This quote is attributed to Dara Torres, the American swimmer who competed in the 2012 London Olympics at age forty – five. Her performance inspired many older athletes to consider re- entering competition.
I was not one of them!
I did however, return to competitive swimming earlier that summer after a gallbladder attack, with a desire to lose some weight and increase my fitness level. I had attended my high school reunion that spring out of morbid curiosity to see how my classmates had fared over the years.
Were they successful in reaching their goals both professionally and personally?
Had life been kind to them?
And I am not ashamed to admit that I wanted to see how they looked, particularly the ones who had been more popular than I.
“Do you still complete?” The conversation starter with past friends at the reunion. They remembered me as a competitive swimmer so it was inevitable that would be their first question to break the ice after all these years.
I told them I had continued swimming in University and trained inconsistently after my children were born. I didn’t confide in them completely.
Present day I was struggling to find that perfect activity, digesting fitness and health information, attempting the trends, like Zumba, as they emerged. I was lacklustre about any fitness regime and resorted to walking my dog daily however that was falling short of any real cardiovascular training.
My weight, lack of muscle tone and endurance was beginning to affect my self- confidence and I was frustrated that while once I was a very fit individual now I could not commit to any exercise with consistency and enthusiasm.
Returning to swimming and competing was challenging. In my youth I trained twice a day, five days a week and when I returned to the pool I could only manage once a week practice. It left me both sore and confident in my body’s ability. I was relieved and proud that I could still train hard, keeping up with others and that motivated me to attend more practices.
As my confidence and fitness level increased I was determined to compete and that commitment kept me returning to the pool to train.
How humbling when I competed and the times were a far cry from the best times of my youth and yet I was still competitive in my age group and with swimmers many years my junior. It is all relative!
I am so grateful for my renewed competitive spirit and I have set realistic and attainable goals. I was unaware how much I missed the routine of practice, the excitement of the meets and the satisfaction when I swam a personal best.
Unfortunately and ironically I was diagnosed with chlorine induced asthma and had to use a puffer once a day. Not wanting to have to use a puffer I gave up training however I still swim and have moved into aquafit classes.
What I learned in the pool relative to life:
- Accept your present circumstances
- Visualize your best life
- Dedicate time and energy to what you love each day
- Set realistic and appropriate goals in all areas of your life
- Challenges build resilience and commitment
- Have faith and confidence in yourself
- Celebrate the victories, small and great
- Enjoy the journey
And lastly don’t ever think you are too old to return to those activities that you enjoyed, that made you feel alive both inside and out.
Remember the water doesn’t know how old you are!
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