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?
Parents
Former Member
Like shannalee80 I'm been thinking about the benefit of swimming with the team versus swimming alone and I had decided that swimming with a team made the most sense. But after seeing the "motivational times" for kids and masters, I'm not so sure now.
Given that I would have trouble keeping up with a proficient 10 year old boy or a 75 year old master, it's clear to me that my free style has serious problems. Fixing the problems (more classes or coaching?) probably makes more sense than continuing to reinforce my current “skills”. It's hard to see much benefit from slogging along in the slow lane with a team if I’m not constantly improving (even if only slightly).
Like shannalee80 I'm been thinking about the benefit of swimming with the team versus swimming alone and I had decided that swimming with a team made the most sense. But after seeing the "motivational times" for kids and masters, I'm not so sure now.
Given that I would have trouble keeping up with a proficient 10 year old boy or a 75 year old master, it's clear to me that my free style has serious problems. Fixing the problems (more classes or coaching?) probably makes more sense than continuing to reinforce my current “skills”. It's hard to see much benefit from slogging along in the slow lane with a team if I’m not constantly improving (even if only slightly).
