life time best times and best times in each age group

LCM 50 free (sorry no yards) 1961 at 20: 24.9 (no hundredths then) eased into masters starting 1997: 2000 at 59 (55-59): 28.39 2002 at 61 (60-64): 27.80 2006 at 65 (65-69): 27.95 SCM 50 free (sorry no SCM at 20) 1997 at 56 (55-59): 28.13 2005 at 64 (60-64): 27.04 2006 at 65 (65-69): 27.36 Hope this helps Ian. Glad to see this thread resurrected. Interesting to see other experiences. Positive updates due mainly to new sprinting oriented coach and B70 (nor sure how much due to each): LCM: 2009 at 68 (65-69): 27.50 SCM 2009 at 68 (65-69): 26.88 Wondering if Ande is making any sense of the data that's in? Ian.

Also, my best race ever was a 20.90 in a relay lead off. First and only time I ever broke 21 in 50y free. Best I ever did in an individual race was 21.26. One of the most frustrating things from my age group career. It counts.

I’m glad Jim brought up this thread again – another year has past and there have been some minor improvements in the age group (probably the last, with one more year to go) LCM 50 free (sorry no yards) 1961 at 20: 24.9 (no hundredths then) eased into masters starting 1997: 2000 at 59 (55-59): 28.39 2002 at 61 (60-64): 27.80 2009 at 68 (65-69): 27.50 SCM 50 free (sorry no SCM at 20) 1997 at 56 (55-59): 28.13 2005 at 64 (60-64): 27.04 2009 at 68 (65-69): 26.88 For those who want to torture themselves, here is a Youtube of the 26.88 (in “HD” you can read the time) done this year in the 65-69 heat at the Canadian nationals: YouTube- Men's 50 Free Heat 3 (00040) Next to me is Vinus van Baalen who also swims for San Diego. He screwed up his turn worse than I did. (I turned a bit too far from the wall and lost an explosive push-off) It was one of those slippery plastic bulkheads and you had to turn perfectly square or you’d slip sideways (like Vinus did). A mistake like that in a 50 and you’re dead meat. Ian.

Syd, Smarter training, certainly not more. • For the last year and a half, a new ex-sprinter coach who builds in a personalized, more 50 oriented program for me within my lane of mostly mid-distance swimmers (I can be resting when they are swimming. The coach lets me know where he wants the effort within the sets) • Almost no reps longer than 150 (the more I train, the slower I get) • Faster, more intense effort on a few spaced-out target reps within a set (peer pressure from lane mates really helps with this) • More weights. Ande is so right, this is essential for the 50. You lose muscle mass quickly as you age. • And, of course, this year, a B70 – great motivation to compete late in the age group (I’m going back to futzing around and trying to stay in shape until I age up) • I always pay attention to technique – do some drills but not over-do. Am not one of those who pooh-pooh TI – you need some defined base to revert to. Ask the coach what he sees with your stroke when you swim slowly or tired or fast. Fix if broken. Don’t get into bad habits. Actually, I don’t really see myself as ‘improving’. I am not one of those nearly faster than when at university. Having not swum for some 35 years, I kind of wonder ‘how come I’m so slow now – where did it all go?’ I’m just trying to get to where I think I should be. Being a bit of a slack trainer, I feel there is still room to “improve” but it’s going to mean harder work, dammit. Ian. Congrats, Ian! Blazing fast 50! Enjoyed the vid. That sounds like a great program. Harder work = less squash and more time in the gym?

What do you attribute the improvement to? More training? Smarter training? Better technique? Syd, Smarter training, certainly not more. • For the last year and a half, a new ex-sprinter coach who builds in a personalized, more 50 oriented program for me within my lane of mostly mid-distance swimmers (I can be resting when they are swimming. The coach lets me know where he wants the effort within the sets) • Almost no reps longer than 150 (the more I train, the slower I get) • Faster, more intense effort on a few spaced-out target reps within a set (peer pressure from lane mates really helps with this) • More weights. Ande is so right, this is essential for the 50. You lose muscle mass quickly as you age. • And, of course, this year, a B70 – great motivation to compete late in the age group (I’m going back to futzing around and trying to stay in shape until I age up) • I always pay attention to technique – do some drills but not over-do. Am not one of those who pooh-pooh TI – you need some defined base to revert to. Ask the coach what he sees with your stroke when you swim slowly or tired or fast. Fix if broken. Don’t get into bad habits. Actually, I don’t really see myself as ‘improving’. I am not one of those nearly faster than when at university. Having not swum for some 35 years, I kind of wonder ‘how come I’m so slow now – where did it all go?’ I’m just trying to get to where I think I should be. Being a bit of a slack trainer, I feel there is still room to “improve” but it’s going to mean harder work, dammit. Ian.

I’m glad Jim brought up this thread again – another year has past and there have been some minor improvements in the age group (probably the last, with one more year to go) LCM 50 free (sorry no yards) 1961 at 20: 24.9 (no hundredths then) eased into masters starting 1997: 2000 at 59 (55-59): 28.39 2002 at 61 (60-64): 27.80 2009 at 68 (65-69): 27.50 SCM 50 free (sorry no SCM at 20) 1997 at 56 (55-59): 28.13 2005 at 64 (60-64): 27.04 2009 at 68 (65-69): 26.88 For those who want to torture themselves, here is a Youtube of the 26.88 (in “HD” you can read the time) done this year in the 65-69 heat at the Canadian nationals: YouTube- Men's 50 Free Heat 3 (00040) Next to me is Vinus van Baalen who also swims for San Diego. He screwed up his turn worse than I did. (I turned a bit too far from the wall and lost an explosive push-off) It was one of those slippery plastic bulkheads and you had to turn perfectly square or you’d slip sideways (like Vinus did). A mistake like that in a 50 and you’re dead meat. Ian. Those are great times Ian! I would be really proud to go those times at 50, let alone 68. What do you attribute the improvement to? More training? Smarter training? Better technique?

500 free best: 5:23 1986 age 15 masters: 5:43 2008 age 37 100 free best: :51 or :52 (don't remember for sure), 1987 age 16 masters: :53.99 2008 age 37

Harder work = less squash and more time in the gym? Thx Fort, Harder work = do some (12.5's, 25's, even 100's) race pace or 'all outs' every work out (3x a week) and be more often in the gym. Pretty slack, I know. BTW: congrats on your 50's back & fly! Hope they hold out in the FINA rankings. Ian.

it would be interesting for folks to add their recent times to this

These are jammer or brief times, or apples to apples :) 50yd Free 18-24: 21.26 25-29: zzzzzzzzz 30-34: zzzzzzzzz 35-39: 22.45 40-44: 22.23 (4/2011) 100yd Free 18-24: 45.91 25-29: zzzzzzzzz 30-34: zzzzzzzzz 35-39: 49.81 40-44: 49.41 (4/2011) 200yd Free 18-24: 1:42.75 25-29: zzzzzzzzz 30-34: zzzzzzzzz 35-39: 1:49.41 40-44: 1:49.64 (4/2011)