Seems inevitable, no? Even though my practice times seem to be pretty consistent with intervals I was able to hold 5 to 7 years ago (mid to early
30's), now that I am 40, my races just seem to get slower. Its an odd scenario to be in. As an age grouper and into college, the older you got, the more you trained, the faster you swam. Now, it seems, mother nature is kicking things in reverse. While I still love to train, I'm finding less incentive to compete.
Anyone else come to this conclusion?
Count me as another believer in more race-pace swimming, if your goal is your best possible performance in shorter races. I am 40 and I have been swimming masters since I was 27. For several years I focused primarily on OW racing, so my main workout objectives did not include maxing out my speed or my heart rate. This season after I decided to go to Nationals I spent more time in workout swimming at a faster pace with more rest, really working on being able to recruit all my muscles at the same time and on getting my heart to go fast enough to serve them. I swam best masters times in every event this season. A lifetime best in the 100 back now seems possible whereas if someone had suggested that goal to me a year ago I would have laughed.
Count me as another believer in more race-pace swimming, if your goal is your best possible performance in shorter races. I am 40 and I have been swimming masters since I was 27. For several years I focused primarily on OW racing, so my main workout objectives did not include maxing out my speed or my heart rate. This season after I decided to go to Nationals I spent more time in workout swimming at a faster pace with more rest, really working on being able to recruit all my muscles at the same time and on getting my heart to go fast enough to serve them. I swam best masters times in every event this season. A lifetime best in the 100 back now seems possible whereas if someone had suggested that goal to me a year ago I would have laughed.
