I fall into the train and non-compete category, like the majority (around 70-80%) of registered USMS members.
On my team, we have ample opportunity to do timed swims, before/during/after workouts, and I'll do those on a regular basis, and those are more than enough to satisfy any competition bug I may get. I used to do 2-3 meets a year, and did the USMS national meet when it was local, but I just saw little reason to compete when I'm not even close to NQT's.
The primary reason I workout is for general health and fitness. The results I see in the mirror and hear from others (especially my doctor) are far more important than how fast I can or can't swim. I swim with USMS teams 99% of the time, and if I don't show for workout, I'll usually get a comment from the coach or a fellow swimmer when I miss. Once I'm there, I'll do whatever the coach says to do. The coaches do a fantastic job motivating me--and everyone else--by recording times, keeping team records, etc.
I don't compete in pools anymore. I like OW races because it is about the race not the time. And in every OW rce there are always races within a race. For example in a 5K last year a group broke from the front so fast I never had a shot, but half way into the race a group of us had come together and we raced stroke for stroke, each of us trying to break away. It came down to the lake 400 meters. Lots of fun.
I think people who can train hard and not need to compete are gifted. Unfortunately I am afflicted with the "must compete or I'll sleep in and have ice cream for breakfast" group. However, while I do most of my swim training in a pool, I only race in open water.
I compete every chance I get but I don't practice too hard. This is my first season swimming, been to 3 meets, but I have only attended 2 coached practices. This is partially due to my work schedule, but another reason is my practice swimming is very laid back and enjoyable, maybe only 2 - 3 minutes of suffering throughout.
Even if I'm slow and come close to last place, as long as my times still improve I will keep the same method. At some point I will hit a wall, then I might have to change things.
I train with people who train hard but never compete and I just don't get it. If I don't compete, eventually, I won't train very hard. That will lead to not training at all. I need to have goals and train for meets so this way, I will keep the training going.
I think it depends, as Jeeves would say, on the psychology of the individual. Some get more gratification out of the daily workouts per se, and others want a long term structure to training with a big meet at the end of it.
