Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

RE: Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

Former Member — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:53:24 GMT

Bravo to the both of you Mike. My only hope if I get to be 90 and near a pool is that they will have to urge my out rather than in .

RE: Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

orca1946 — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:52:29 GMT

Please read all the stuff from us that are not 20;s anymore .

RE: Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

Former Member — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:40:00 GMT

Love it.

RE: Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

Former Member — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 07:25:53 GMT

PS She also thinks Michael Phelps "is so cute."

RE: Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

Former Member — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 06:51:41 GMT

Mike - this is a GREAT story that takes my breath away! What an amazing son you are for helping your Mother get back to the water. Where did she coach in SoCal? You can let her know that there is a swimmer in SoCal wishing her well in the water. Ahelee P.S. Be careful who overhears you encourage her to swim in masters meets or dive off the blocks... :) She coached the Blue Fin Swim Club and the Norwalk-La Mirada YMCA teams. Was also the head of aquatics for the American Red Cross. But todays workout was a little much. Hip pain cut it short at 80yards --- I think she went out way too fast --- her pace would have shattered the 6 minute barrier for 100 yards. Maybe I should get her a tech suit?

RE: Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

Former Member — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:05:35 GMT

Wait a while and ask the question when you are 76. I swam this morning for a little bit.

RE: Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

Former Member — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 14:56:55 GMT

RE: Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

Former Member — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 14:50:00 GMT

Wait a while and ask the question when you are 76. I swam this morning for a little bit. I'm getting pretty close to 76 but my suit won't dry so I can't hang it up. :D

RE: Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

Former Member — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 14:05:49 GMT

When you get to 50 my suggestion is hang up your swim suit.

RE: Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

Jim Clemmons — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 12:13:56 GMT

50 sucks...even the AARP benefits aren't what I thought they would be... Too bad you didn't know that beforehand...maybe you could have declined the opportunity to leave the previous age-group. :bighug: Not to worry...it gets worse before it gets better.

RE: Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

Ahelee Sue Osborn — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 10:40:11 GMT

I will go to Kihei in a few hours to visit my Mom who is 90 and in a wheelchair, she broke her hip 15 months ago. She has also broken her neck, survived lymphoma, *** cancer, and skin cancer. Recently my goal is to get her back swimming, she was an age group coach in SoCal back in the fifties. The first time back in the pool was a few weeks ago and she put up a lot of resistance. But the last time was last Thursday and her attitude had made a huge shift for the better. She complains that she cannot believe how slow she is but I counter with "look how much further you go each time." The goal is 1/4 mile. She did 320 yards last time. I told her when she does 1/4 mile then we'll go play in the ocean. She is really enjoying this latest phase in her long swimming history. Mike - this is a GREAT story that takes my breath away! What an amazing son you are for helping your Mother get back to the water. Where did she coach in SoCal? You can let her know that there is a swimmer in SoCal wishing her well in the water. Ahelee P.S. Be careful who overhears you encourage her to swim in masters meets or dive off the blocks... :)

RE: Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

Redbird Alum — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:59:42 GMT

Belle - 51 and still having fun. I swim mostly on my own but come here (to the forums) and one or two meets a year to share, laugh, and learn. Let us know what questions you have and come back often! Keep swimming!

RE: Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

Paul Smith — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:43:10 GMT

50 sucks...even the AARP benefits aren't what I thought they would be. Buy a golf cart and get a hot tub...

RE: Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

Former Member — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 05:57:26 GMT

I'm looking for a site for people who love swimming, are good swimmers but do not want to do competition swimming, especially a site that includes discussions by people over fifty.... I think you will find a lot of what you are looking for here. I like going to local meets and participating, but I don't really qualify as a "competitive swimmer". I just do it because it is fun. There are lots of threads on this forum that do not have a focus of competitive swimming. Feel free to stat your own. Asking questions is a good start. I'm 51 now, but most days I feel at least 10 years older due to a debilitating arthritic condition. In 1994 I could not lift my arms out of the water, nor lift my elbows above my shoulders. Since then I've done a 200 fly and 400IM (legally, in competition, again, just for fun... and bragging rights). Most of my recovered mobility is from swimming. While my endurance is off now, my technique is still good. I still swim fly. You will find all sorts of swimmers here. I find this to be a well balanced BBS, with a lot of good information. Welcome. :)

RE: Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

sydned — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:59:27 GMT

My mom doesn't swim, but started running at 50, ran her first marathon at 55, and has now done duathlons and her first Century bike ride at 62 last summer, and continues to run like a madwoman. She's 63 now and just did three races in three weeks--including the New York 1/2 marathon on an AWFUL humid and miserable day when many other runners dropped out. I am damn proud. (And really lucky to have gotten her genes.)

RE: Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

Former Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:01:29 GMT

During practice one day last year, I was discussing age groups with one of my teammates, a woman in her early forties. She asked how old I was, and when I told her I was 50, her response was, "Good for you!" So much for the theory that 50 is the new 30. Amazing that I am able to get to and from the pool without assistance. Ha! So much for the "No way are you 50!" response.

RE: Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

Former Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:56:43 GMT

RE: Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

Former Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:00:28 GMT

Regrettably, one of the best swimmers in USMS just turned 50. You are that young? Wow...shocker. Wait, you said "best" so you weren't talking about yourself then.

RE: Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

Former Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:23:33 GMT

RE: Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

Former Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:31:45 GMT

I am soon to be 50. I have followed (in the escort boat) two swimmers from England to France. I am very slow myself but am steady 55 second 50 yards. This is a great group. any questions you will get many varied responses. Welcome! and post often :)

RE: Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

ViveBene — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:15:11 GMT

Hello All, Thank-you for responding. It's good to know you are out there.I do have lots of questions and will try to feed them in slowly plus a little gossip about French competition swimmers and record holders. I'm not a very fast swimmer, at my best I do about 45 seconds for 50 meters but I try to put in 1 1/2 hours a day. Hoping to hear from you From the land of Burger King (or seeds and nuts -- take your pick :D ) I'd love to be inundated by things French. Fresh croissants, coffee, elegant pastries, chic couture, l'Opera, l'accent grave. American streets in the early dawn smell of diesel fuel. The forums have regular participants from Sweden, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Canada, and other places with water to swim in. I like the different perspectives and stories, and perhaps there will be a novel recipe to contribute to the nutrition thread. :applaud:

RE: Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

TRYM_Swimmer — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:08:08 GMT

RE: Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

TRYM_Swimmer — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:49:56 GMT

Welcome, Elizabeth! There are many of us here a good deal over fifty, and swim for as many reasons as you can think. Most will courteously answer any type of question and we are always up for go--- (er, news) about other swimmers. One branch of my family (Ferree) is Hugenot. They emigrated to South Central Pennsylvania sometime around 1600. One of the most interesting pools I ever visited was a very old facility in Strabourg, that had separate pools for men and women (swim suits optional). This was in 1980, so it may not even be there anymore. Look forward to hearing from you often!

RE: Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

Former Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:13:11 GMT

I've always liked French fries and French toast. Oh, there is that kissing thing too.

RE: Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

FindingMyInnerFish — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:44:41 GMT