I wondered if any of you can help me with some perspective on this. I was a respectable age-group swimmer (age 8-18 - peaked around 16). Swimming was my life. I went on to do triathlons in college and casual running and swimming after that. Now in my late 30's. Have always swum to keep in shape, but getting slower every year.
How do those of you in the 30's, 40's etc. who had a previous swimming career deal with the disappointment of getting slower, and slower? It is so frustrating. I get particularly frustrated with myself when people in practice who I should be much faster than (ie they didn't swim competitively and have ummmm...less than ideal strokes), are beating me. I still have that competitive mindset.
Since I don't think I would swim respectable 30-something times in a meet (and I have little kids right now that are keeping me pretty busy) I am waiting until 40's to compete. My butterfly is still OK so thinking if I can do a respectable 200 butterfly in my 40's that would be an accomplishment.
Anyway I just wondered how others put this into perspective. Thanks!
Parents
Former Member
Shari!
You sound just like me! However, I have to remember to tell myself not to think about it so much... So don't worry - it won't help you at all - it may make things worse!
I am in a similar situation as you, swam in my teens and college and now that I'm back in it... I completely suck... but I'm not going to let it get me down. It's going to take time to get better. Be patient girl! Just do your best at practice, that's all you can ask of yourself! And don't forget to have fun!
To let you in on a secret... sometimes the people who are beating you at practice will not do as well at meets. In my USS experience, I've had many swimmers who were total workhorses at practice and choked at the meets. So, don't compare yourselves to them. Swimming is an individual sport... however the competitiveness will always burn inside you - which is great. Emphasize on your strengths at practice - like being a butterflyer. You wanting to swim the 200 is AWESOME - not many swimmers want to do that. I used to swim the 400 IM, and that was really hard, but I feel that the 200 fly is BY FAR the HARDEST event of them all. So, remember that you have something that not a lot of your team members have - the will to swim the ironman of competitive swimming - the 200 BUTTERFLY.
As for not competing right away, just keep working on your technique - that will never fail you! Don't worry about competing in your 40's - I think USMS has people in their 80's swimming - and maybe even older!
Good luck Shari!
-sarah :D
Shari!
You sound just like me! However, I have to remember to tell myself not to think about it so much... So don't worry - it won't help you at all - it may make things worse!
I am in a similar situation as you, swam in my teens and college and now that I'm back in it... I completely suck... but I'm not going to let it get me down. It's going to take time to get better. Be patient girl! Just do your best at practice, that's all you can ask of yourself! And don't forget to have fun!
To let you in on a secret... sometimes the people who are beating you at practice will not do as well at meets. In my USS experience, I've had many swimmers who were total workhorses at practice and choked at the meets. So, don't compare yourselves to them. Swimming is an individual sport... however the competitiveness will always burn inside you - which is great. Emphasize on your strengths at practice - like being a butterflyer. You wanting to swim the 200 is AWESOME - not many swimmers want to do that. I used to swim the 400 IM, and that was really hard, but I feel that the 200 fly is BY FAR the HARDEST event of them all. So, remember that you have something that not a lot of your team members have - the will to swim the ironman of competitive swimming - the 200 BUTTERFLY.
As for not competing right away, just keep working on your technique - that will never fail you! Don't worry about competing in your 40's - I think USMS has people in their 80's swimming - and maybe even older!
Good luck Shari!
-sarah :D
