Masters Swimmers Acting Like Triathletes

Some are more genetically gifted than others and it may take them less work to excel than others. It would seem to me that those that are so genetically gifted should appreciate their gift and be gracious to those that have to work hard and still can't be on their level. Laughing at and mocking those that desire to be good and work hard at it is not admirable at all What? I just got Smith to admit he's genetically inferior to me (despite the fact that he stretches at grocery stores and other odd places) and I have to shut up about it?

Not a chance. :anim_coffee: Someone talking smack to ME?? Ah you made my day! :notworthy:

Last I saw none of these people posted vanity/body shots of themselves...or has a training blog on-line. You're just insanely jealous that I can still do the splits without stretching and without yoga ... :angel: She Puff, I doubt there's a mother alive who doesn't have days when she wondered why she bothered to procreate!

Okay, I'll bite. Why? It seems pretty clear that your open water experience is limited. Most events are just as competitive as those swam in a pool; Olympians and the like. Times are very important, and recorded. There are All Americans and rankings. I admire your unorthodox style of backstroke and your speedy times, but you won't do squat swimming that way with the big boys.

Gull...you may see it differently...but IMHO Rowdy is not in the realm of vanity that I think a few of us were trying to point out here. He works for Limu and has done an incredible job (as has the company) in promoting swimming to all levels of swimmers. Yes, he promotes the sport of swimming and his company (Limu), but he also promotes himself. And I see absolutely nothing wrong with that. My point was that he doesn't seem to view Masters swimming and record-setting as an "amusement" which should be left to overly obsessive (not to mention "flabby") swimmers of lesser talent. If I, too, have entered the "realm of vanity" by posting a photo of myself, or by maintaining a training blog, then I am in good company and won't lose any sleep over it.

.I have no jealosy what-so-ever of your ability to do the splits as I see this as a genetic limitiation on my part... i am jealous of anyone who can do a split, as i have nearly worn out my hips trying..... and if i could do one i would probably do a split on the white house lawn! i think this thread just proves that "former high ranked in their youth now masters swimmers" who think this should be for "fun" should get lost and do an ironman or swim the channel or ride raam....... time to start living again.

Chris...I'll assume that the "less is more" comment was directed at me. Not entirely no, though your recent post did remind me of the phenomenon. It seems pretty clear that your open water experience is limited. Most events are just as competitive as those swam in a pool; Olympians and the like. Times are very important, and recorded. There are All Americans and rankings. I admire your unorthodox style of backstroke and your speedy times, but you won't do squat swimming that way with the big boys. Um, I've been in a few OW races and I have done okay, having been a LD All-American multiple times. I even hold two USMS OW records, though I don't kid myself that they would survive contact with the likes of Erwin or Kostich, or other "real" OW swimmers. Probably because OW races can be very competitive. The competition is different from the competition in the pool but it isn't less serious, in my experience. For one thing, it's head-to-head, direct competition, every time. In Pacific Masters, some of the fastest swimmers rarely or never go to pool meets. They train hard, and focus on the summer-fall OW series, and take it seriously in a healthy, fun way. I like it, but I don't think someone who was really burned out on competition would find an OW swim any more fun than a pool meet unless the swim was in a really special venue. I'm aware they are serious but time is important mostly in context. In one ocean swim I sometimes do, the winning time can vary wildly from year to year depending on current/conditions. This sort of thing means the competition for top spots within the race itself can be fierce but makes it harder to compare times across competitions based on distance alone. My wife is a former college swimmer and now does mostly OW swims...she doesn't swim as much as she would like and gets depressed by her pool times but feels more accomplishment out of completing a tough OW swim and doesn't worry about her time (or her placement much, either). For myself, I mostly find OW races valuable largely as training swims for "real" (ie, pool) competition.:) (Just having fun.) YMMV, obviously. Added in edit: I am not trying to get into an OW vs pool thing. Maybe it seems obvious, but if someone is well and truly burned out on competition, then racing in ANY venue is not going to be very attractive. But the behavior that Mr Neg complained about (obsessing about times, Top Ten, records) seems to me to be less a part of OW competitions and culture. That isn't to say that people don't take the races seriously. There is also a "man vs nature" element to some arduous swims that can supplant "man vs man" (sorry for the sexist wording.:)) A former elite pool racer may find OW races different enough from NCAA/USS competitions to ignite his/her interest in competing in the sport again.

We were talking to another swimmer who wasn't having her best meet. She's a talented swimmer, has some records, scores high at nationals, etc. 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. Hmmmmm. . . couple of observations. And I'm not even disagreeing with Laura or our thread poster in any way. 1. I may be the only one who did not grow up with Wally and the Beave, but based on the stunts that my brother and I pulled as kids, if my mother's worst reaction was denouncing us children in public and claiming that she loved her hobby over her kids, that would be considered a very good day for us!!! 2. I'm starting to think I will not live to see the day when we women stop being so critical of eachother (in every area but particularly when it comes to family, career and children.)

I have to say I'm finding this thread increasingly weird. I can't understand the obsession with others. Who cares? Just do your own thing. What is the impact to you - nothing, zip, nada. I personally find hard core dedicated adult athletes vastly more interesting than what I guess Mr. Negative wants. What this forum repeatedly comes back to by former elites is the sense of entitlement they feel they alone deserve, but no others. Hard work and dedication is to be admired. I also suspect if Mr. Negative ever ventured outside of swimming into other sports a little more humility might be found. I get up at 4:30 to workout because this is when I can workout and not interfere with work, wife, kids. But, Mr. Negative, I guess you get to dictate when people workout. Bottom line - jealousy breeds contempt. Worry about yourself, not others.

Anyone who thinks masters swimming has gotten too competitive hasn't paid much attention to the results from our national championships. Go ten or fifteen deep into the results and you will see that the casual approach is alive and well.