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?
Pentathalon is such an incredible event...of course this is coming from a guy who swam, showed horses and competed in shooting events growing up...
Question...do you currrently have or in the past had coaches for the other disciplines? The reason I ask is that not getting coaching to me is the single biggest challenge you face...don't make the same mistake that so many multisport athletes do and assume that all the swim requires is mileage...technique is everything for a guy with your athletic prowess, you can go back and forth all you want but if its being done incorrectly you'll be wasting valuable energy and not see the improvement you could make.
Pentathalon is such an incredible event...of course this is coming from a guy who swam, showed horses and competed in shooting events growing up...
Question...do you currrently have or in the past had coaches for the other disciplines? The reason I ask is that not getting coaching to me is the single biggest challenge you face...don't make the same mistake that so many multisport athletes do and assume that all the swim requires is mileage...technique is everything for a guy with your athletic prowess, you can go back and forth all you want but if its being done incorrectly you'll be wasting valuable energy and not see the improvement you could make.
