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.
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.
I guess. I don't really understand why anyone would base their actions on what others are doing. Compete, don't compete, it is up to you. Most USMS members do not compete, and I don't think that is changing though I have no hard data.
As to motivation, I can only speak for myself: there was a long period of time when I didn't compete much partly because I still mentally compared myself to my "fast" days. Nothing to do with others' obsession or lack thereof. Once I hit 40 I realized how silly it was to worry about what I did 20 years prior.
Competition is fun as a motivation to keep at it, but I think that's all it is for most people who take it "seriously." And the thing is, one's performance at meets has as much to do with circumstances (family/job situation, access to pool & coaching, time to train, injuries, etc) as with talent and desire. I believe most people understand this.
Believe me, as the Top Ten Recorder in my LMSC, I know first-hand how seriously some people can take these things. I have received frantic emails and even the occasional phone call. I have had to print out on "official" USMS letterhead my statement that so-and-so set an LMSC record or achieved a Top Ten time. Such people are a very small minority and even so: if it helps keep them healthy and motivated, I just don't see the harm.
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.
I guess. I don't really understand why anyone would base their actions on what others are doing. Compete, don't compete, it is up to you. Most USMS members do not compete, and I don't think that is changing though I have no hard data.
As to motivation, I can only speak for myself: there was a long period of time when I didn't compete much partly because I still mentally compared myself to my "fast" days. Nothing to do with others' obsession or lack thereof. Once I hit 40 I realized how silly it was to worry about what I did 20 years prior.
Competition is fun as a motivation to keep at it, but I think that's all it is for most people who take it "seriously." And the thing is, one's performance at meets has as much to do with circumstances (family/job situation, access to pool & coaching, time to train, injuries, etc) as with talent and desire. I believe most people understand this.
Believe me, as the Top Ten Recorder in my LMSC, I know first-hand how seriously some people can take these things. I have received frantic emails and even the occasional phone call. I have had to print out on "official" USMS letterhead my statement that so-and-so set an LMSC record or achieved a Top Ten time. Such people are a very small minority and even so: if it helps keep them healthy and motivated, I just don't see the harm.
