Ok - I realize that as I hit 65+, I am a little more shakey on the blocks. Fellow swimmers tell me that my starts are fairly good (I suspect they take age into consideration!); but I noticed that the guy in the lane next to me at a recent meet (who was a bit younger) started in the water and was even with me at about 20 yards into a 500.
I was wondering if anyone has a sense of what the advantage really is for "older" swimmers in terms of blocks v. in-water starts. Especially for those of us who prefer 200's and above!
Thanks everyone for your advice on blocks v. in-water starts.
I ended up doing in-water starts for both races (500 & 1,000) this past weekend - mostly because my PT was concerned about the stress on my shoulder joint which did seem more sore than usual after some practice starts off of the blocks about a week ago (I have had 5 shoulder surgeries in the past 20 years - 2 of them major).
And the advice about the energy required for a block start v. what you want to have left at the end of a distance swim seemed reasonable to consider.
For me, given the nature of these 2 races, the decision was a good one. I was not that far behind people who were close to me in age (there was nobody in my 65-69 age group or older) - even at the 25. I did get both state records and both times were Masters Nationals Qualifying times - and I did have someting left at the end of each race.
So, thanks everyone for all of your good advice!!
Thanks everyone for your advice on blocks v. in-water starts.
I ended up doing in-water starts for both races (500 & 1,000) this past weekend - mostly because my PT was concerned about the stress on my shoulder joint which did seem more sore than usual after some practice starts off of the blocks about a week ago (I have had 5 shoulder surgeries in the past 20 years - 2 of them major).
And the advice about the energy required for a block start v. what you want to have left at the end of a distance swim seemed reasonable to consider.
For me, given the nature of these 2 races, the decision was a good one. I was not that far behind people who were close to me in age (there was nobody in my 65-69 age group or older) - even at the 25. I did get both state records and both times were Masters Nationals Qualifying times - and I did have someting left at the end of each race.
So, thanks everyone for all of your good advice!!
