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:
Former Member
Nope. Even a "fast" 50 *** stroker wouldn't have the strength or endurance to make it more than 30 seconds into the match. Tally one for the 400 IMer!!
Seems as shortsighted as everything else you said. :rolleyes:
Certainly someone so opinionated would back up their philosophy with results. Kindly provide us the club results of all the people you've coached so we can see how domineering your 400 imers are in the sprints and 200 relays. Kthx.
Seems as shortsighted as everything else you said. :rolleyes:
I think you were trying to find a different word but couldn't think of one. Shortsighted doesn't work in context. Please try again.
Both sprints and "distance" races are equally enjoyable and respectable in their own right, but either race performed by a late bloomer is simply in a class of its own.
This thread was supposed to be for fun.
It seems that there is a sizable group out there that thinks that a good 50 breastroker can take a good 400 IMer any day. Who am I to argue with that?
The way you're phrasing things is not fun, I think that is the problem. You have stirred things up a bit and I think that was the purpose, but you've done it by being insulting. I realize that is what some people construe as fun, but it is not a style which is cordial and some consider it unpleasant.
You know you can't measure difficulty or pain by the number of lengths necessarily, Gull.
Actually I was paraphrasing Professor Stevenson.
You are absolutely right, of course. As the saying goes, "It's not how long you make it, it's how you make it long."
Please elaborate. How is any of this insulting? 50 breaststroke vs. 400 IM? It's like asking who is better? The Incredible Hulk or Mr. Incredible? Meaningless? You bettcha. Insulting? Nnnnnnno. There is nothing insulting.
From your first post:
"...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?!!!"
THIS IS INSULTING! :bitching:
