I am curious how many of the posters here swam in high school, college, etc. and how close to the top you got. Thus the following not terribly detailed poll.
First of all, Michael, love your films!
Forgive me for not knowing my masters swim history as well as I should, but i am wondering if you have any info of these two swimmers. Until fairly recently, opportunities for women swimming in college were limited at best. I wonder if it would be possible today to set a world record in masters without extensive early experience. Kristina Ulveling's closing in on the mile record is very impressive, but I am pretty sure she at least swam as an age grouper if not in college per se.
Just as it is MUCH easier to learn foreign languages pre-puberty, I wonder if the brain has critical periods for the acquisition of very specific muscle skills. It does seem a lot harder to get really, really fast or proficient at any sport if you don't have a foundation laid down early in life that you can build on later on.
First of all, Michael, love your films!
Forgive me for not knowing my masters swim history as well as I should, but i am wondering if you have any info of these two swimmers. Until fairly recently, opportunities for women swimming in college were limited at best. I wonder if it would be possible today to set a world record in masters without extensive early experience. Kristina Ulveling's closing in on the mile record is very impressive, but I am pretty sure she at least swam as an age grouper if not in college per se.
Just as it is MUCH easier to learn foreign languages pre-puberty, I wonder if the brain has critical periods for the acquisition of very specific muscle skills. It does seem a lot harder to get really, really fast or proficient at any sport if you don't have a foundation laid down early in life that you can build on later on.
