by Dr. Paul Hutinger
Question: I'm approaching the top of my age group, and haven't been very motivated to train, as my times are slow in my present age group with all the younger swimmers moving in.
Answer: Aging up is a superb renewal of life, and provides an excellent opportunity for motivation and the setting of new goals, at whatever skill level you possess. Prepare for aging up the year before, when you are at the top of your age group, by choosing from any of the following ideas.
If you want to expand your horizons and TRY NEW OR LONGER EVENTS, enter the "Check Off Challenge." For your entry, found at www.usms.org (fitness), you receive a t-shirt with all 18 different events listed on the back. As you swim each event, even in practice, you check it off, as a mark of your accomplishment. Some swimmers do this annually. The times that you do are not as important as the training it takes to swim every event.
Start by SETTING UP SOME EASY goals for your next age group, like achieving a FL Top 5 time, or if capable, one or more FL records. This is an excellent time to concentrate on improving your strokes and/or training techniques. Take advantage of one of the new clinics to be offered in FL.
Swim some of your FAVORITE EVENTS and compare your times with your NEW AGE GROUP. Next, do special work and try to improve for the next meet. I've given new swimmers the FL Top 5 list, and have challenged them to attain each of the 5th place times in any practice. This would also work for the USMS or World Top Ten listings. Set your goals based on realistic times that you would be able to reach, and still provide a challenge for your overall ability.
One of my swimmers, Robert MacDonald, ages up to 75, in 2003. In 2002, I encouraged him to work for the National record times at meets in his breaststroke events, in all three courses. He has these goal times posted prominently on his desk. These new goals sparked a new interest and motivated him to continue working out and competing. At a recent meet, he could see how close his times were to the new goals. He realized his performance goals were realistic, and with a specific training program, he would be able to achieve the record times.
I age up to 80 in 2004. With my hemorrhagic stroke in April and nocardia bacterial infection in June, 2002, my training has been mostly rehab, trying to regain speed and endurance. I can identify with slow times in my present age group. My primary goals for this year include surpassing all the FL records for my new age group. Beyond that, I'm training for my five special events, including National and World records in the three backstroke events. So far, I've reached that goal in my 50 m back and am within 4 seconds on my 100 m back.
Be specific with your goals, and train accordingly. Your patience and persistence will pay off in the long run.
Anyone wanting more info, please send a large SASE to: Dr. Paul Hutinger; 1755 Georgia Ave. NE; St. Petersburg, FL 33703.
Anyone wanting additional information, or having personal questions, please send a large SASE to: Dr. Paul Hutinger, 1755 Georgia Ave NE, St. Petersburg FL 33703. You can e-mail me at phut@usms.org.