I just recently started swimming because everyone was telling me about how "I have a typical swimmer's body".I tried it - and now can't spend one day without visiting my beloved pool.Anyways, I was wondering ig I am too late for competitive swimming.I am 24 years old, 6'1'', 162 lb., very lean and muscular.I am extremely determined, always have been good in sports(have 5 years of lifting experience).So yeah... That's the deal.I wish my parents got my ass into the pool when I was a kid.Could have been at a good level now.Anyways, what do you think, guys?After two months of swimming I clocked myself on a 100 meter freestyle - 1:25... yeah, I know - leaves a lot to be disired, but I was curious:how quick can you accomplish your time improvements at the start.to shave down 20 sec., say, would that take years?
Thanks.
Parents
Former Member
What a great testament to the sport.
Let me offer my own anecdote. I just turned 40 this summer. I was a good (not great) age grouper before I turned in my kick board and paddles for beer and girls at age 18. I competed in triathlons for a few years in college, flirted with bicycle racing while in my first year of law school and then dropped all forms of exercise to work. (I still drank beer... or carbo loaded as someone called it.) A few years ago I realized I was no longer shaped like an upside down triangle and more like the Michelob bottle.
Last year the local YMCA built a new facility with a great new pool. So I started hitting the pool again. I have been back at it consistently four days a week. I print out Coach Mo's workouts now and do them pretty religiously though I have to adjust some of the leave times to match my level of endurance and recovery. But I feel better than I have in years by getting 3000 to 3500 yards in about 1:15 in the morning. This afternoon I put in 3600 yards. I'm still only 6'0 and about 205 lbs. But the body responds pretty well. (I still like beer too.)
Believe this 40 year old: swimming is a lifetime deal.
BTW, check out the record times for the 40 - 44 age group on this website. THose guys are as fast as (or faster than) many of the younger age brackets.
Good luck.
What a great testament to the sport.
Let me offer my own anecdote. I just turned 40 this summer. I was a good (not great) age grouper before I turned in my kick board and paddles for beer and girls at age 18. I competed in triathlons for a few years in college, flirted with bicycle racing while in my first year of law school and then dropped all forms of exercise to work. (I still drank beer... or carbo loaded as someone called it.) A few years ago I realized I was no longer shaped like an upside down triangle and more like the Michelob bottle.
Last year the local YMCA built a new facility with a great new pool. So I started hitting the pool again. I have been back at it consistently four days a week. I print out Coach Mo's workouts now and do them pretty religiously though I have to adjust some of the leave times to match my level of endurance and recovery. But I feel better than I have in years by getting 3000 to 3500 yards in about 1:15 in the morning. This afternoon I put in 3600 yards. I'm still only 6'0 and about 205 lbs. But the body responds pretty well. (I still like beer too.)
Believe this 40 year old: swimming is a lifetime deal.
BTW, check out the record times for the 40 - 44 age group on this website. THose guys are as fast as (or faster than) many of the younger age brackets.
Good luck.
