Am I too old to compete?

RE: Am I too old to compete?

smontanaro — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 07:59:47 GMT

Accuracy is not the issue ... (carbon dating cartoon elided...) (I know, getting off-topic, but wow...) "Carbon dating" would appear to be an entire sub-genre of cartoons. I don't recall it being a subject brought up on the Big Bang Theory though... images.fineartamerica.com/.../radiocarbon-dating-keith-smith.jpg

RE: Am I too old to compete?

smontanaro — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 07:50:48 GMT

Starting Blocks are optional. Heck, isn't diving in optional? I suppose with the approval of the starter, you could start in the water for more than just backstroke, yes?

RE: Am I too old to compete?

ande — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 02:39:48 GMT

Hello all! I've browsed the forums a bit but this is my first real post. I guess I should start with my background. I am a 21 year old personal trainer who recently fell in love with swimming. Before I started swimming I was a competitive weight lifter. I started training about 4 months ago and I swim about 20 hours a week and I'm still in the process of trimming my weight down. I was really inspired to start trying to get competitive but because of my age and height (5'9) i got kinda turned off. Is there any hope of me competing at a moderately high level at my height and age? I know I only have 3 years till I move up a bracket in nationals so I was curious on others opinions if I was just wasting my time. Welcome You're young. Being a former weight lifter my guess is you are very strong. It would be very worth your while to learn proper technique so you could apply your strength to the pool. Events that favor shorter stronger swimmers are Breastroke & sprints, especially sprints involving streamline dolpin kick, which we call SDK. if you want to "compete at a moderately high level" you need to know what your times are so have someone time you for a 25, a 50 & a 100 all out you can swim faster faster forums.usms.org/showthread.php

RE: Am I too old to compete?

Elaine Krugman — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 01:22:49 GMT

The title of your thread is an oxymoron to those of us who belong to USMS and compete at ALL ages past 18! My teammate, Anne Dunivin, is 98 years old and signed up to race in San Antonio at Nationals. :cheerleader: I'm not sure what you mean by "moderately high level." If it's not the Olympics, then Masters Swimming is THE place to be if you're not in college and not yet old enough to compete at a senior games meet. Like the Waves said, go check out a Masters meet and observe. At Nationals, you'll see everything from current Olympians on down to newbies who are slow. All are welcomed and respected for being there and participating! I know, because I was that newbie at 2010 Spring Nationals at Georgia Tech, and I had the time of my life! :D

RE: Am I too old to compete?

Bill Sive — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 11:34:15 GMT

I'm 6'4", just turned 48 and there are any number of people younger, older, shorter, taller, fatter, fitter, and of the same or a different gender who can beat me. The beauty of Masters swimming is you can compete at any age and at any shape. The only thing that matters is getting on the blocks to race! Starting Blocks are optional.

RE: Am I too old to compete?

Patrick W. Brundage — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 12:57:02 GMT

RE: Am I too old to compete?

Swimosaur — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 12:08:31 GMT

There's a story in the news this week about a 100 year old woman who just set a World Record in her age group in the 1500 free, edition.cnn.com/.../index.html As for me, I'm 70 million years old, and I still compete.

RE: Am I too old to compete?

waves101 — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 12:03:36 GMT

I think you just need to go to a masters meet and observe. You'll see all ages and all shapes and sizes. You'll definitely be able to compete. However, if your definition of compete is at a Michael Phelps level then I'd have to say you may be "wasting your time". Most people don't take up swimming at 21 and become an Olympian. However, a lifetime of fitness and competition await you in USMS.

RE: Am I too old to compete?

sickfish — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 11:52:20 GMT

You're never too old or too short or even too slow. However if you're interested in competing at nationals and you're swimming 20 hours a week you're probably wasting your time. Even if you want to swim the 1650, that's an outrageous amount of time in the pool. What do you want to race?

RE: Am I too old to compete?

orca1946 — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 11:36:38 GMT

"Old is always 10 years older than when you say it" I remember this from a gentleman that was on deck for our state meet years ago. I just turned 69 and am 6 ft and 214 lbs. So you have a long way to go before your concept of old. Welcome to Masters , enjoy the next few decades before you start to slow down!!!

RE: Am I too old to compete?

Jimbosback — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 08:58:55 GMT

At 21, the only thing you are too old for is high school.

RE: Am I too old to compete?

__steve__ — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 08:21:18 GMT

As for me, I'm 70 million years old, and I still compete. but is carbon dating accurate ?

RE: Am I too old to compete?

Swimosaur — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 02:19:44 GMT

but is carbon dating accurate ? Accuracy is not the issue ... forums.usms.org/attachment.php

RE: Am I too old to compete?

gdanner — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 11:06:10 GMT

There are 90+ year old competitors, so you're definitely not too old! We've had Olympians shorter than you, so you're not too short! Good luck.