Why does it appear many masters swimmers are taking USMS so seriously?
What's the difference between the typical "selfish train all day", "it's all about me" triathlete and a masters swimmer who seriously trains as hard as they can.... particularly to focus on setting masters records?
Seems like there is a growing parallel between triathletes and many masters swimmers these days.
Isn't it just "masters swimming" for health and fun in the end?
Does a masters record really mean that much?
Is this a good thing? ..... or a turn off for those who look on with amusement.
Chris,
As a whole, there still doesn't seem to be that many ex swimmers that went to nationals in their day participating in USMS..... particularly top level performers. There's a few, but not that many and interesting when you consider their strong level of enthusiasm and dedication decades ago.
I doubt this level of enthusiasm displayed by more and more USMS hard core participants is what former elite swimmers are looking to match. A few come back and swim moderately hard.... but you'll have to agree most stay away permanently, which is..... unfortunate.
Might I throw out the notion that some former national finalists actually stay away from USMS because of the hard core participants in their age groups as they don't care to deal with the obession and comparison factor. Most would rather swim for fun and health and not deal with absurdity of comparing so
called "best times" in your old age.
Ugh, what snobby elitism. So the hard core masters should chill out and cut back training so that the former "greats" can swim masters for fun without getting their asses kicked and suffering humiliation? And, uh, the so-called "absurdity" of comparing times in age groups is the very essence and definition of masters competition.
Now, I'm off to train with some former and still excellent swimmers who do something other than whine.
Chris,
As a whole, there still doesn't seem to be that many ex swimmers that went to nationals in their day participating in USMS..... particularly top level performers. There's a few, but not that many and interesting when you consider their strong level of enthusiasm and dedication decades ago.
I doubt this level of enthusiasm displayed by more and more USMS hard core participants is what former elite swimmers are looking to match. A few come back and swim moderately hard.... but you'll have to agree most stay away permanently, which is..... unfortunate.
Might I throw out the notion that some former national finalists actually stay away from USMS because of the hard core participants in their age groups as they don't care to deal with the obession and comparison factor. Most would rather swim for fun and health and not deal with absurdity of comparing so
called "best times" in your old age.
Ugh, what snobby elitism. So the hard core masters should chill out and cut back training so that the former "greats" can swim masters for fun without getting their asses kicked and suffering humiliation? And, uh, the so-called "absurdity" of comparing times in age groups is the very essence and definition of masters competition.
Now, I'm off to train with some former and still excellent swimmers who do something other than whine.
