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.
I think otherwise. I'm far more impressed that my 63 year old father is still in the pool now still cranking out times and competing at the elite of his age group than I am with the fact that he once swam at USC in his late teens/early 20s. For those of us who were serious/hard core swimmers in our youth, we mostly were able to dedicate ourselves to our sport with little other distraction than school. Competing at an elite level in your 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s ... 90s requires balancing sooo much more that, to me, it's a more impressive feat.
It is impressive, I agree, but the times/results that such person is able to achieve are dictated largely by the work that was put in as a youth and who is or is not still swimming. I am impressed they can multi-task and that they continue to pursue fitness. However, I would always be more impressed by what someone does at their peak against a full field of swimmers at their peak, than masters records/results.
Tim
I think otherwise. I'm far more impressed that my 63 year old father is still in the pool now still cranking out times and competing at the elite of his age group than I am with the fact that he once swam at USC in his late teens/early 20s. For those of us who were serious/hard core swimmers in our youth, we mostly were able to dedicate ourselves to our sport with little other distraction than school. Competing at an elite level in your 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s ... 90s requires balancing sooo much more that, to me, it's a more impressive feat.
It is impressive, I agree, but the times/results that such person is able to achieve are dictated largely by the work that was put in as a youth and who is or is not still swimming. I am impressed they can multi-task and that they continue to pursue fitness. However, I would always be more impressed by what someone does at their peak against a full field of swimmers at their peak, than masters records/results.
Tim
