SSPC: Austin Surhoff on How 45-Minute Training Days Led to Best Times at Age 30

In theĀ SwimSwam PodcastĀ dive deeper into the sport you love with insider conversations about swimming. Hosted byĀ Coleman HodgesĀ andĀ Gold Medal Mel Stewart, SwimSwam welcomes both the biggest names in swimming that you already know, and rising stars that you need to get to know, as we break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.

We sat down with NCAA-champion Austin Surhoff, who turned some heads by racking up 2 lifetime bests at the Richmond Pro Swim. Surhoff went 22.5 in the 50 free and 49.6 in the 100 free, very solid times that put him on the list for potentially finaling at Olympic Trials. As someone who was always a grinder in practice but didn’t necessarily love it, Surhoff takes us through the process that has helped him embrace and enjoy swimming again. This routine includes 45-minute workouts, just enough to make gains and keep his attention. Surhoff emphasizes that what he’s doing is manageable and sustainable for anyone at any point in life to see success.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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Opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the interviewed guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of the hosts, SwimSwam Partners, LLC and/or SwimSwam advertising partners.

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Super-extra-mega suited Cielo
3 years ago

Austin, is sub 20 possible for humans in a 50 free LCM ?

Mr Piano
Reply to  Super-extra-mega suited Cielo
3 years ago

I think that peak limit for humans is around 20.3 mid, and thatā€™s probably not gonna happen for a very, very long time…

M d e
Reply to  Mr Piano
3 years ago

What do you base this on?

Not having a crack, just curious.

Mr Piano
Reply to  M d e
3 years ago

Well obviously itā€™s just an estimate. Look at Dressel, a monster of a swimmer, who might go 20.9 this year. If he focused solely on the 50 to become a pure 50 sprinter, Iā€™d imagine heā€™d be able to go 20.7

20.7 probably wouldnā€™t be broken for at least a decade. If you look at the history of the 50 free, itā€™s been pretty optimized for 40 years. Tom Jager went 21.81 and Biondi went 21.85 in briefs, with a block that was a two feet long, all in 1981. Those two would probably be going 21.2 today. Popov was 21.64 with no cap, in a brief. Definitely would contend with Dressel today.

But will the human limit ever be… Read more Ā»

Austin Surhoff
Reply to  Super-extra-mega suited Cielo
3 years ago

no clue! there are much, much smarter people than me that grapple with that question though.

Brian Jones
3 years ago

Loved it. Thanks guys. Even though Iā€™m now far beyond my high level swimming days, it was all so relatable and cool to hear. Best of luck and continued fun, Austin!

SMF
3 years ago

Love it Austin
-Shayne F

…You too Coleman <3

Dylan
3 years ago

Inspiring af. Think of it this way, Nick Santos is 40 still world class so youā€™ve got plenty in the tank Austin lol.

Austin Surhoff
Reply to  Dylan
3 years ago

watching Tom Brady last weekend gave inspiration too

Erik
3 years ago

Every swimmer, every coach in this sport needs to watch this. So great, thank you for sharing.

Austin Surhoff
Reply to  Erik
3 years ago

thanks for watching!

Bevo
3 years ago

Austin, Hook Em!

Austin Surhoff
Reply to  Bevo
3 years ago

šŸ¤˜šŸ»šŸ¤˜šŸ»šŸ¤˜šŸ»

Flyin'
3 years ago

Really appreciated this podcast. As a postgrad swimmer trying to balance still loving swimming while also trying to grow professionally, I totally understand where Austin is coming from and definitely find myself in the same place often. Trying to explain to people that I’m still swimming a few years after college gets some weird looks and I quite frequently find myself justifying it in conversation. It’s great to hear from others who are in similar situations, still wanting to perform at a high level just cause it’s so darn fun.

Dylan
Reply to  Flyin'
3 years ago

People just have this notion in their brain that they become a swammer or they have to get washed up after college. If you love swimming it can always be apart of your lifestyle.

Seth
Reply to  Dylan
3 years ago

I am still swimming masters and USA swimming at 26!

Iā€™m even doing open water races!

Even though most of my competitors are younger or older swimming is still fun!

Austin Surhoff
Reply to  Seth
3 years ago

love it Seth! we have limitless time to do this thing.

Austin Surhoff
Reply to  Dylan
3 years ago

the key IMO that I hope people understand is as long as you give yourself space to enter a new phase, you can always be a swimmer. the hard part is when people think they have to recapture who they “were” as a college swimmer. but most of us grow, change, and mature after college. so your identity as a swimmer should as well. Also we don’t have time to do the type of training college kids do, lol.

Last edited 3 years ago by Austin Surhoff

About Coleman Hodges

Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on ā€¦

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