So, I'm going to Nationals this summer. It will be my first meet... ever. I know I'm a really slow swimmer (part of that comes from being 5'2") and will likely be the slowest one in my events.
But I still want to do it!:D
I'm swimming 50 ***, 100 ***, and 50 free. I had to take 2mo off this spring because our van broke and it took us a while to get it fixed, so I wasn't able to swim from mid-March to mid-May. I'm back in the water now and am building up my training to swimming 5 days a week (in another week our Masters group will be meeting 5:30-7a M-F). Right now we're swimming short course still but when we switch our schedule, we'll be switching pools and swimming long course.
I had to time myself last week so I'd have my seed times for registration. In the past week I've already taken 6sec off my 50 *** - which, I think, is pretty good progress.
I'm not expecting to win my heats or get any awesome times at Nationals, but I'm super excited to be going and am anxious to see how much I've improved my own times.
Has anyone else been the slowest swimmer out there before? Any tips on staying positive? :blush:
Any tips on staying positive? :blush:
Set realistic and achievable goals that are not based on where you place in your events.
Goal 1 – Set personal best times in all 3 events (should be somewhat easy, since it's your first meet)
Goal 2 – Introduce yourself to at least 2 heat mates in each event
Goal 3 – Enjoy the spectacle of swimming in the same pool as Phelps, Lochte, Franklin and the entire USA Olympic Swimming Team
Bonus goal 1 – Keep your goggles on when (and if) you dive
At Tempe in 2003 I wasn't DFL but I was darn close in my events. It stung a lot but motivated me to get serious about my training. I still think that is the fastest Nationals I have ever witnessed. You will be harder on yourself than anyone else will be.
... I'm super excited to be going and am anxious to see how much I've improved my own times.
Has anyone else been the slowest swimmer out there before? Any tips on staying positive? :blush:
Focus on the first sentence, not the second! Nats are all about having a good time, enjoying the spectacle, the experience, the people, and the swimming. You are going to have a blast!
Results = performance - expectations
Set your expectation for fun, the beauty of swimming in a facility unlike you'll like ever swim in again (or, at least until USMS does this setup again in 2016!), and your time expectations as your time expectations.
I got DFL a number of times in heats and events, sometime by agonizingly massive amounts, back in my HS and college days. Even if I had swum well relative to my own times, I let the place gnaw at me. It wasn't productive then and it's even less productive now in Masters.
Me- almost! 2010 Spring Nationals was my second Masters meet ever; just two months after I joined USMS. Since I live in the Atlanta area, I didn't want to miss out on such a great opportunity. So, I signed up and just decided to give it my best.
I, too, am a breaststroker; I swam the 50, 100, and 200. I say "almost" to being the slowest in my age group, because I only beat out one other gal; another Forumite, as it so happens. (I shall allow her to remain nameless, unless she so chooses...)
You know what? I didn't care one bit! Nobody else will either! It's all about going and doing your best- or at least trying to accomplish that goal. And, it's about meeting people and having fun.
Nationals is a memorable experience; I recently returned from my fourth one. Meeting other Forumites is a highlight and seeing my friends met at prior Nationals is a blast. Do your best to connect with others who plan to attend, right here on the forums. (If budget allowed I would be there to cheer you on, but I have to sit this one out.)
Make sure to post, again, after Nationals, and let us know how it went for you. I know you won't regret the experience!
Good luck!
:cheerleader:
I not ashamed to admit it... It was me!
Love the Smilies, Anna Lea! :applaud: And, it was a pleasure being a cellar dwellar along with you at Nationals. Meeting and swimming with you was one of the fun memories I had of my first Nationals and it just didn't matter where I ended up in the rankings.
Now, for my favorites:
:bliss: :ohyeah: :bouncing::afraid::bighug: :groovy: :wiggle: :chug::thewave:
I haven't gone to a national meet yet, but in my two usms meets ive often in the same event been both dead last in my age group and either 2nd or 3rd place. Helps to get older. Remember what we always tell kids in sports - the most important thing is to have fun. Your times will be what they will be. Hope you enjoy the experience and the terrific pool.
