We talk a lot about how the person you are racing is yourself and that is the most important measure and that you can only control what you do,not what the competition does.At the same time we have medals and AAs and records and TT etc.So which is more important to you? I was musing on this for myself after the SPMA meet.I went my best time in the 100M BR in 5 yr,but was beaten by Jim Clemmons.In the 50 BR I won,but was .3 sec slower than last yr.That got me wondering about goals.So,where do you stand?
My goal is always to shoot for personal best times, or at least times I will be happy with. I enjoy racing and winning, but really only when I'm racing people of roughly comparable ability. It's not particularly fulfilling either to blow everybody away or get blown away.
My best swim ever may have been a 50 LCM BR against Bob Strand.He won(of course) but I swam my best time in 13 years.I love swimming against Bob and he usually brings out the best in me.In that last 100 BR he was in lane 7 and I in lane 8.It just doesn't get better than that(unless I finally beat him,that would be better.)
Part of the reason I usually prefer the zone meets over nationals because the seeding is open vs. by age...almost always a good race to be had!
And again I say...I would love it if nationals were seeded the same way. I'd probably swim faster too.
As it is unlikely that I'll go to AZ for zones, and we will never be in the same age group, this would be the only way I would ever swim against you head-to-head unless you happen to find yourself in this area during one of our zones meets (as Patrick did last weekend).
I think unsanctioned beer relays after nationals are an intriguing possibility...
Part of the reason I usually prefer the zone meets over nationals because the seeding is open vs. by age...almost always a good race to be had!
i have mixed feelings about seeding by time instead of age at Nats.Some times that would give me better competition,but if you have friends/competitors given to sandbagging(I am not naming names,but you know who you are) you have a better chance of swimming next to them at Nats.I also like racing someone I have a history with,not just some guy with a similar entry time.
i have mixed feelings about seeding by time instead of age at Nats.Some times that would give me better competition,but if you have friends/competitors given to sandbagging(I am not naming names,but you know who you are) you have a better chance of swimming next to them at Nats.I also like racing someone I have a history with,not just some guy with a similar entry time.
:blah:
I think I resemble that remark. "You talkin to me?"
From within, it comes from within.:cool:
:blah:
I think I resemble that remark. "You talkin to me?"
From within, it comes from within.:cool:
If the shoe fits.
That 200 BR we had at Worlds was one of my favorite swims.I usually swim people down the second half so when I was 1/2 body length behind at the 100 I was sure I had you.Great swim,great fun.
And again I say...I would love it if nationals were seeded the same way. I'd probably swim faster too.
As it is unlikely that I'll go to AZ for zones, and we will never be in the same age group, this would be the only way I would ever swim against you head-to-head unless you happen to find yourself in this area during one of our zones meets (as Patrick did last weekend).
I think unsanctioned beer relays after nationals are an intriguing possibility...
Chris, I can see both sides and am actually OK with having seeding by time as an option at regional meet and age at nationals....the epic battles between folks in the same age group I think are great for the sport.
And count on me making it out your way for a meet in the next year or two...we have friends we need to see out that way....and we know Geeks address so we'll be able to bother a whole lot of folks over a week!
I would take a head to head close race victory the results in number one TT time, over a PB that is only nominally faster.
I like the racin, not the times and only work to get faster so I can hang with the good competition when I race.
PJE
