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
A guy near my age who goes sub 29 in 50 *** regularly enters Zones with times like 35. I'm convinced he does it for clear water. He can't possibly get a thrill, as a top 10 swimmer, from beating guys who aren't top 50.
Honestly I think tactics like this are childish, selfish, and against the spirit of competition. To me it isn't strategic race planning. Sorry Ande.
To me rest management means not entering events that are too close together. It isn't lying about my times to alter which heats I'll swim in. If the event order isn't good for you - too bad. The event order wasn't built for you (or me).
I guess I just don't admire this approach to Masters racing. I admire people who get on the blocks, seeded with an appropriate time, and deal with whoever else is in the field and the water in front of them.
I also think - all things considered - that I don't like the splitting of longer races to get intermediate times. Jeez - it's a 200 free - not a 50 free and 150 recovery.
A guy near my age who goes sub 29 in 50 *** regularly enters Zones with times like 35. I'm convinced he does it for clear water. He can't possibly get a thrill, as a top 10 swimmer, from beating guys who aren't top 50.
Honestly I think tactics like this are childish, selfish, and against the spirit of competition. To me it isn't strategic race planning. Sorry Ande.
To me rest management means not entering events that are too close together. It isn't lying about my times to alter which heats I'll swim in. If the event order isn't good for you - too bad. The event order wasn't built for you (or me).
I guess I just don't admire this approach to Masters racing. I admire people who get on the blocks, seeded with an appropriate time, and deal with whoever else is in the field and the water in front of them.
I also think - all things considered - that I don't like the splitting of longer races to get intermediate times. Jeez - it's a 200 free - not a 50 free and 150 recovery.
