Non competitive distance guy here. For me, the challenge is simply in seeing how far I can go in open water. I'm also a 'sinker', so I've had to be creative with efficient strokes. I've come up with a sidestroke variant of New Paradigm crossed with drownproofing (not spending energy to stay on the surface) that works for me. I'll check out your magazine. :-)

Also, re getting older, about 20 years ago, when I was in my 50s, I spent an hour trying to keep up with the high school swim team at practice. Post shower, I laid down on a locker room bench and announced that I wished I was thirty. One of the guys I swam with responded with: thirty, hell - I wish I was just eighty again. Wish he was with us still...