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
I've learned so much about myself from swimming.
I waited to join a team until I was sure I could keep up and not embarrass myself. False pride really held me back on that one. My coach is unbelievably generous with helping newbies. I would have progressed much faster if I'd had the humility to show up.
The flip side of false pride is genuine pride. I should have been proud of myself for trying to improve. Being a newbie is not for sissies. It takes courage, dedication and hard work.
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.
Nicely said.
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.
My favorite way to win!
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.
I started masters swimming in 1998, and the workouts for the first couple weeks were a struggle. I started in the slowest lane, but within 3 months I was more toward the middle of the pool.
The increases after that were much much slower. I still haven't gone under 1:00 for 100 SCY free, and a NQT is still nowhere within range.
But I'm in nearly the best shape I've been in ever, enjoy swimming with the team, and I'll do a couple meets here/there.
My endurance is definitely higher now than it was then. I struggled with 2,000 yards at first, and now there's days when I'll do 6,000 or even 7,000 yards.
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.
This is so true for me! :). I swam in my first meet back in June (after saying that I'd NEVER do one), & I too use them to gauge my progress, set objectives, & for the opportunity to try new events. Also (as my coach said) gives you something to work toward.
I feel fortunate that I can work out with my team, then on other days, practice on my own (often in areas that I need to improve on). But definitely takes discipline to stay on intervals, complete the set, etc. on your own when others aren't there with you, doing so.
Personally, I swim alone because of my job. I have to keep it flexible but I usually swim at 05:45 AM four times a week doing about 2000m. each time. I just can't coordinate with a masters club scheduale.
I really wish I could swim at least part time with a coach. Swimming is not like running. It's a very technical sport and a coach can really help. In the past I took a basic TI course but I was one of the minority who couldn't get into it.
If you can swing it, definately join a group.
Most of my workouts are solo. The local masters team meets twice a week, and right now I can only make it to one Saturday practice a month with them. At our town's pool, there are three adult/lap swim times daily, so I try to go when the lanes are less busy so that I can get some decent set work in.
I do find that when I practice with the team I am able to grind out the sets with more energy. I have always tried a little harder when I have folks to pace from and feel accountable to. It is nice to check in with people between sets as well when we are working together as a team.
I also find that the team workouts help me to slow down a bit and work on stroke mechanics more, as we have different ability levels and try to help everyone swim more efficiently, regardless of what their personal goals are in the water. That is one of the great movements of the Masters programs - not so much of the "us vs. them" mentality that I remember from age group days.
