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 don't know what swimming culture you guys grew up in ... our coaches actively encouraged us to idolize and copy (with our weak imitations) the likes of Goodell & Salnikov (we were aspiring d-guys), as well as the regional and state-wide "heroes" who we could learn from. Pursuing, admiring & learning from excellence is always a good thing, IMHO. Call me a swim-nerd, but I find this sport wonderful to cheer about, study and obsess about ... AT ANY AGE.
This reminds me of something I see cropping up in interviews with swim coaches nowadays: ownership. Coaches will often talk now of a swimmer showing great "ownership" of their training and racing. Generally, I think it means being involved in their own training. But a big part of that is swimmers logging training sessions, breaking down tape, and studying the sport to find out what works for them and what doesn't.
A public blog is a great way to take ownership in your training, especially for master's swimmers, who likely don't have the resources that large club teams have. A blog is more a communication tool than a platform for bragging. Is there even a tiny bit of ego involved in blogging? Sure, because you're putting your activities and ideas out there and giving others a glimpse into part of your life. But the benefit of useful feedback far outweighs the consternation of the egotism gendarme.
Not really. Learned my lesson a couple years ago, thanks to my gridge buddy and hard core triathlete blogger, Geekity. Really, Just because I enjoy responding to Smith postings and writing inflammatory responses doesn't mean I "internalize" them in the slightest. Don't flatter yourself, oh tattooed one.
Geek taught me the same lesson!
I was just thinking about this before you posted it, Paul. It seems like in swimming there's been this culture that you shouldn't show too much interest in the sport. Not just your own swimming, but swimming in general. You're not really supposed to idolize other swimmers or study results for big meets too much or other swimmers will mock you.
Is that a west coast thing? Cause that's for sure not the way I remember it here on the right coast. Heat sheets were paper gold and were disected in great detail. And it's not a generational thing as you and I are from the same age bracket :-)
Paul was it this "culture" that convinced you to swim the first 100 all-out on the front end of a 1000 to get a record? Give it a rest. YOu have the biggest ego on the board!
Actually yes...I chose to swim the 100 fly and 500 free on the last day instead of the 100 free and have never stopped hearing from the "competition" how much of a *** I was for dodging them...but they ended up owing me $$$ for not taking my time down...which was the bet..not the record.
The same "culture" is now setting odds over a combined time swimming the 50, 100, 200 @ 500/400...loser(s) will pay $$$, winners will dish abuse for the next 12 months....want a piece of the action?
Have we met?
Wow, this thread is really going nowhere!
I think I will squeeze my fat hocks into my rubber girdle suit and go scull around in the pool! If it works out okay I may post a picture when I'm done.....hopefully this thread will be done and I won't have to.:bighug:
The point of John's thread is clear. Those of us who are not now and never were elite swimmers should not take Masters swimming "too seriously" (as defined arbitrarily by him and other elite swimmers). We are free to pursue the sport for purposes of fun and health, of course, but should not blog about our experiences nor (heaven forbid) post "body shots" (unless, I assume, we are flabby old swimmers, in which case we cannot be accused of lacking in humility).
To the OP:
What, exactly, qualifies as "elite?" National-level? OT Qualifier? Olympian? Depending on the definition I may or may not qualify as having once been "elite." If I do qualify, then am I confused. Am I obligated now to take masters swimming seriously because I once was elite? Do I have to blog? Or wear a tech suit?
Or, maybe I'm now obligated to goof off in practice and make fun of anyone who takes their swimming seriously in any fashion? How often do I need to make fun of those who do blog or wear tech suits? Please explain. I need to know the rules here so as not to offend...
Speaking of obsessed folks I like, my daughter shared a lane today with two of Puff's SwimAtlanta training partners, both older teens. They hold her in high regard. They asked me if I was as fast as Puff and I answered, "Indeed I am," then meekly added, "not."
Oh wow Geek. Hey that makes my day (not your being slower than me but rather what the SWAT kids said.) Was having a bad day until I read this. Thanks!
I think it's funny (not necessarily bad) that you enjoy toying with people in an attempt to get them worked up and reacting on-line. It probably gives you a superior, almost Godlike feeling I suppose. :angel: R.I.P.
I have to say that in getting to know Paul (ironically virtually only), he's been a key players in getting me to view my swimming and training differently. I still have a long ways to go AND I'm as stubborn as a mule, but gosh darn it the man knows what he's talking about when it comes to swimming. Oh, and I have to thank Jimby as well for calling me a hack. Pissed me off so much I actually fixed my kick. :D So I guess getting me *worked up* on occasion is not necessarily a bad thing - at least it gets me to swim faster times!
