Comments on: Who Benefits from Cheating at a US Masters Swimming Practice?

By: Newbie

Newbie — Thu, 06 May 2010 02:03:41 +0000

I say let her lie. Who cares? It's Master's and nothing irks me more than people who get so hard-core about swimming whatever time on whatever day when really, USMS is supposed to foster fun, fitness, and an enjoyable atmosphere. I have had plenty of days where I didn't want to do the set as it was prescribed, and maybe I slacked. As long as those who choose to do something different stay out of the way and let those who are faster go ahead, I say no one is the wiser. I pay dues. I am an adult. I choose to be there for the comraderie and for a workout that I would not do if swimming by my lonesome during lap swim hours. I am talented and a fast swimmer, but I still embrace the philosophy that this is supposed to be fun. I am no longer forced to do sets in a collegiate atmosphere, and I sure as heck am not going to make the Olympics, so who cares what I am or am not doing time-wise???
The only caveot to this is if said swimmer moans and complains about never getting faster when he or she never does the set as prescribed. Then perhaps it might be prudent to encourage more participation in the sets…but only if said swimmer looks upt o you and can take such comments from you….otherwise, leave it to the coach.
My two cents.

By: Tony Austin

Tony Austin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:52:44 +0000

I say let her lie and give her wink!.

Masters is suppose to be fun and if she is not getting in the way then there is no harm and no foul in her simply being there to enjoy herself with group of people with like mind!

By: Tracy

Tracy — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:14:00 +0000

Wow, that’s actually a wonderful take on this! Thanks Braden. You are right, Master’s Swimming is about being supportive and encouraging, and I need to focus on the positive.

By: Braden K.

Braden K. — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:19:27 +0000

Wow, this is something that is not uncommon in younger swimmers, where there’s some actual fear of retribution (such as the coach making you repeat the set, and still has the authority to do so or kick you off the team), but it does seem odd to lie like this at such an old age. Is this something your coach might do? Maybe conversely to what you say “who does it benefit” she figures “who does it hurt? I don’t want to do the set again, and I know I didn’t negative split it, so who cares?”

She could also be a 1 upper. There the people who always have to be right, always have a better story. “You climbed Mt. Kilaminjaro? Sooo, my Uncle climbed K2.” Those are the kind of people that would lie about this stuff to stroke their own egos, especially if she’s training with a new group and wants to make a good first impression.

At the end of the day, as a supportive teammate, it’s more your job to encourage her to make the set the next time than lecture her to not fib to the coach. The Master’s Team structure lends itself more to trying to support and encouraging each other than to try to berate each other as “letting the team down.”