Katie Hoff Targets 2028 Olympic Trials Qualifying Time
The 37-year-old retired swimmer is training to meet the 1:10.19 standard in a post-career performance experiment.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Swimming
Live Poll
Do you set new, challenging physical goals to stay motivated as you get older?
Former professional swimmer Katie Hoff, 37, is training to meet the 100-meter breaststroke qualifying standard for the 2028 US Olympic Trials. Despite aiming for this performance goal, Hoff intends to attend the 2028 Games solely as a podcaster rather than a competitor.
Why it matters
Hoff's pursuit of a high-performance athletic benchmark years after her 2015 retirement highlights the evolving approach to physical recovery and fitness goals among former elite athletes postpartum. Her training plan offers a window into how master-level athletes manage longevity and post-retirement fitness goals.
The 2028 US Olympic Trials for the women's 100-meter breaststroke require a qualifying standard of 1:10.19. This benchmark remains within the historical performance range of Hoff, who set a career-best time of 1:08.60 in 2014.
The players
Katie Hoff
A 37-year-old former professional swimmer and host of the Unfiltered Waters podcast.
The details
To reach this target, Hoff is currently swimming approximately four times per week. She is shifting her focus toward sprinter-specific training, an approach that emphasizes explosive power and anaerobic capacity to optimize speed. This strategy aims to test the physical potential of her body post-retirement and after giving birth in August 2026.
Timeline
2014: Hoff set her career best 100-meter breaststroke time.
2015: Hoff retired from professional swimming.
August 2026: Hoff gave birth to her first child.
2028: US Olympic Trials and the Los Angeles Olympic Games occur.
Health Landscape
This endeavor sits within the broader trend of retired elite athletes engaging in structured, high-intensity training to test biological limits post-career. It contrasts with the standard transition to recreational fitness by utilizing established US Olympic Trials qualifying standards as a primary progress metric.
Readers interested in post-retirement fitness may find inspiration in Hoff's approach of setting objective, time-bound physical goals. Those interested in returning to intense physical training should discuss a safe, progressive load-management plan with a physician or certified strength coach.
The takeaway
Setting measurable athletic benchmarks can serve as a powerful tool for maintaining motivation and functional health throughout different life stages. When pursuing new, high-intensity performance goals, consider consulting with a medical professional to ensure your training plan aligns with your current recovery capacity.
Further reading
Learn more about high-level athletic training and recovery in our Swimming section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by SwimSwam.
Live Poll
Do you set new, challenging physical goals to stay motivated as you get older?
