I think it was Ande that said "it's not how fast you swim, it's how fast you slow down." I read that a few years ago and keep on coming back to it as I have watched my kids grow in their USA Swimming careers. When kids are around 8-10, many of the races are 50s. Lots of kids can swim relatively fast 50s compared to other kids even when their stroke technique is truly awful. But then once the clock strikes 11 (years old), all of the 50s go away (less one) - and magically many of the kids with bad technique who seemed fast start losing to kids in the 100s and 200s with superior strokes. My question is at what age are we masters swimmers when we start thinking 50 backstroke, 50 butterfly and 50 breaststroke are OK to race again? It is not OK. It brings our sport down to a level where people who train only 100s or less and focus on 25s are taking over our pools. No more I say!!! I think USMS rules should only allow these races for people in their 70s and older. Who is with me?!!!
:worms: :bolt:
As far as being able to succeed without working hard, well that only gets you so far in either discipline.
Quote of the thread.
However, I would agree with the OP that it is still easier to pull off in shorter events. I could cite many examples, but most recently I had a friend (in a different age group) win 2 events at Nationals in the spring based off practicing once per week. Of course it takes a special kind of skill to pull that off, but he couldn't do that in a distance event (even though he swam distance in college). Good luck trying to pull that off in a 4 im or 5 free.
I have zero problem with 50's being events at meets, they obviously boost attendance and help space the meet out. Many people don't have the time to train for longer events. Certainly there are sprinters who train just as long and hard as anyone else. Others still might have muscle development suited for sprinting and that's not their fault.
So I understand why people do 50's, but I reserve a special place in my heart for everyone who chooses to train for and compete in 200+, how does that sound? :chug:
As far as being able to succeed without working hard, well that only gets you so far in either discipline.
Quote of the thread.
However, I would agree with the OP that it is still easier to pull off in shorter events. I could cite many examples, but most recently I had a friend (in a different age group) win 2 events at Nationals in the spring based off practicing once per week. Of course it takes a special kind of skill to pull that off, but he couldn't do that in a distance event (even though he swam distance in college). Good luck trying to pull that off in a 4 im or 5 free.
I have zero problem with 50's being events at meets, they obviously boost attendance and help space the meet out. Many people don't have the time to train for longer events. Certainly there are sprinters who train just as long and hard as anyone else. Others still might have muscle development suited for sprinting and that's not their fault.
So I understand why people do 50's, but I reserve a special place in my heart for everyone who chooses to train for and compete in 200+, how does that sound? :chug:
