Yet...... another comment on "elitism" in masters swimming. This ongoing battle of two imaginary groups....... the selfish former elite swimmers and the non elite counter parts.
Yes..... The Evil Smith and I have taken great pleasure throughout the last decade trying to secretly split USMS into these two groups. Our efforts to perpetuate this divide and fuel our intolerance for "learners" is now being undermined..... :-)
One Big Happy Family: Marcinkowski’s Masters
reachforthewall.com/.../
"Butcher, Zerkle and others say numbers have soared because Marcinkowski has tried to strip the elitism from masters swimming, often thought to be populated with former competitive stars who have little tolerance for learners."
Parents
Former Member
Then I'm really in the dead zone being a former non elite who really enjoys pushing myself and competing now.
Unfortunately, after about 10 years of masters experience all over the country, I've found these things in masters:
No coach on deck with perhaps a written workout if you're lucky
No stroke or technique instruction
Workouts geared towards triathletes
Very little speed work or quality work
Minimal kick sets
Lack of pool time and/ or space for masters
No SDK work
Lack of variation in workouts. For example, there is warm up always followed by a pull set followed by a fin set
No instruction for weight or dryland programs
It has been very challenging to excel as a non-elite with these kind of workouts and the attitude that everyone seems to have of, "Oh, it's just masters." I see the opposite issue in that one is labeled as "too serious" or "too uptight" if you actually want to consistently do workouts geared for your specific goals. Just sayin'.....
You're not in the dead zone. Many swim with your ambition. I wish I had more these days. This issue was merely brought out by an article I read, and it implied something that has been complained about off and on for years in masters..... but noteably.... not by the accused.... i.e. the so called elite swimmers.
Your complaints are frequently valid. I have witnessed many of them over the years. In the end though..... it's just you and your willingness to get to the pool and do something productive every day despite the program. I've been swimming by myself for many years now. I am always the least prepared in the final heat at masters nationals. And although it has been difficult and unmotivating to keep swimming, I seem to keep showing up.... :-)
Then I'm really in the dead zone being a former non elite who really enjoys pushing myself and competing now.
Unfortunately, after about 10 years of masters experience all over the country, I've found these things in masters:
No coach on deck with perhaps a written workout if you're lucky
No stroke or technique instruction
Workouts geared towards triathletes
Very little speed work or quality work
Minimal kick sets
Lack of pool time and/ or space for masters
No SDK work
Lack of variation in workouts. For example, there is warm up always followed by a pull set followed by a fin set
No instruction for weight or dryland programs
It has been very challenging to excel as a non-elite with these kind of workouts and the attitude that everyone seems to have of, "Oh, it's just masters." I see the opposite issue in that one is labeled as "too serious" or "too uptight" if you actually want to consistently do workouts geared for your specific goals. Just sayin'.....
You're not in the dead zone. Many swim with your ambition. I wish I had more these days. This issue was merely brought out by an article I read, and it implied something that has been complained about off and on for years in masters..... but noteably.... not by the accused.... i.e. the so called elite swimmers.
Your complaints are frequently valid. I have witnessed many of them over the years. In the end though..... it's just you and your willingness to get to the pool and do something productive every day despite the program. I've been swimming by myself for many years now. I am always the least prepared in the final heat at masters nationals. And although it has been difficult and unmotivating to keep swimming, I seem to keep showing up.... :-)
