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?
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Former Member
Betsy Durant, a poster on the forum, is a masters coach in the Va. Beach area. If you have gotten a punch card with her team, I highly recommend you attend any of her practices that you are able to get too.
Joining a masters team is a blast! You will be amazed at how quickly you reach a 1000yds while swimming with a coach and teammates. You will probably not even know that you have passed way over a 1000 yds while swimming with the group one day.
The punchcard I got is from the Tidewater Aquatic Club. I did meet Betsy at Colonies Zone and she (and the others from VMST) are very nice. I think all of her practices are early morning - I will try one of hers if I have the day off.
Really, 1000m isn't much more than 850m. What I was worried about if showing up right now and being expected to do 2,000-3,000m. But I don't think that will happen in the beginning.
Betsy Durant, a poster on the forum, is a masters coach in the Va. Beach area. If you have gotten a punch card with her team, I highly recommend you attend any of her practices that you are able to get too.
Joining a masters team is a blast! You will be amazed at how quickly you reach a 1000yds while swimming with a coach and teammates. You will probably not even know that you have passed way over a 1000 yds while swimming with the group one day.
The punchcard I got is from the Tidewater Aquatic Club. I did meet Betsy at Colonies Zone and she (and the others from VMST) are very nice. I think all of her practices are early morning - I will try one of hers if I have the day off.
Really, 1000m isn't much more than 850m. What I was worried about if showing up right now and being expected to do 2,000-3,000m. But I don't think that will happen in the beginning.
