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?
Parents
Former Member
- don't rely on somebody for a time. Swimming against another competitor in your heat, however, can add to the adrenalin rush that pushes you through the pain.
If your friend had been swimming next to somebody that ended up going a 1:58.9, my bet is that your friend would have gotten his 1:59.
Very true. Having a competitor with your own abilities creates a synergy. And often times a neck and neck race situation drives each person to dig in a little deeper. Unfortunately seeing someone way ahead can be misleading if you had planned on pacing alongside of them.
In masters I think nearly everyone I know checks the heat sheets and does a preliminary sizing up of their competition.
Again, this isn't always the best strategy.
- don't rely on somebody for a time. Swimming against another competitor in your heat, however, can add to the adrenalin rush that pushes you through the pain.
If your friend had been swimming next to somebody that ended up going a 1:58.9, my bet is that your friend would have gotten his 1:59.
Very true. Having a competitor with your own abilities creates a synergy. And often times a neck and neck race situation drives each person to dig in a little deeper. Unfortunately seeing someone way ahead can be misleading if you had planned on pacing alongside of them.
In masters I think nearly everyone I know checks the heat sheets and does a preliminary sizing up of their competition.
Again, this isn't always the best strategy.
