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 in some ways I can understand what Mr. Negative is saying. I think, unfortunately, there is a "take things too seriously crowd" in every aspect of life. For example, when my husband took a job in the little town we now live in, his firm offered to pay the dues if we joined the local country club. At first, I really didn't want to join because there were people that belonged to it that acted like they were royalty simply because they belonged to the little town country club. I liked to refer to them as the "nouveau riche" or "nouveaus" for fun. I really didn't want to be around it.
When we decided to start a family, I reluctantly agreed to join. I did have to swallow hard for awhile and even came close to buying an $800 rusted out pick-up truck that you had to turn on with a screwdriver for the purpose of driving it up to the club. I couldn't decide whether I should wear a pair of Daisy Dukes and get out at the swimming pool or borrow a $2,000 dress from a friend and get out of the truck at the clubhouse for Sunday brunch.
In the end, I decided not to buy the truck and to shape up my attitude as my sister pointed out that I had a reverse form of snobbery. If the "noveaus" looked down their nose at me for not acting like they did, I was just as bad as they were for mocking them.
It is a shame that the former champion swimmers don't join masters. With their laid-back, let's just have fun attitude, they would be good role models for the over-the-top swimmers. In the end though, the ones that don't join are only hurting themselves.
She was very down on herself, and actually told us that her swimming success means more to her than her CHILDREN! Something is seriously wrong with that attitude. She said it honestly, and you could tell she absolutely meant it. She has THREE kids, by the way!!! To me, this is where a love for swimming crosses the line. Big time.
maybe her kids suck. i've met lots of kids and there aren't many i would miss a bad workout in an over-chlorinated Y pool with a 2 1/2 foot deep shallow end, 90 degree water, and a lane full of overweight noodlers for. (but thats just me)
The number of ex national finalists is minuscule when compared to the number of people who can swim. Is there a good reason USMS should cater to the ex nation finalist demographic over the majority of swimmers?
"Cater"..... of course not..... "try to attract".... yes. These are individuals with great experiences and knowledge to share with others in the sport, not to mention their potential friendship.
Most would enjoy working out and racing for fun, but most don't feel it's "real" competition compared to their previous experience. Sometimes they are amused by what they see.
e.g...... when they hear or see a participant getting wrapped around the axel because their performance wasn't included in a USMS top 10 listing, they think it all seems a bit ........ well......... ridiculous.
The problem is that for many elite swimmers, their primary income comes from the suit manufacturer sponsoring them — and they may believe that company no longer makes the fastest suit."
www.google.com/.../ALeqM5hA37i7vfIMgyk4Z69LzoOm3WqmoQD9961H680
But in the end.... really..... should master's swimmers care about the difference between a LZR and a Jaked? They both do an effective job of holding in your flabby gut, and that is what old people really need.
The rubber suits are great for USMS.... they make an otherwise unappealing spectator sport more pallatable.
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.
The original question I posed comes from many friends I've met who I have spoken to about participating in Master Swimming for fun. Admittedly some are mentally burnt out from yardage and bad coaching. Many, however, just don't want to have to deal with the things I've mentioned about what appears to be a growing crowd of over-the-top "triathlete" like behavior.
Too bad.... as there are a lot of Ex's out there that would enjoy casual workouts, sharing their past, and finding amusement in a race once or twice a year.
You crack me up hillbilly! ...
Paul,
Please continue to insult Geek at every opporunity that you get. But please, please do not call him a hillbilly. That is an insult to me and every other red blooded, barefoot walkin, outhousin usin, toothless chewin, gun tote-in hillbilly.
Geek ain't a hillbilly. We wouldn't have him as one of us. He takes life toooo seriously and too fast paced to be considered a hillbilly. He's a damn city slicker and we don't want his kind to be associated with us.
Thank You for your understandin and attention in this manner. Now, back to the hourly Geek bashin as you know it.
Signed,
The Country Bumpkin
What, you're allowed to ridicule others and post ridiculous nonsense, but we're not allowed to ridicule you back? I haven't had this much fun on the DF in ages. :)
I doubt, moreover, that anyone is "threatened" by your rhetoric. Just amused that people might actually think this way.
Your right....... I doubt anyone on this forum would be upset if their times were not represented accurately in USMS top ten listing too.
www.thelimucompany.com/Default.aspxthelimucompany.com/.../Default.aspx
Horrors! This says Rowdy trained EVERY day. He must not be on board with the rule that it's unseemly to train more than 3x a week to break NRs or grab TTs if you have true "talent." He should be called out. Next thing you know, it'll be revealed that he has a masseuse and personal trainer.
