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.
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I am late to this thread, and haven't read all the replies, but here is my response to the OP.
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.
I think Master's swimming should be whatever you want it to be. Most of the masters teams I have heard of didn't really have a "team" that visited meets together as a group like in high school or college. As a result, if you wanted to compete, it really was "all about me" most of the time when training.
Why would there even been a USMS organization, swim meets or records if the overall goal wasn't to compete and be a serious swimmer? I think its awesome that there is room for casual swimmers who just want to exercise in the water to be healthy, but I think losing the competitive focus would be to lose something special about swimming. For some, the excitement of competition is the motivation to keep exercising that sets swimming apart from just visiting the gym or running on the treadmill.
Isn't it just "masters swimming" for health and fun in the end?
Competition for some *IS* the health and fun. I don't think Master's was envisioned as just workout in the water, its a logical place for swimmers who want to compete in their age group when they get out of college and into the real world. The laid back nature of it is just a symptom of adults having real world pressures and the sport isn't the only thing in our lives anymore.
Does a masters record really mean that much?
Is this a good thing? ..... or a turn off for those who look on with amusement.
Are you amused when Michael Phelps wants to win more gold medals than anyone else? Does this desire somehow become less meaningful when you get older? I think there is no greater goal in life than to better one's self and progress forward. Why would that pursuit be funny to you?
If your goal is to just swim and have fun, why does it matter to you what motivates someone else to swim? Why would their passion affect you in any way such that it is a "turnoff"? Are there a lot of elitist competitive swimmers at your pool?
I am late to this thread, and haven't read all the replies, but here is my response to the OP.
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.
I think Master's swimming should be whatever you want it to be. Most of the masters teams I have heard of didn't really have a "team" that visited meets together as a group like in high school or college. As a result, if you wanted to compete, it really was "all about me" most of the time when training.
Why would there even been a USMS organization, swim meets or records if the overall goal wasn't to compete and be a serious swimmer? I think its awesome that there is room for casual swimmers who just want to exercise in the water to be healthy, but I think losing the competitive focus would be to lose something special about swimming. For some, the excitement of competition is the motivation to keep exercising that sets swimming apart from just visiting the gym or running on the treadmill.
Isn't it just "masters swimming" for health and fun in the end?
Competition for some *IS* the health and fun. I don't think Master's was envisioned as just workout in the water, its a logical place for swimmers who want to compete in their age group when they get out of college and into the real world. The laid back nature of it is just a symptom of adults having real world pressures and the sport isn't the only thing in our lives anymore.
Does a masters record really mean that much?
Is this a good thing? ..... or a turn off for those who look on with amusement.
Are you amused when Michael Phelps wants to win more gold medals than anyone else? Does this desire somehow become less meaningful when you get older? I think there is no greater goal in life than to better one's self and progress forward. Why would that pursuit be funny to you?
If your goal is to just swim and have fun, why does it matter to you what motivates someone else to swim? Why would their passion affect you in any way such that it is a "turnoff"? Are there a lot of elitist competitive swimmers at your pool?
