Rich Abrahams, Rewriting the Record Books At 70

Rich Abrahams
Photo Courtesy: Rich Abrahams

By Nicole Cassou, Swimming World College Intern

For most aging adults, hitting a milestone like 70 is not something to look forward to. The opposite is true in Masters swimming, where aging up brings not apathy, but excitement for a whole new set of goals.

“Literally I have heard this expressed by a woman who was 49 years old saying, ‘I can’t wait, next year I’ll be 50,’ you don’t normally hear that,” Rich Abrahams said. Abrahams started Masters swimming in 1975.

Since turning 70 in March, Abrahams has been rewriting the record books in his new age group. In just over six months, Abrahams has claimed 14 world records and 20 national records in all three courses.

During the first week of August, at the U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS) Long Course Nationals in Geneva, Ohio, Abrahams set new world records in the 50 and 100 fly, as well as the 50 free.

He was also the first Masters swimmer ever to receive Swimming World’s Performance of The Week in the summer of 2010, when he went a blazing 22.10 in the 50-yard free, and a 49.42 in the 100-yard free as a 65-year-old.

In total, Abrahams currently holds 19 individual world records, and 36 individual national records in sprint butterfly, freestyle, the individual medley, and backstroke over four separate age groups. Over the past 30 years of Masters competition he has set 54 world and 104 national individual records.

A Storied Start

Abrahams grew up in a suburb of New York City, where his family belonged to a beach club with a pool. While there was no organized team, Abrahams learned of his affinity for the sport by swimming in races on the 4th of July and Labor Day. He didn’t start swimming competitively until his family moved to Florida when he was 14, where he tried out for his high school swim team in tenth grade.

He quickly learned that he was “low man on the totem pole,” but quickly improved, making All-City, and finishing in the top three at State, earning him a partial scholarship to Northwestern University.

Similar to his high school experience, Abrahams dropped significant time, taking him to an entirely different level of competition. He was the first swimmer at Northwestern in nine years to make it to the NCAAs, where he got fifth in the 50 free his sophomore year. The following season he placed second in the 50.

Unfortunately, during his senior year Abrahams, a two-time All-American fell ill at the Big 10 Championships, spending 10 days in the hospital, and later had a relapse two days before NCAAs (where he was the top seed in the 50 free). True to form, Abrahams persevered to compete so that the team’s 200 free relay could race.

After graduation, Abrahams left the pool behind him, attending Columbia Law School, and then continuing on to practice law in New York City. Realizing that law wasn’t his true calling, Abrahams and his wife moved to Colorado, where he eventually started swimming again after a nine-year hiatus. He pursued a career in recreational administration, after completing all the course work for a graduate degree in performance physiology at Colorado University.

Total Responsibility

Abrahams is completely self-motivated and acts as his own coach, designing his workouts with his physiology degree in mind.

“In the mid 1970s I had a fairly good understanding of what energy systems were important for certain types of physical activities,” he said. “From 1975 on I trained to race, I never trained to train.”

A typical week for Abrahams is swimming six days a week with one total rest day, where two days focus on pure speed, one day on lactate, easy recovery another, and two more of stroke or aerobic threshold work.

2004 USMS SC National Championships Indianapolis April 22-25, 2004 Abrahams, R.T.

Photo Courtesy: Peter Bick

It is this focus and discipline that makes Abrahams such a successful Masters swimmer. “You can’t just leave it all up to your coach,” he said. “You have to take total responsibility and be a student of the sport.”

Abrahams is also a dedicated fan, attending the past three Olympic Trials, and regularly follows four swimming websites. “You know my wife thinks it’s a little weird,” he said jokingly. “I just love the sport.”

Keys to Successful Aging

In addition to his training, volunteer coaching for the University of Denver, and running Masters swim clinics, Abrahams also has been giving presentations called “The Keys to Successful Aging,” which largely parallels the benefits of Masters swimming.

A central theme of successful aging is engaging in life. “It can mean a whole bunch of things,” Abrahams said. “Staying productive, being connected with people, or spirituality.”

Abrahams has found that spirituality is quite compatible with swimming. “In a lot of ways, swimming has many meditative and zen qualities, because when you’re swimming you are in the moment, listening to your body.”

No End In Sight

The longevity of Abrahams’ career is a testament to his love for the sport. When asked why he loves swimming, Abrahams outlined three simple, but meaningful reasons.

“Staying physically active, having goals, and being a part of a community of people that I respect and love,” he said.

Even if he slows down considerably and his record-breaking streak ends, Abrahams is committed to sticking with the sport to encourage others and be a part of a very special community.

As far as getting older goes, Abrahams has an unabashed positive outlook. “Old is always ten years older than I am,” he said.

Perhaps the secret ingredient to the fountain of youth is chlorine.

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Riann Zurliene
8 years ago

Amazing!!!!!

Priscilla Weston
8 years ago

Marcia Ellis see your future?

Rick Cook
8 years ago

You go Rich!

Rick Cook
8 years ago

You go Rich!

Dirk G. Winkler
8 years ago

cool!!!

Amy Nicholson Braun
8 years ago

Inspiring!

Laura Adams
8 years ago

Inspirational!

Kelly OBrien
8 years ago

Wow!!!

Tyler Yates
8 years ago

22.1 in the 50 free! People say they’re out of shape or slow because of “age” but here’s proof that it’s what you do that matters.

Isabel Marquez Jackson

WOW mira su abdomen!!!

Isabel Marquez Jackson

WOW mira su abdomen!!!

Jean Pierre Litano
8 years ago

I’m the same way in 60 years ?

Danny Atehortua
8 years ago

Rodion Seleznev you gotta check this out

Ron Contreraz
8 years ago

Awesome! Thx for sharing!

Jay Ruberg
8 years ago

Porter McNeil looks like u at 70

Porter McNeil
8 years ago
Reply to  Jay Ruberg

22.10 in the 50 Free in 2010. Wow.

Jay Ruberg
8 years ago
Reply to  Jay Ruberg

Nice day at the beach ! Hope ur up in Michigan!

Susie Keough
8 years ago

Christine Dahlstrom Maki how cool is this?!

Ben Severino
8 years ago

Darian Brunetti

victor conte
victor conte
8 years ago

Drugs!

Glenn Gruber
Glenn Gruber
8 years ago
Reply to  victor conte

Sorry to,disappoint you, no drugs for Rich. He has always trained to race and has always lifted weights. He is a gentleman and a great competitor. No drugs needed.

Victor Conte
Victor Conte
8 years ago
Reply to  Glenn Gruber

Yeah-right; he is on drugs. If you think he is clean, you believe in Santa Claus.

Kathy Cray
8 years ago

Wowza!

Jessica Lou
8 years ago

Chryzl Goco Ally Rubiano goals or nah

Chryzl Goco
8 years ago
Reply to  Jessica Lou

HELL YESSS

Todd Worthington
8 years ago

Amazing story. Just wish there were more pools that were not chlorine. Found out late in my junior year (1983) I was allergic. Kept me out of the pool for many years. The chlorine has the same affect as the sun on my skin. Thank goodness for waterproof sunscreen now. Inspirational

Caroline Brinkworth
8 years ago

Wow…..looking good. Inspirational!

Nicki Jackson
8 years ago

Lyn Lillecrapp ?

Lyn Lillecrapp
8 years ago
Reply to  Nicki Jackson

Wow, that 6-pack! The World Masters Games in NZ in 2017 will be the first to include specific MC events, should be some interesting results. Re his comment “I trained to race” – I might have to change my thinking re enjoying just training.

Ann Ellsworth Guins
8 years ago

Nice article indeed

Michael Perkins
8 years ago

Jeff Price there is hope.

Jeff Price
8 years ago

I’m keeping my stomach hidden!!

viktor quero
8 years ago

Great post/article, very inspiring. I’m not in a hurry, but I look forward to maintain an look like that in the next 30 years. #gonerunning

Johnny Turner
Johnny Turner
8 years ago

Is he on TRT or hormone replacement? Some masters swimmers use it, and compete.

Glenn Gruber
Glenn Gruber
8 years ago
Reply to  Johnny Turner

Rich has always trained hard and it shows in his results. He was one of the nations best sprint freestylers when he was at Northwestern in the 60s. Things have not changed.

He doesn’t do drugs and doesn’t need drugs. He is a student of our sport who sets lofty goals and fulfills those goals by working harder than everyone else. That simple!

Victor Conte
Victor Conte
8 years ago
Reply to  Johnny Turner

He is on drugs. Just like Guthrie, Granger, etc. No testing results in drug cheats.

Rick Walker
Rick Walker
8 years ago

Those who wish to tout drugs as a reason for his success…how much training do you do? Sour grapes.

Victor Conte
Victor Conte
8 years ago
Reply to  Rick Walker

Men don’t get faster after 40-you are naïve to unknowledgeable.

Glenn Gruber
Glenn Gruber
8 years ago
Reply to  Victor Conte

Not true. I am faster now than in college in some events and I am 66. Back then we had no goggles and our workouts were nowhere near as well planned as they are now. Our knowledge of physiology is much greater.

I have been doing USRPT for two years and set a WR in the 400 SCM free last year in my age group. All I do is race pace training. Never ever did anything like that in HS or college. I do no drills, no kicking, no pulling, just race pace training. Oh, and no drugs unless you count Lipitor, my high blood pressure med and my asthma med.

Gregg Strouf
Gregg Strouf
8 years ago

Rich or any one, can you explain what a lactate swimming workout entails, and the purpose please. Lactate is confusing to me and I’m trying to get a better understanding how it relates to a specific swimming session. Thank you. Unbelievable performances.

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