I'm 57 and have been swimming masters a few years with some decent results in sprints (recently, 27.8 in 50 yard free, 35.8 in 50 yard ***), but my workouts were not very vigorous. I was swimming maybe 2-3 times a week and putting in anywhere from 1100 minimum to 2200 maximum. I have started working out with a team (of which I am not actually a member), because I realized I should push myself more. It's been hard to keep up and do all of the sets in practice, but I feel I am getting better, little by little. I've dropped 5 more pounds and my morning blood sugar (I'm type II diabetic) is now routinely under 100.
After a particularly hard set, the coach instructed me to take my pulse, which was 23 for 10 seconds (138). He told me to cool down and do a 300 as slow as possible and after finishing, my pulse was 21 (126). He then pronounced me to be in "terrible condition" because he said I should be able to get up to 26 and come all the way down to 18 after the cool down. He instructed me to "call it a night" after completing a total of about 1900 (I'm guessing the total practice was about 3000) and also told me I should for now stop trying to go fast and just work on increasing my aerobic fitness.
Is this accurate? I am 57, so my target rate, according to what I read, should be NO HIGHER THAN 138 (85% of max). Also, this is self-monitored, and being off by 1 or 2 for the ten seconds can make a difference of 6-12 bpm. This guy actually suggested that I "should get checked out." I'm also on blood pressure meds which sometimes can suppress the heart rate (although I am on an ARB, not a beta-blocker). My resting pulse is about 68.
Should I be concerned...is he right?