Getting Older,Getting Slower

Although your post is almost two years old - thank you for that, @ElaineK! I really need this today. My times have really dropped over the last year and I'm not sure whether it's work interfering, age, injuries or a combination of all of the above. Did a meet today and although it didn't feel bad, my times were just awful for me. Thanks for putting it into perspective. You're welcome, K! Thank you for letting me know I was able to help you. Reading it back myself helped me to keep those thoughts in mind if my times aren't what I hope them to be at my upcoming meet on St. Patrick's Day weekend!

I needed to see this today as well. When I was 16-21 my breaststroke times were great. 32 years later I recently found some journals from back then (yes, I was OCD and wrote almost everything down) and got so disgusted with my current times. This old thread popped up at a perfect time.

In order to continue to feel satisfied with your progress as you get older, I would suggest trying out the following: 1) Set goals (but be realistic). What do you hope to achieve in a year, or even in 5 years? What do you need to do to achieve these goals and can you do what it takes to achieve them? Make sure these are realistic goals, however. If you were an NCAA DI competitive swimmer over 30 years ago and quit swimming for 20 of those years, it's not realistic to hope to achieve a lifetime best. Which leads to the second point... 2) Try not to compare your current times with previous times from years back. Instead, start by comparing them to recent times you were able to achieve within your current age group. If you surpass those times, wonderful - you then know that you can set a slightly higher goal for yourself. But comparing yourself to a previous stage in your life when you were training every day twice a day in college is a recipe for frustration - and failure. 3) Keep track of your progress. Whether it's in the form of a yardage chart, or a time log for meets that you attend, keeping track of your progress will help you manage your expectations and feel more satisfied at progress you make. It will also keep you in the here-and-now instead of dwelling on your much faster past swim life. "Finding the Motivation to Train" can offer you some more extensive tips to help you progress even as you get older - I wrote this with this forum thread in mind! www.swimspire.com/.../

After i turned 50 I didn’t slow down much, I instead became much less resistant to injury and require more and more rest

Re: Getting Older,Getting Slower By no means should a drop-off discourage anyone from doing what they enjoy. If you're lucky enough to be racing into your golden years - it should be reassuring to know that everyone else is showing up the same aches and pains. We're all going to get slower. Sooner or later that V8 engine is going to be running on 4 cylinders if you stay in there long enough. The key is to not slow down at the same rate as your counterparts. :)

I needed to see this today as well. When I was 16-21 my breaststroke times were great. 32 years later I recently found some journals from back then (yes, I was OCD and wrote almost everything down) and got so disgusted with my current times. This old thread popped up at a perfect time. Well, the master swimmers within 5 seconds of their youth times are in pretty good physical shape. Also, on the ladies side, the top swimmers like Laurie Val and others have been swimming masters since their 30's or early 40's. This helps to built a swimming based and makes it easier to be within 5 to 7 seconds of your youth times in a 100 yard. Many swimmers that take up masters swimming years later and do it more on and off can be 10 to 30 seconds slower than their youth time in a 100 yard.

Yes injuries are a big factor in getting older and they seem to take longer to heal. My only consolation is I swim in a lane with some 25 year olds, half my age! I try to make myself feel better that it's okay if they beat me!

I’ve been kicking a lot latelyJust had an arthrogram: circumferential labral tear pronounced posteriorly and anterior inferiorly. Proximal tearing of the posterior inferior glenohumaral ligament from the labral complex. And changes in the acromyclavicular joint. Not sure if this is the source, or result of my problem. Or if it just sounds worse than it is. My kicking however has improved in some regards Sorry to hear that. Are they recommending surgery. I certainly hope you recover quickly.

Speaking of injuries,I hurt my shoulder and will miss at least Indy. Orthopedist suspects a subscapular tear. Xrays were fine, awaiting approval for MRI. I get really bored with kicking workouts. Oh no, King Frog! I hope it's not a tear! I've been wondering how you and Seal Girl have been doing since our last PM's back and forth. Please let her know I'm thinking of her, too, and keep me up to date. Ok? :sad:

Speaking of injuries,I hurt my shoulder and will miss at least Indy. Orthopedist suspects a subscapular tear. Xrays were fine, awaiting approval for MRI. I get really bored with kicking workouts.