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?
Parents
Former Member
Dear Paul:
Thanks for your post. Yes, yes, and yes...agree with you 100%. I think that was my mistake the first time around. I was the weakest swimmer by a country mile, and I spent all of my ambition, energy and determination on swimming laps. When I finished a disappointing 5th in the Nationals, and only because of a lousy swim, I got discouraged and pursued a more "normal" life so to say (LOL!). I'm going to do exactly what everyone has suggested...re-work my technique and start fresh. I no longer put the same pressure on myself of making the US team, but I sure would like to find out what my personal best "could" be with the right training. To answer your questions, my background in show-jumping got me into the Pentathlon, and I was lucky enough to be invited for extended training sessions at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for some of the skill sports such as shooting and fencing. But for new pentathletes...the local fencing club or shooting club can help out a lot. Shooting can be practiced at home as 90% of your skill comes thru dry-firing where you "train" your eye. Nowadays, the pentathlon is not only about "making the US team" anymore. USA Pentathlon wants the sport to grow. They now have Masters events or ages 40+, (There was a 59 year old gentleman at this year's Nationals), and we welcome ANYBODY that has an interest - even if they have to sit out an event or two due to lack of experience and/or equipment.
Anyway, thanks again for your nice post.
Dear Paul:
Thanks for your post. Yes, yes, and yes...agree with you 100%. I think that was my mistake the first time around. I was the weakest swimmer by a country mile, and I spent all of my ambition, energy and determination on swimming laps. When I finished a disappointing 5th in the Nationals, and only because of a lousy swim, I got discouraged and pursued a more "normal" life so to say (LOL!). I'm going to do exactly what everyone has suggested...re-work my technique and start fresh. I no longer put the same pressure on myself of making the US team, but I sure would like to find out what my personal best "could" be with the right training. To answer your questions, my background in show-jumping got me into the Pentathlon, and I was lucky enough to be invited for extended training sessions at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for some of the skill sports such as shooting and fencing. But for new pentathletes...the local fencing club or shooting club can help out a lot. Shooting can be practiced at home as 90% of your skill comes thru dry-firing where you "train" your eye. Nowadays, the pentathlon is not only about "making the US team" anymore. USA Pentathlon wants the sport to grow. They now have Masters events or ages 40+, (There was a 59 year old gentleman at this year's Nationals), and we welcome ANYBODY that has an interest - even if they have to sit out an event or two due to lack of experience and/or equipment.
Anyway, thanks again for your nice post.
