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?
Former Member
Well, after reading everyone's comments, I am now elderly. I am way off of my times from when I was in my 20s, 30s, 40s. So I have changed gears to do distance, really distance, because it's my last saving grace and so much ezier on my body (so far, I think). I will not stop swimming, period. It just needs to be mega-miles.
I read an article, which I can't find now, that says physiologically, sprint performance peaks in the mid-to-late twenties, and endurance in the mid thirties. Of course there are other variables such as how highly trained a person is, improvements in technique, etc.
The great thing about masters swimming is the age groups.After a certain age(which varies person to person) we all get slower.The trick is to get slower slower than the others in your age group. Better technique and training can temporarily put off or reverse the decline.The old rule of thumb was decline 1%/yr after 30. Masters swimmers have blown that out of the water(can someone find the thread about times and age from a few months back.)
:/ 1% slower than the year before? Then, I'll have to do alot of computation to get to where I need to find out where I ought to be at now - from a fat 15 years old swimmer who did 50 free at 46 from dive (clocked from last night) to me who lost 30 pounds and have 30 more to go at 44 years old who started swimming seriously two months ago. I used to be in Masters twenty years ago. :/
For example, last night at my daughter's high school swim meet, the slowest time for a 50 free was 46 from a dive start. My 50 free from wall to wall not from diving tends to be 56. I'm only 44 years old. I was really crestfallen until I realized that I do not have a Master's Age group table to help me compare my progress to the average. So, my time ought to be???? I'm sleepy right now....:yawn: I need to get up at 5 am for a one hour workout in the pool.
:confused: I do not find what is expected for such age group to complete such event. Betsy, I assume that you have this table that you refer as a guidance. Where do you find this table?
Thanks
ChristineL
Well, after reading everyone's comments, I am now elderly. I am way off of my times from when I was in my 20s, 30s, 40s. So I have changed gears to do distance, really distance, because it's my last saving grace and so much ezier on my body (so far, I think). I will not stop swimming, period. It just needs to be mega-miles.
I bet you could still give most of us a run for our money on a 50 Donna...just have to put a few monkey la-las on the line...
Thanks for that excellent thread! It begs for a nice table that I can use! :D
It is an idea that I can ask rowers over at Concept2.com to see if we can come up with that table as well.
Christine-
There was an article a while back on the USMS site that did (does--just found it!) have a table included. Try this: www.usms.org/.../articledisplay.php
Dana
In running they say if you can run your age in a 10K you are doing well (I.e., I'm 45 so a 45 minute 10K). Is there a similar point of reference in swimming?
In running they say if you can run your age in a 10K you are doing well (I.e., I'm 45 so a 45 minute 10K). Is there a similar point of reference in swimming?
Yes--if you can swim your age for the 100 free, your name is Smith.
