I just started seriously doing lap swimming and joined USMS at the first of this year. I even did my first swim meet at Colonies Zone in April just to see what they are all about.
I do all of my training alone and I started with doing only 400m total a workout and now I up to 850m. I am adding gradually each month. But I am still the same speed - horribly slow (about 1:00 for 50 free) so I have purchased a Masters workout card.
I figured that I am not getting any faster despite swimming almost every day because 1) I don't know how to improve, and 2) maybe being in a workout will speed me up.
Now I am nervous about 1) showing up and being with swimmers who qualified for Nationals, and 2) having a coach who sees how slow I am.
I have signed up for some swim meets in October/November - mostly 50/100 back, 50/100 free, and 50 fly - and I would like to see my time drop somewhat. Or should I not compete until I see my times in training drop?
Now I am nervous about 1) showing up and being with swimmers who qualified for Nationals, and 2) having a coach who sees how slow I am.
I see you're from Virigina Beach. I dropped in on a few workouts in Virginia Beach when I was there on vacation. The swimmers and coach were very welcoming. As they have been any time I've dropped in on another team's workout. I think most masters teams have fast people, slow people, people who can't kick, people who love to kick, people who have been swimming for 40 years and people who just started this year. I'm sure there will be someone in the pool around the same speed as you to train with. And once you dive in the pool you'll forget about being nervous and start enjoying the camaraderie of swimming with a team.
Now I am nervous about 1) showing up and being with swimmers who qualified for Nationals, and 2) having a coach who sees how slow I am.
I see you're from Virigina Beach. I dropped in on a few workouts in Virginia Beach when I was there on vacation. The swimmers and coach were very welcoming. As they have been any time I've dropped in on another team's workout. I think most masters teams have fast people, slow people, people who can't kick, people who love to kick, people who have been swimming for 40 years and people who just started this year. I'm sure there will be someone in the pool around the same speed as you to train with. And once you dive in the pool you'll forget about being nervous and start enjoying the camaraderie of swimming with a team.
