Hi everyone:
I just turned 37 years old and I'm going through midlife crisis. Long story short, I just started swimming again last week, and timed myself in the 200 meter free. I came in just under 2:35. When I was a youngster many years ago, I tried the Pentathlon (Shooting, fencing, swimming, equestrian show jumping, running). I quickly excelled in all the disciplines and finished 5th in the US. What kept me from being a contender to make the U.S. team, was my swim. Back then, I swam a 2:31 (after 6 mo practice). In order to be a contender, I'd have to swim about a 2:12. I have no swim coach, but I have all the free time to dedicate myself, and just for my own sake I want to see if I could at some time in my life achieve something close to a 2:12. For all you older swimmers who I admire so much, can you give me some realistic words of encouragement - or a reality check?
Bobinator gives you some good advice - If you're not already doing so, find and start practicing with a team; you'll get good advice from the coach and other participants and you'll push yourself harder than you would on your own (probably).
If you don't have a team nearby, try checking out some videos to give you some tips on how you can tweak your stroke - GoSwim has a lot on freestyle...check them out
And frankly, 30-something is a little early for a midlife crisis---you;re still a kid for pete's sake...your goal seems readonable in you if you put your mind to it
good luck!
Bobinator gives you some good advice - If you're not already doing so, find and start practicing with a team; you'll get good advice from the coach and other participants and you'll push yourself harder than you would on your own (probably).
If you don't have a team nearby, try checking out some videos to give you some tips on how you can tweak your stroke - GoSwim has a lot on freestyle...check them out
And frankly, 30-something is a little early for a midlife crisis---you;re still a kid for pete's sake...your goal seems readonable in you if you put your mind to it
good luck!
