Hi,
I didn't learn to really swim until about 5 years ago, I'm middle aged. I have since become handicapped (mildly in the legs but enough to qualify). Since I participated in some of the meets, the below is what I've improved on from Feb/March to October times in SCY.
My regular times are still slow from what people swim/post here, even with the improvements. I can also do things this year I never thought I could (400 IM, 100/200 fly, 100/200 ***, 500 free, etc.). I've only done them once or twice (400 IM I had a 10 second difference in times in a month) so I've no way to know if I'm improving or not.
The question is: does any one know people who learned to swim as adults and what times they can expect? Or handicapped people? Should I be ok with just getting time improvements, as I don't think I can expect what others to swam as kids do? Should I be happy with the ability to do some of these (learning and doing a 100/200 fly, 400 IM at my age), and doing it legally in a meet, and just leave it at that?
Thanks,
Vic
50 free: 5/6 seconds
100 free: 10 seconds
200 free: 15 seconds
50 back: 5 seconds
100 back: 17 seconds
200 back: 40 seconds
50 ***: 20 seconds
50 fly: 6 seconds
100 fly: 5 seconds
100 IM: 15 seconds
200 IM: 30 seconds
Vic
“does any one know people who learned to swim as adults and what times they can expect?” I know lots of Masters Swimmers who learned to swim as adults. Their times are all over the board, often based on why they swim. If they are in it to race then you’d expect different time based results from those who swim for health, recreation and camaraderie.
“Or handicapped people?” Yes. I recently worked a disability meet, where we had athletes from S5-S14. Again all different time results.
“Should I be happy with the ability to do some of these (learning and doing a 100/200 fly, 400 IM at my age), and doing it legally in a meet, and just leave it at that?” I wouldn’t dream of telling you what should make you happy. You need to decide what makes you happy. But if you are anything like me then swimming makes me happy and spending time with our swimming family makes me happy. I hope you can find happiness in all aspects of your like, including swimming.
Vic
“does any one know people who learned to swim as adults and what times they can expect?” I know lots of Masters Swimmers who learned to swim as adults. Their times are all over the board, often based on why they swim. If they are in it to race then you’d expect different time based results from those who swim for health, recreation and camaraderie.
“Or handicapped people?” Yes. I recently worked a disability meet, where we had athletes from S5-S14. Again all different time results.
“Should I be happy with the ability to do some of these (learning and doing a 100/200 fly, 400 IM at my age), and doing it legally in a meet, and just leave it at that?” I wouldn’t dream of telling you what should make you happy. You need to decide what makes you happy. But if you are anything like me then swimming makes me happy and spending time with our swimming family makes me happy. I hope you can find happiness in all aspects of your like, including swimming.
