New here so apologies if this is well-trodden territory, but I'm a 41 year old former age group swimmer. I was pretty good, not great but decided to quit swimming at 17 to pursue "other interests" in college. Basically, I just burned out.
Recently, I found myself back in the pool and have swum a few meets and really love it. My times have been pretty good but I wonder if I can ever do a lifetime best at this age? Anybody out there in their 40's or so continuing to kill it in the pool? What are my chances? So far I'm within 2 or 3 seconds of my best 100fr (:49+) and 100br (1:03).
At 40 years old, my times are all faster than my high school best times (except for the 200/500 free). Some of the time drops are significant (23.5 to 21.9 in the 50 free). But I never took any time off and weigh the same as I did in high school, so I may not be a good data point. But to answer the original question: yes, it can be done.
Lastly: nobody has mentioned it yet, but Dara Torres has been setting American Records in her 40s (and obviously doing lifetime bests in order to do so).
At 40 years old, my times are all faster than my high school best times (except for the 200/500 free). Some of the time drops are significant (23.5 to 21.9 in the 50 free). But I never took any time off and weigh the same as I did in high school, so I may not be a good data point. But to answer the original question: yes, it can be done.
Lastly: nobody has mentioned it yet, but Dara Torres has been setting American Records in her 40s (and obviously doing lifetime bests in order to do so).
