As an "outsider" to the world of "hardcore" swimming ...
Former Member
I swim a lot and really enjoy it. It's something I've done all of my life, growing up in Southern California, and it's my main form of exercise. I'm good at it, but I do it primarily for health and enjoyment.
I've noticed from lurking around this board for several years that there seems to be a very self-congratulatory, cliquish tone to many threads and posts. It seems like it's often a small group of people who post relentlessly, as if they are engaged in some sort of private conversation where they're trying to outdo each other.
Maybe I'm the only one who feels that way. Maybe that's part and parcel of the world of "hardcore" competitive swimmers. Or maybe it's because there wouldn't be anything else to talk about, unless there weren't a constant focus on who's the "best" at this or that.
A race is something that happens once in a while, whereas a lifetime of swimming lasts, well, a lifetime. Yes, it's great to break a certain time in a certain race, but it's also great to have the self-discpline to keep at a daily swimming program and work on improving one's technique and endurance. Both are valid, and, to my mind, neither is more worthy of praise than the other.
Jim Thornton, if I recall correctly, noted a while ago that there were a lot of people lurking around the board and not really participating. If that is the case, I would propose that may be due to the general off-putting tone of things on here. (I won't give examples at this point, although I could.)
A race is something that happens once in a while, whereas a lifetime of swimming lasts, well, a lifetime. Yes, it's great to break a certain time in a certain race, but it's also great to have the self-discpline to keep at a daily swimming program and work on improving one's technique and endurance. Both are valid, and, to my mind, neither is more worthy of praise than the other.
Sftom...it's sad and interesting that you see the comradarie that has been built between members on this forum thru a shared passion for swimming/competing as somehow "hardcore" and a subtle (or not) jab at non-competing masters as lesser somehow.
Teams, competition, rivalries, bets, good natured ribbing all act as "glue" of sorts for those of us who share the same passion for fitness as yourself. I also would suggest to you that whether you compete or not...working out with swimmers who do and coaches that adjust training cycles based on competition improves everyone's level of fitness.
So the next time your reading on this forum try and look at the banter between those of us who enjoy racing not as a put down to folks who don't...but rather an oppurtunity. If you ever choose to attend a meet as a competitor, volunteer or just to check it out and tag along with some masters afterwards you would probably be surprised at how much fun people are having making new friends, setting goals and providing support to keep at the training.
Lot's of great folks here (Thornton being the exception...stay far away) and were glad you joined us.
A race is something that happens once in a while, whereas a lifetime of swimming lasts, well, a lifetime. Yes, it's great to break a certain time in a certain race, but it's also great to have the self-discpline to keep at a daily swimming program and work on improving one's technique and endurance. Both are valid, and, to my mind, neither is more worthy of praise than the other.
Sftom...it's sad and interesting that you see the comradarie that has been built between members on this forum thru a shared passion for swimming/competing as somehow "hardcore" and a subtle (or not) jab at non-competing masters as lesser somehow.
Teams, competition, rivalries, bets, good natured ribbing all act as "glue" of sorts for those of us who share the same passion for fitness as yourself. I also would suggest to you that whether you compete or not...working out with swimmers who do and coaches that adjust training cycles based on competition improves everyone's level of fitness.
So the next time your reading on this forum try and look at the banter between those of us who enjoy racing not as a put down to folks who don't...but rather an oppurtunity. If you ever choose to attend a meet as a competitor, volunteer or just to check it out and tag along with some masters afterwards you would probably be surprised at how much fun people are having making new friends, setting goals and providing support to keep at the training.
Lot's of great folks here (Thornton being the exception...stay far away) and were glad you joined us.
