I was just wondering. At what point is ones swimming career while they realise that they have hit the wall, and then sur passed it and they cant possibly go faster??
The reason I ask is because Phelphs is "retiring" after the 2012 games.
But then I see athlets go out and compete that are well into their late 20's and early 30's.
What is the averge prime age for a male swimmer before times start becoming slower???
You can keep getting stronger and buidling muscle well past 50 (didn't mean to imply it was all downhill at 50!), but realistically at 62, it's not possible to get back to where i was at 19 in '68 when i stopped swimming seriously and was in my best condition. From about age 50, it has been harder to find the time and energy. Finaly kicked myself in the tail and got going again about 4 months back and have been relatively (for my condition) successful at building strength and muscle, aerobic conditioning, and working on technique in the pool. Muscles are growing (that's clear) and fat is going, I can lift more, swim more distance, and hold better RIs, than when i started 4 mos back, but its been quite a bit slower, required more work and determination than it did in 20s, 30s and 40s to make a difference. I've been trying to adjust stroke techniques, conditioning, and diet and see how much i can recover. Will get some times (first ones in about 15 yrs.) at SCM masters meet in about 1.5 weeks as a base to use for future comparisons. I'm hoping being older and smarter will help development; USMS and reading these forums is certainly contributed to getting smarter. Thanks all and USMS.
You can keep getting stronger and buidling muscle well past 50 (didn't mean to imply it was all downhill at 50!), but realistically at 62, it's not possible to get back to where i was at 19 in '68 when i stopped swimming seriously and was in my best condition. From about age 50, it has been harder to find the time and energy. Finaly kicked myself in the tail and got going again about 4 months back and have been relatively (for my condition) successful at building strength and muscle, aerobic conditioning, and working on technique in the pool. Muscles are growing (that's clear) and fat is going, I can lift more, swim more distance, and hold better RIs, than when i started 4 mos back, but its been quite a bit slower, required more work and determination than it did in 20s, 30s and 40s to make a difference. I've been trying to adjust stroke techniques, conditioning, and diet and see how much i can recover. Will get some times (first ones in about 15 yrs.) at SCM masters meet in about 1.5 weeks as a base to use for future comparisons. I'm hoping being older and smarter will help development; USMS and reading these forums is certainly contributed to getting smarter. Thanks all and USMS.
