Masters Swimmers Acting Like Triathletes

I'm with you on that hard work Fort...trying to get into that plank postion and hold for more than :10! After all your yoga and cross fit efforts, I'd think you'd at least be up to :20 by now! Is that a pink women's suit or your tutu you have on in that vanity photo?

I'm with you on that hard work Fort...trying to get into that plank postion and hold for more than :10! I guess that you are trying to be Arizona's version of Jim Thornton with the pink concoction.

I guess that you are trying to be Arizona's version of Jim Thornton with the pink concoction. And my own "eliteness"! Fort, its the "modesty suit" that the two teenager girls who were timing in Portland sent me after..."the incedent". Starting my "body shots" album on FB tomorrow and growing my fingernails out for my next meet starting today!

I admire your unorthodox style of backstroke and your speedy times, but you won't do squat swimming that way with the big boys. I suppose that you're one of the big boys, then? You sound like that little pipsqueak dog in the cartoon, the one that stands a bit behind the big tough dog and goes "Ya me too." It's not a me, too statement. I don't believe Chris called you a nitwit - I did. Do a BIT of homework before you criticize the accomplishments of other swimmers.

Do a BIT of homework before you criticize the accomplishments of other swimmers. By golly, I don't think I ever criticized the esteemed Mr. Stevenson's accomplishments. He has reached lofty heights in competitive swimming. I salute them. Your yapping is tiresome. Sit. Good boy.

I'll let Mr. Negative answer for himself...I can only speak from my perspective and guess as to what he is talking about. In my opinion he's calling out a handful of swimmers who take themselves so seriously that it's really not all that fun to be around. Let's let him speak for himself, then. Now back to my question: Does it seem like there are more and more people getting wound up in USMS like the obsessed training triathletes nuts these days? Of course there many ex national finalists that are turned off by the intensity and success of lessor talents. Many roll their eyes at the thought of taking USMS for anything more serious than health and fun. 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. 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.

After all your yoga and cross fit efforts, I'd think you'd at least be up to :20 by now! Is that a pink women's suit or your tutu you have on in that vanity photo? Fort, notice that he is posing like you in my suit! Look at my blog photo - it is the same suit! I guess he killed two birds with one stone so to speak.

I'm not sure who looks on with amusement; are there many former elites who won't swim masters because those who do swim take it too seriously? I've been thinking about this "amusement" aspect. All swim meets are amusing in some way. 6 & unders crying before their races, college guys changing into their clothes on the pool deck no matter who's watching, Lezak drafting Bernard, Masters swimmers blowing out B70's... I'm glad that swim meets are amusing, and don't want them to change a bit.

Fort, notice that he is posing like you in my suit! Look at my blog photo - it is the same suit! I guess he killed two birds with one stone so to speak. So that's his split, huh? And here I thought it was some fancified yoga pose. I think he has good legs. Plus, pink is clearly his color, and he should stick with it. Perhaps he could amuse us at meets by wearing that suit instead of his Pro or B70?

..... From what I am gathering, there is not a problem with folks being hard-core about their training. It seems to be more about how people are manifesting their competitive nature. There does seem to be a certain amount of pressure from having been good in the past and coming back to compete for fun. I've seen people get in the face of former great athletes when they return to the competition arena for the first time in 10 years and after a race ask, "What happened to you? I beat you." Rather than encouraging the former greats to continue their comeback, some competitors take great delight in pointing out where the former greats went out too hard or messed up on their race. I can see why some former greats might ask themselves, "Is it worth coming back to race to put up with this crap? I just want to have fun and not have people getting in my face about my race." There is a price to be paid for having been good in the past, but I hope that the former greats out there won't continue to let a few nuts keep them from enjoying the comraderie of masters swimming. Another response nicely stated.... and not threatened. Thank you for answering my initial questions.