Is it possible to teach an old dog new tricks?

RE: Is it possible to teach an old dog new tricks?

Former Member — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:54:23 GMT

Yes,anyone swimming now will be able to set world records in the 110-114 age group if they keep it up.:thhbbb: Having started swimming two years ago at the age of 42, this is exactly my strategy! Except I was thinking the 80-84 age group might give me a shot. I just have to outlast all those people in the lanes to the left of me. :cheerleader:

RE: Is it possible to teach an old dog new tricks?

swimmieAvsFan — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 12:12:14 GMT

Sort of. It's called Ionization*. - *Requires reading forums threads from several years ago... :) :lmao:

RE: Is it possible to teach an old dog new tricks?

Former Member — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 11:29:41 GMT

IMHO, I'm thinking no. I'm having a terrible time just making slight changes in my strokes and turns. There's just too much bad habit in this old girl. :rofl:

RE: Is it possible to teach an old dog new tricks?

Former Member — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 10:43:45 GMT

Watching from the "other side" of the pool, I also agree. I've swum with my Masters group for 20 years. Our workouts are organized by speed, ranging from the fast lane down to the slow lane (where I usually am). Over the past 20 years I can only think of one swimmer who was fast enough to swim in the fast lane who had not previously been either an age-group or a college swimmer. Anna Lea

RE: Is it possible to teach an old dog new tricks?

Allen Stark — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 07:41:16 GMT

Yes,anyone swimming now will be able to set world records in the 110-114 age group if they keep it up.:thhbbb:

RE: Is it possible to teach an old dog new tricks?

rtodd — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 06:50:56 GMT

You guys are lighting a fire in my belly. Keep talking.

RE: Is it possible to teach an old dog new tricks?

Former Member — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 06:10:16 GMT

Were all of these people elite swimmers before they turned Masters? Would you have to be an elite swimmer in your youth to achieve times like that in later life? Have these people established a huge aerobic base and lots of fast twitch muscle in their youths, without which times like these would not be possible in later life? Yes.

RE: Is it possible to teach an old dog new tricks?

Former Member — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 06:07:26 GMT

What about swimmers who never achieved elite status in their youths? Would it be possible for them to achieve these times given the same training regimens? No.

RE: Is it possible to teach an old dog new tricks?

The Fortress — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 03:50:37 GMT

I agree with Gull. Top ten, maybe achieveable. Incredible WRs like Paul Smith and Laura Val? No.

RE: Is it possible to teach an old dog new tricks?

Former Member — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:00:06 GMT

...is it possible to teach an old dog new tricks? Sort of. It's called Ionization*. - *Requires reading forums threads from several years ago... :)

RE: Is it possible to teach an old dog new tricks?

rtodd — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 07:51:57 GMT

Maybe, maybe not. I am starting to wonder. I think there is some advantage to developing a big base of fitness and skill early in life. I have been swimming hard for 2 1/2 years and am not even in the ball park. I'm thinking it is a 5 year progression to start approaching good times. I am using 55 sec 100 SCY free and a 2:10 200 as the definition of a real good time and my goal. Also holding a 1:20 pace in the distance events would be nice.