Does anyone know a thread or a website where I could get a better idea of what older and not former competitively trained swimmers are doing time-wise?
It seems to always be the winning times which are posted. I was looking at the USA Swimming Times, at the oldest age (50) and the lowest category (B) and the guy was STILL doing a 20min 1650!!
I'm 58, 6'1" (6'4" arm span) 180lbs. And I'm forever stuck at a 29-30 minute mile.
I know that if I was training with Masters I would do better, but they are too far away. (Money is being raised for a YMCA, so that could change)
I'd love to know what average times older swimmers who have taken up swimming AFTER college (no previous team experience), but have a passion for the sport are achieving.
Thanks
Agreed. Local or other state local meet results will show you what others do in your age group. Keep swimming! Click on results & look.
Former Member
www.usms.org/.../toptimes.php
You can search any event and age group.
Thank you. (Sorry I should have trolled this site further)
When it said "Top Times" I rolled my eyes and thought 'here we go again... more former athletes'
But I only had to drop down 19 places (in men's 55-59) to find a 29min 1650 like mine! :applaud:
But then the 1st place guy was 19min lol :bow:
Thanks,
It is all a matter of perspective. You are now ranked in the top 20 for your age group. Congratulations!
I am one of those former athletes, but still swim because I love the sport and enjoy socializing with all sorts of people. I have found that some of the most ardent competitors took up the sport late in life, whereas I don't need to prove anything to anyone but me. I really am thrilled to hear a 60 something say that they have just swum a PR for some event. I remember that all of those are far behind me and am a little jealous that they get to enjoy the thrill of their new accomplishments.
OK, so your 29-30 minute mile puts you in the top 20, how much do you have to shave off to get into the top 10? 15? Just beat the guy in front of you? Small steps still get you to your destination.
As a side note, I used to hear a song about Irving, the 142nd fastest gun in the west. In the song, he was not trying to beat number one, he was gunning for #143!
But I only had to drop down 19 places (in men's 55-59) to find a 29min 1650 like mine! :applaud:
Paul, you may want to keep in mind that if you are viewing the SCY rankings for the 2011-2012 season, you won't see a very complete picture yet. The majority of SCY meets take place in the spring; the season ends on May 31st.
To get an idea of what the rankings will look like at the end of the season, perform the same search for the 2010-2011 season. You'll see a lot more names in the list.
... But I know I'm 142nd....That's NOT good enough. I'm determined to find 3-4 more minutes somewhere.
I'm just guessing here, but based on this information:
... I'm 58, 6'1" (6'4" arm span) 180lbs. And I'm forever stuck at a 29-30 minute mile.
That sounds like a reasonable, actually pretty good, body for a swimmer and you certainly aren't "too old" yet, (whatever that is) so I'm betting that there is some low hanging fruit to pluck with regard to improving your stroke. If you get someone to video you with a camera phone and post it here you'll probably get some good tips. A 26-minute 1650 certainly sounds like a totally reasonable goal if you swim regularly.
As a side note, I used to hear a song about Irving, the 142nd fastest gun in the west. In the song, he was not trying to beat number one, he was gunning for #143!
Great song! "They called him Irving. Big, fat Irving..."
Former Member
Paul, you may want to keep in mind that if you are viewing the SCY rankings for the 2011-2012 season, you won't see a very complete picture yet. The majority of SCY meets take place in the spring; the season ends on May 31st.
To get an idea of what the rankings will look like at the end of the season, perform the same search for the 2010-2011 season. You'll see a lot more names in the list.
Aahhh now... what are you trying to rain on my parade? Ok I guess I can imagine there are probably more than 19 58yr old guys in the US who can swim a mile faster than my 29 minutes ;-)
It is all a matter of perspective. You are now ranked in the top 20 for your age group. Congratulations!Thanks Michael for typing all those encouraging words with your bleeding finger :)
As a side note, I used to hear a song about Irving, the 142nd fastest gun in the west. In the song, he was not trying to beat number one, he was gunning for #143! Makes me think of the saying "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing badly" But I get the point. I AM the 142nd.... the FASTEST swimmer of ALL age groups in our local community pool. They think I'm so serious & fast. But I know I'm 142nd....That's NOT good enough. I'm determined to find 3-4 more minutes somewhere.
Thanks all.
Former Member
I'm betting that there is some low hanging fruit to pluck with regard to improving your stroke.Thanks Karl. I feel the same way.
But before this thread morphs into more than I intended, my technique/training was the discussion of my first post here a few months ago. Everyone was very generous with advice and suggested workouts. I AM swimming 1Hr daily now, since that time.
forums.usms.org/showthread.php?t=19392
I'm overdue for another session with coach Brad Hering, this time using his underwater camera.
Here's the video he took of me at our first session. (yes, it's our small local 55ft pool:blush:)
http://youtu.be/E0BQ7Tkn7UI
Lastly,
I have really enjoyed (and I think profited from) receiving Australian coach Brenton Ford's periodic email tips. He seems like a great guy, very practical and positive.
www.effortlessswimming.com/.../
Oh and in just the last 2 weeks with wall to wall pace tones on my mp3 (since I have no one to pace with) the pace tones are already easier to keep up with, and actually beat to the wall ! :)
Somewhere on this forum a man created a document that ranked times aaaa / aaa/ aa / a / b / c like usa swimming does for the age-groupers. Try searching the forum for this unofficial ranking. I think National cuts were generally aa or aaa times. I'd search for it for you but it's 12:15 a.m. and I have to be up at 6 a.m. for school. I'll look tomorrow night if you haven't found it.
