How much can I expect to improve at 34 years of age?

RE: How much can I expect to improve at 34 years of age?

Former Member — Tue, 19 Oct 2004 08:38:48 GMT

Originally posted by Karen Duggan (Hey, maybe I should hyphenate my name! Would I get a World Record too?) Maybe some sort of "hyphen additive" to your VO2Max shampoo??? Sorry about that - if there is a dead horse, I can't stop myself from beating it. Besides, everyone was thinking it, I just happened to be bored enough to say it:rolleyes: !

RE: How much can I expect to improve at 34 years of age?

Karen Duggan — Mon, 18 Oct 2004 12:59:07 GMT

I've been swimming Masters since 1993. I am thoroughly convinced that swimming is mostly mental. I have seen "older" people do amazing things in the water, even with maladies, etc. I know for me that I can take myself out of a race very easily with self-defeating thoughts. And I know that I've won races, that I had no right to, just because I talked myself into it. Age seems to be a factor to a certain degree, but look at Jim Clemmons, Bill Specht, Karlyn Pipes-Neilsen, Suzanne Heim-Bowen. (Hey, maybe I should hyphenate my name! Would I get a World Record too?) ;p All of these people are very confident. After watching Gary Hall in the 50 free at the Olympics, I am convinced it is 99% mental (with proper nutrition and good work habits).

RE: How much can I expect to improve at 34 years of age?

Former Member — Mon, 18 Oct 2004 12:52:22 GMT

I am also 34. I have been a runner every since I got out of college and have focused mostly on marathons. I started swimming a month ago and have been using Emmett Hines' "Fitness Swimming" book to help me with my training. Over the past month I have completed the first of the six "training zones" in the book. As a result I have taken a little more than ten seconds off my 100 yard cruise pace. I am by no means a particularly fast swimmer, but I have gone from being slightly below average in my cruise pace to solidly average (1:53.7 per 100 yards). So based on my admittedly limited experience I'd say it is definitely possible to improve. When it comes to physical activities like running or swimming, I find it is very helpful to find a training program and to follow that program to the letter. Believe in the work you are doing and the plan you are following, do the training and have fun. As far as the crowded pool goes, have you tried going at other times? I initially tried to go after work, but the health club I belong to has water aerobics classes that take up the whole pool. So I started going at 5am and I usually have a lane to myself. There are no water aerobics classes then, which works just fine for me. Good luck and keep up the good work!

RE: How much can I expect to improve at 34 years of age?

Former Member — Mon, 18 Oct 2004 05:05:46 GMT

Although I had a significant swimming experience as a youth age grouper (prep school state champion, approaching Junior National level individually), I had more than 50 lifetime best performances at age 38. The time improvements were very surprising, including a minute + drop in my 1500 meter time, and an improvement of 500 yards in my hour swim. I see others who have achieved lifetime best performances after age 50. I think you can expect to improve with good training and technique work. Be smart, swim hard, and make sure you recover well and get the proper nutrition. Most importantly, have fun! Swimmer Bill

RE: How much can I expect to improve at 34 years of age?

Former Member — Sun, 17 Oct 2004 15:40:52 GMT

I hope starting at 34 leaves room for improvement! I started at 33 (2 years ago) and I continue to improve. Although I do think the 2008 Olympics are out of the question.:) I continue to get into better shape. And more importantly, my technique continues to get better. These things both make me get faster. I did hit a plateau and struggled to improve at one point - but if you work through it and continue to train you will push through that. I firmly believe that swimming all four strokes is important to improving speed in any one of them. It's a way of cross training without even leaving the pool. I also think that mixing short interval days with long interval days is important. At least up to the point where you are trying to train for a specific event/distance. Keep it up, you will improve.

RE: How much can I expect to improve at 34 years of age?

Former Member — Sun, 17 Oct 2004 15:28:00 GMT

Hello Methais and Welcome to the discussion board. I certainly don't think 34 is that old (since I am 40)......There is no reason why you shouldn't be able to continue to improve for many more years. It's too bad that you don't have the luxury of being able to lap swim whenever you want because of the pool overcrowding problem you mentioned.....Is there any pools nearby that "rope off" lanes specifically for lap swimming only?....Do they have YMCA's in Sweden? Anyway, sounds like you are improving fairly well as it stands. I would look into different workout routines also.....just to mix it up a bit. There is a discussion thread somewhere on this board that is specifically about Workouts where members of the discussion board have posted many different types of workouts....Also there are virtual coaches (also posted soemwhere around here I beleive??) that can help you with workout selections. I like the fact that you have set the intermediate goal of a 14 minute Km swim.....It's good to keep setting new intermediate goals like that...and when you reach them, set new goals ect....You can also set other types of goals...Like "fewest strokes per lap" goals for example. Keep up the good work Methais and keep us posted on your improvement! newmastersswimmer

RE: How much can I expect to improve at 34 years of age?

Former Member — Sun, 17 Oct 2004 14:08:29 GMT

Exrunners post was very depressing. I am almost 49!!!!!!!!!! I have improved every year since I started at about 43 or so. I judge this by the yardage I can do in one hour, a 200 yard free swim, and a 100 IM I do during practice. I have never competed so I donot have a official time but oh well. I also judge my improvement on my subjective feel of my stroke during practice in addition to stroke counts. Best of all if I never get any better I have fun. Have a great day Paul

RE: How much can I expect to improve at 34 years of age?

Former Member — Sun, 17 Oct 2004 12:56:23 GMT

I remember reading that even swimmers who have trained at competitive levels all their lives can continue to improve until their mid-40s (as measured by VO2max, I think). Since you are at least a decade from that age-imposed limitation, and you are building your skills from a lower baseline, you have the potential to improve quite a lot.