Masters Swimmers Acting Like Triathletes

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? If you're comparing masters triathletes - who, like most masters swimmers - have jobs, families, lives, etc - probably there's little or no difference. Seems like there is a growing parallel between triathletes and many masters swimmers these days. Word. Isn't it just "masters swimming" for health and fun in the end? Given the relatively small percentage of the membership that competes, probably yes for most. But I don't find that health and fun and hard training/competition are mutually exclusive. Does a masters record really mean that much? I suppose that depends on each individual's goals, background, etc. Many masters records are very fast, as you know, having set many yourself. While the times may not compare to what yesterday's or today's elites did/do, maybe it still means "something" to be the fastest 50-54 100m freestyler in the world - at least in the relatively small world of competitive swimming. One should be able to enjoy one's accomplishments, having (likely) worked hard for them. It would be nice if we all enjoyed them with a degree of humility - knowing that there will always eventually be someone faster - but that is probably wishful thinking. Inability to put things in perspective is not unique to triathlon or masters swimming. Is this a good thing? ..... or a turn off for those who look on with amusement. I'm not sure who looks on with amusement; are there many former elites who won't swim masters because those who do swim take it too seriously? If so, that would be too bad - it seems to me that masters meets are by and large all about healthy competition, and pre- and post-race fun and friendship. I would love to see more of my old teammates and competitors get back into it; I do my best to recruit them when I can... My :2cents:: It is probably to be expected that the growth of masters swimming from its humble beginnings would have desirable and undesirable side-effects. You can hopefully name a few desirable ones along with the negatives. I personally enjoy the fact that many former "elites" have found their way back to the sport in their 30s, 40s or 50s. Could it be that there is an even larger number NOT coming back precisely because of the "changed" atmosphere? Perhaps - but we'll never know, by definition. Isn't it good for swimming - and masters swimming - that Mr. Gaines swam in Ft. Lauderdale and Clovis? Suppose you were a was a mid 43 100y freestyler in the early 1980s. You're now in your late 40s. You're thinking about swimming masters. But you see that the tech suits have enabled many "lesser" swimmers to achieve times that you think they could not have achieved with a regular suit, perhaps not even "back then". What should you do? I say, put on a B70 or other suit of choice and have a go. All you've got to lose is a few extra pounds, right? And if there are a few swimmers who beat you on occasion, and think that it means something, let them enjoy their moment of glory. After all, you had yours, too, all those years ago. :chug:

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? If you're comparing masters triathletes - who, like most masters swimmers - have jobs, families, lives, etc - probably there's little or no difference. Seems like there is a growing parallel between triathletes and many masters swimmers these days. Word. Isn't it just "masters swimming" for health and fun in the end? Given the relatively small percentage of the membership that competes, probably yes for most. But I don't find that health and fun and hard training/competition are mutually exclusive. Does a masters record really mean that much? I suppose that depends on each individual's goals, background, etc. Many masters records are very fast, as you know, having set many yourself. While the times may not compare to what yesterday's or today's elites did/do, maybe it still means "something" to be the fastest 50-54 100m freestyler in the world - at least in the relatively small world of competitive swimming. One should be able to enjoy one's accomplishments, having (likely) worked hard for them. It would be nice if we all enjoyed them with a degree of humility - knowing that there will always eventually be someone faster - but that is probably wishful thinking. Inability to put things in perspective is not unique to triathlon or masters swimming. Is this a good thing? ..... or a turn off for those who look on with amusement. I'm not sure who looks on with amusement; are there many former elites who won't swim masters because those who do swim take it too seriously? If so, that would be too bad - it seems to me that masters meets are by and large all about healthy competition, and pre- and post-race fun and friendship. I would love to see more of my old teammates and competitors get back into it; I do my best to recruit them when I can... My :2cents:: It is probably to be expected that the growth of masters swimming from its humble beginnings would have desirable and undesirable side-effects. You can hopefully name a few desirable ones along with the negatives. I personally enjoy the fact that many former "elites" have found their way back to the sport in their 30s, 40s or 50s. Could it be that there is an even larger number NOT coming back precisely because of the "changed" atmosphere? Perhaps - but we'll never know, by definition. Isn't it good for swimming - and masters swimming - that Mr. Gaines swam in Ft. Lauderdale and Clovis? Suppose you were a was a mid 43 100y freestyler in the early 1980s. You're now in your late 40s. You're thinking about swimming masters. But you see that the tech suits have enabled many "lesser" swimmers to achieve times that you think they could not have achieved with a regular suit, perhaps not even "back then". What should you do? I say, put on a B70 or other suit of choice and have a go. All you've got to lose is a few extra pounds, right? And if there are a few swimmers who beat you on occasion, and think that it means something, let them enjoy their moment of glory. After all, you had yours, too, all those years ago. :chug: