I see I didn't really answer Kaelonj's question, so... Workouts are now much better and much more yardage than in college. I think we went maybe 2500 a day in the late 60's where I was going to school.
Also, yes, technique is a very big part of it. Streamlining off the turns, elbows up on the pull, more of a "catch up" style stroke.
Originally posted by Glenn
I swim 4000 yards 5 times a week now and at age 54 and 8 months I am 4 seconds faster than I was in college! Twenty years ago I swam 3 times a week probably 3500 each session and I struggled to break 6:00 in the 500. At last years SC Nats I went 5:33. So, yes, it is yardage and intensity, regardless of the age group!:)
That's impressive. If we believe the theory that your VO2max (sorry!) was developed in high school and college, and we attribute your success as a Masters swimmer to this, how do we explain the fact that you're now swimming faster? :confused:
Originally posted by gull80
That's impressive. If we believe the theory that your VO2max (sorry!) was developed in high school and college, and we attribute your success as a Masters swimmer to this, how do we explain the fact that you're now swimming faster? :confused:
Isn't it the technique that makes you faster, for the most part?
Isn't swimming technique a "thinking sport"
Most us women know that you men get smarter with age ;)
:p
Originally posted by Conniekat8
Most us women know that you men get smarter with age
Exactly, and that's why I don't wear women's suits when I work out.
Originally posted by Scansy
I don't know if we get smarter with age or not - but I do know we get more immature!:D
You mean, with age you get less inhibited about showing the immaturity? ;)
Originally posted by gull80
That's impressive. If we believe the theory that your VO2max (sorry!) was developed in high school and college, and we attribute your success as a Masters swimmer to this, how do we explain the fact that you're now swimming faster? :confused:
Simple question.
It's a percentage of the VO2Max that applies to swimming muscles, percentage developed in high school age that wasn't fully exploited then.
This percentage of the VO2Max is better exploited now.
How?
That's a good follow up question, involving what good practices are made of.
There are a few (not many) examples of USMS swimmers who weren't posting results good enough to reach their goals during high school years, and they are hungry enough in USMS to stay stable or improve slightly on their age-group swimming background.
Originally posted by gull80
Exactly, and that's why I don't wear women's suits when I work out.
Yeah, they're very impractical when you have to use the ladies, I mean mens room, I mean ladies room, mens, ladies ...
That's very smart! ;)
Originally posted by Ion Beza
It's a percentage of the VO2Max that applies to swimming muscles, percentage developed in high school age that wasn't fully exploited then.
I agree with this. What you're saying is that some Masters swimmers have the capability of surpassing their high school or college times by virtue of the fact that their swimming VO2max was developed during those years, but for whatever reason they did not reach their full potential. This is where, I think, technique and training methods enter the picture. Also a certain amount of luck and good genes to keep you alive and healthy.
