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.
Some was for comedic and argumentative effect, naturally, and some was serious though couched in a bemused tone.
The writing is classic JS and so is the use of the phrase "I suggest." The admonition to "use your I statements" was just used previously in this thread by the other Smith. And, as I recall, White Buffalo, much like the Smiths, is always a poster on the drug threads. The pejorative classification of "wanna-bee" masters swimmers vs. NCAA champs is classic condescending JS speak as well.
There is no rule that says that former NCAA champs will be at the top of their swimming game their whole life. They could become fat unfit alcoholics who die of a heart attack or otherwise lapse into satiated mediocrity while their allegedly clueless don't "get it" peers maintain fitness. I personally think the "get it" thing is utterly overstated. Most people that are swimming fast are working reasonably hard. At least, to my knowledge, the former Olympian and national finalist(s) in my age group are.
Yet in spite of all the jabs, sarcasm, defensiveness, eliteism and in Thorntons case drug induced rambling the bottom line is that...whether you are a masters swimmers, a USA swimmer, a triathlete, a never ever, a soccer mom or a stalker like Jim if you are going to post pictures of yourself on-line with your trophys, blog about it, post body shots, put down others and in general show an inflated ego and lack of humility....you are/and should be fair game for mockery....
Some was for comedic and argumentative effect, naturally, and some was serious though couched in a bemused tone.
The writing is classic JS and so is the use of the phrase "I suggest." The admonition to "use your I statements" was just used previously in this thread by the other Smith. And, as I recall, White Buffalo, much like the Smiths, is always a poster on the drug threads. The pejorative classification of "wanna-bee" masters swimmers vs. NCAA champs is classic condescending JS speak as well.
There is no rule that says that former NCAA champs will be at the top of their swimming game their whole life. They could become fat unfit alcoholics who die of a heart attack or otherwise lapse into satiated mediocrity while their allegedly clueless don't "get it" peers maintain fitness. I personally think the "get it" thing is utterly overstated. Most people that are swimming fast are working reasonably hard. At least, to my knowledge, the former Olympian and national finalist(s) in my age group are.
Yet in spite of all the jabs, sarcasm, defensiveness, eliteism and in Thorntons case drug induced rambling the bottom line is that...whether you are a masters swimmers, a USA swimmer, a triathlete, a never ever, a soccer mom or a stalker like Jim if you are going to post pictures of yourself on-line with your trophys, blog about it, post body shots, put down others and in general show an inflated ego and lack of humility....you are/and should be fair game for mockery....
