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:
Parents
Former Member
Well said. You know, before the start of my 1000 in Atlanta, I was so relaxed the timers had to wake me up. There are just so many things to think about during a 50--strategy, pacing, breathing pattern. Now I understand why all of the really smart people swim 50s.
You mock but that's the beauty of a 50 I can shut my overactive brain down and just fire the systems. Conversely nothing causes more thinking about interesting things like countless boring laps in a pool as you try to endure the ennui of a 400+ swim.
Well said. You know, before the start of my 1000 in Atlanta, I was so relaxed the timers had to wake me up. There are just so many things to think about during a 50--strategy, pacing, breathing pattern. Now I understand why all of the really smart people swim 50s.
You mock but that's the beauty of a 50 I can shut my overactive brain down and just fire the systems. Conversely nothing causes more thinking about interesting things like countless boring laps in a pool as you try to endure the ennui of a 400+ swim.
