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?
Maybe it would help if we saw our swimming and swim meets the same way most runners see their running and races. Especially at the 5K/10K level. Sure people like to get faster, but at a race you see all kinds of paces - from those that have qualified for the Boston Marathon to those who take 45:00 to finish a 5K. And many even just walk it.
So I can accept that 1) I will probably never have a National qualifying time ranked time, 2) the only time I will get a medal/ribbon for any race will be because I got it by default, and 3) at a meet like Colonies Zone I can still get points for my team (VMST) even though it will be at events like relays, 100/200 Fly, and 200 Back and the points I get will be, again, won by default.
You need to determine what you want out of your swimming. If you would like to improve your speed and/or endurance, it is best to join a club. The interaction with a coach and other swimmers is valuable as a gauge for you to use to track improvements.
I was a collegiate swimmer and have tried to train by myself before. It is incredibly difficult to maintain a high level of performance, let alone attain one, and I know what I need to do. Some people are fine training alone, but the vast majority of us need interaction and feedback.
Don't worry about yardage. I know a guy that only trains about 850 yards per day and is a way fast sprinter. It is what you do with your time in the water that counts, not the gross yardage. Another place that a club experience will help.
Welcome, and best of luck!
Maybe it would help if we saw our swimming and swim meets the same way most runners see their running and races. Especially at the 5K/10K level. Sure people like to get faster, but at a race you see all kinds of paces - from those that have qualified for the Boston Marathon to those who take 45:00 to finish a 5K. And many even just walk it.
So I can accept that 1) I will probably never have a National qualifying time ranked time, 2) the only time I will get a medal/ribbon for any race will be because I got it by default, and 3) at a meet like Colonies Zone I can still get points for my team (VMST) even though it will be at events like relays, 100/200 Fly, and 200 Back and the points I get will be, again, won by default.
You need to determine what you want out of your swimming. If you would like to improve your speed and/or endurance, it is best to join a club. The interaction with a coach and other swimmers is valuable as a gauge for you to use to track improvements.
I was a collegiate swimmer and have tried to train by myself before. It is incredibly difficult to maintain a high level of performance, let alone attain one, and I know what I need to do. Some people are fine training alone, but the vast majority of us need interaction and feedback.
Don't worry about yardage. I know a guy that only trains about 850 yards per day and is a way fast sprinter. It is what you do with your time in the water that counts, not the gross yardage. Another place that a club experience will help.
Welcome, and best of luck!
