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.
Parents
Former Member
I hate to respond to an obvious troll but...
Why does it bug you so much? If you dont want to compete then dont. If you dont like the competitive talk on this BB, dont read it. If your team is too focused on competition (and I doubt that), find a new one, or swim solo.
Do your own thing and stop clucking about what masters swimming "should be" - we are all adults now, who cares about what everyone else is doing?
What an epiphany! You're right--the "elite" swimmers should do their own thing and not worry about what the "less accomplished" person is doing--including making fun of someone else's time. If they don't have something good and supportive to say, they should NOT SAY ANYTHING AT ALL. If you have to beat someone down, there is something wrong with YOU. My problem is with people (ANY people) who belittle someone else for achievements that aren't on par with their own. Who's to say the guy's 100 time wasn't his best-ever, just because it was slower than theirs? Who gave anyone the right to make fun of, put down, turn their noses up, or even discuss somebody else's work? They're out there DOING IT, aren't they? They're not sitting on their butts on a sofa...they're swimming the same workout as the "good" swimmers. Yeah, they may be slower. Yeah, their stroke may be a little off. Yeah, they might not look as good as you do in a Speedo. But how can someone stand there and claim to be better than someone else for ANY reason?
There is NO excuse for arrogance--anybody with an arrogant attitude never has a reason to be arrogant. If anything, they should be supporting the person in their efforts--not smacking them down to make themselves feel better. People like that don't *belong* in competition, no matter what their level. If they're so good, they can go off and swim with Michael Phelps.
At least the person is OUT there. And you can increase a slow time, but there isn't much you can do about a big head. The same people you step on on the way you think is UP are the same people you meet on the way back DOWN. That person you're putting down might never beat you, but hey, he sure is further ahead.
I hate to respond to an obvious troll but...
Why does it bug you so much? If you dont want to compete then dont. If you dont like the competitive talk on this BB, dont read it. If your team is too focused on competition (and I doubt that), find a new one, or swim solo.
Do your own thing and stop clucking about what masters swimming "should be" - we are all adults now, who cares about what everyone else is doing?
What an epiphany! You're right--the "elite" swimmers should do their own thing and not worry about what the "less accomplished" person is doing--including making fun of someone else's time. If they don't have something good and supportive to say, they should NOT SAY ANYTHING AT ALL. If you have to beat someone down, there is something wrong with YOU. My problem is with people (ANY people) who belittle someone else for achievements that aren't on par with their own. Who's to say the guy's 100 time wasn't his best-ever, just because it was slower than theirs? Who gave anyone the right to make fun of, put down, turn their noses up, or even discuss somebody else's work? They're out there DOING IT, aren't they? They're not sitting on their butts on a sofa...they're swimming the same workout as the "good" swimmers. Yeah, they may be slower. Yeah, their stroke may be a little off. Yeah, they might not look as good as you do in a Speedo. But how can someone stand there and claim to be better than someone else for ANY reason?
There is NO excuse for arrogance--anybody with an arrogant attitude never has a reason to be arrogant. If anything, they should be supporting the person in their efforts--not smacking them down to make themselves feel better. People like that don't *belong* in competition, no matter what their level. If they're so good, they can go off and swim with Michael Phelps.
At least the person is OUT there. And you can increase a slow time, but there isn't much you can do about a big head. The same people you step on on the way you think is UP are the same people you meet on the way back DOWN. That person you're putting down might never beat you, but hey, he sure is further ahead.
