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?
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).
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).
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.
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).
I'm sure if you joined the team and spoke to the coach about your goals and how you want to improve your stroke, they'd be able to offer some good advice - that's what they're there for after all! Don't let the fact that you perceive yourself as slow prevent you from joining up.
The encouragement and accountability swimming with a team brings into your swimming mix has no equivalent benefit in attempting to swim alone.
Looking at cut-times, records, and such for the extremely proficient is not motivational. Swimming along with someone who is working through the same issues you are is very motivational.
Forget the beers, until after you and your team finish a workout together!
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!
Former Member
Good point about running. It doesn't bother me if I can't run a mile at a 6 min. pace. It is just not going to happen. So I can live with my wicked slothy swimming. Although the idea that I’m not improving because I’m vigorously practicing poor technique is still worrisome.
In any case, I don’t have much to lose (except $65 a month) staying with the team for at least a few months. Tonight was I was second in the lane of shame with 5 others and I enjoyed it.
It would likely also help if I concentrate more on form work at the gym and less on distance. This would also allow me to work on my awesome 58 s per 50 m *** stroke.:D
Thanks,
Mike
So I can accept that 1) I will probably never have a National qualifying time ranked time,I wouldn't give up on that too easily. It takes about 4 years to master something. You might be disappointed if you make this a short term goal. Long term, just about anything is possible so long as you are willing to put in a good bit of effort. NQTs are not the sole domain of ex-High School/College swimmers. I've made a couple after 2 1/2 years and I was a non-athlete in high school. NQTs don't have to be your goal... there's plenty to enjoy from being on a swim team without being fast. I never really made them my goal but I never wrote them off as impossible either. I try to focus more on the small monthly gains and making sure I'm faster at my next meet. NQTs just kind of happened along the way.
2) the only time I will get a medal/ribbon for any race will be because I got it by default,My favorite way to win!
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.All short term stuff. Stick with it and it won't be long before you beat someone in your age group. The fun part about being the novice on the team is that you get to improve faster than everyone else.
The good thing about swimming is winning really isn't everything. Setting best times, swimming an event you've never done before, etc. are also worthy achievements. Remember that even those of us who grew up swimming are used to losing.
Maybe it would help if we saw our swimming and swim meets the same way most runners see their running and races.
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.
To put in my $.02. Swimming with a team/group is much more enjoyable than swimming alone. Having a coach construct the workouts for you and friends to share the pain of the workout with you is so much better than trying to do it alone.
Very few of the people I swim with compete in meets. I had no interest in competing when I started back swimming, but I tried it, liked it and used the improvement I made in meets as a reason to work harder in workouts. Don't worry about the medal/ribbon from the meets - the drink/dinner that you share with your team afterwards will mean much more to you.
Finally, if you swim the 200 fly and get a point, medal, ribbon or anything else, it is not won by default - there is a reason that most people choose not to swim that race and those people who do, are deserving of their rewards.
I joined a workout group by happenstance. I was swimming by myself and lucky to swim 50s in 55 seconds. Then the local YWCA closed. A noon workout group moved across town to the YMCA where I was swimming. Most days, I was finishing my workout when they were starting, so I got a pretty good idea of just how much slower I was. Because of that, I would have never have joined them if a couple of the swimmers hadn't suggested I try to do their workouts. Even then, I was nervous at first. I was slow, I didn't want to get in people's way, etc.
Several years later, I'd say joining that group was one of the luckiest things to ever happen to me. Sure, at first, I'd sit out parts of sets and even then some days I'd leave the pool wondering how I was going to lift my arms. But I learned a lot and got faster -- much faster and in a shorter period of time than I ever got on my own.
That's just the swimming side. I also met a bunch of great people and made many friends. I am lucky to be able to swim, but I am luckier to be able to swim with friends. I know everyone's experience will be different, but mostly I've found swimmers to be welcoming and good people to know.
Just my :2cents: