody explain the point. I get fired up to race my competitors who are near my time but when they put down a 29.5, I can't help but wonder if they don't like close races.
You could be right. They might not like a close race. Swimming a 26 and then seeding at a 29 does seems a bit odd. If it was for rest management, you'd think they'd sandbag even more.
I just sandbagged a 50 free in my Zone entries. It was for the sole purpose of getting a bit more rest before a back-to-back race. Sure, I'd rather swim with people closer to my actual time in an ideal world like I did at my last meet. But, a 50 is pretty much load and shoot. I think you should still be able to swim fast on your own.
I am curious why somebody who went a 26 in 50 free 2 months ago would put down a 30.0 or 29.5 for their time? Somebody explain the point. I get fired up to race my competitors who are near my time but when they put down a 29.5, I can't help but wonder if they don't like close races.
You could be right. They might not like a close race. Swimming a 26 and then seeding at a 29 does seems a bit odd. If it was for rest management, you'd think they'd sandbag even more.
I just sandbagged a 50 free in my Zone entries. It was for the sole purpose of getting a bit more rest before a back-to-back race. Sure, I'd rather swim with people closer to my actual time in an ideal world like I did at my last meet. But, a 50 is pretty much load and shoot. I think you should still be able to swim fast on your own.
