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:
While I agree most people at masters meets are positive, there are a few who aren't.
I've only done 1 USMS nationals, back when my team hosted it in 2003. After my 2nd event, the 200 yard ***, I was chatting with another guy in the warm-down pool. He asked me what my time was. I don't even remember the time, but it was good for me, and I don't think I was last in my heat. After I told him, he said, "it's people like you who make these meets so long." Mind you, this was after helping with timing, running around on deck, pretty much whatever my coaches asked. I ended up scratching my last event.
That comment turned me off from meets for over 7 years. I finally got back to swimming some meets 2 years ago, and everyone was very positive.
But I've decided I'll never do another national meet, unless I can qualify for at least one event. I purposely planned a weekend out of town last year when nationals was back in the area.
While 99% of masters swimmers are positive and encouraging, it is that 1% who can be especially harsh.
I am so sorry for your experience. I know there are jerks everywhere,but I always felt that there were fewer in Masters.
While I agree most people at masters meets are positive, there are a few who aren't.
I've only done 1 USMS nationals, back when my team hosted it in 2003. After my 2nd event, the 200 yard ***, I was chatting with another guy in the warm-down pool. He asked me what my time was. I don't even remember the time, but it was good for me, and I don't think I was last in my heat. After I told him, he said, "it's people like you who make these meets so long."
That is really unfortunate; I'm sorry that happened to you. How completely cold and rude of that :censor: to say that to you!
I was fortunate to have just the opposite experience at my first Nationals. In addition to what I posted earlier in this thread, I would like to share something else that had a lasting impression on me:
I don't remember, now, if it was after the 200 breaststroke or 100, but, I was greeted at the wall at the end of my race by somebody* I had never met in person before; another swimmer who had read my posts on the forums and had commented on my the breaststroke videos I had posted. He gave me excellent, constructive feedback about my race, complimenting me on what I did well and suggesting what I could do better. It was great feedback! And, this was somebody who had to prepare for a breaststroke race of his own, in an upcoming heat. But, he took the time, without me knowing he was going to watch my race, to be there afterwards to coach me. :angel: And, he has done it at every Nationals we have both been to since. Even his wife was there to cheer me on at a couple of them!
THAT is what USMS is about and should be about; not catering to jerks like the one who was so rude to you.
*By the way, that 'somebody' was Allen Stark, who I like to affectionately call "King Frog", because he is the most humble non-egotistical person I have met (besides my husband who very intelligent and talented, but humble to a fault). (King Frog will be the last to tell you how good he is, but he broke the world record in 200m breaststroke at Auburn Nationals.)
So, K.F., now that I have embarrassed you, :bolt:
Yes, I have been the slowest swimmer in my event! The first time I tried the 400 yard IM in high school, I was 16 year old. Since there were so few people interested in the event, they combined all of us together, so I was swimming with the 14-15 year old girls, who all kicked my ass. A little humiliating, especially when I puked in the gutter afterward. But in hindsight its kind of a funny story, right? So to stay positive, use humor! You made it by the skin of your teeth and get to be the Rodney Dangerfield of the club (watch the movie Caddy Shack) Embrace it! Congrats.
That's really good to hear. :)
I know I could certainly use some help with my stroke! Since I don't have a coach, and never have, and don't really have any way to get video of my swimming.. I have no feedback!
So, being a self-taught, self-coached swimmer, I'm looking forward to meeting some other swimmers and getting some pointers on how I can improve.
And, yes, I can ask the coach of my Masters group for help, but I happen to be very shy and don't even know what to ask. :blush: I've talked to him about teaching me to dive and working on starts with me next week, so maybe when we do that I'll ask him for some help in other areas.
Ha ha! Thanks, Tim. :)
You know what's funny is that I don't even feel nervous about swimming until I start thinking 'what if I'm NOT last?'. I think that the idea of doing well adds just enough pressure that it makes me nervous. I'm pretty comfortable with the idea of getting my butt kicked.. I'm in it just to have fun and see how well I can do for me! :banana:
Was of the slower half in my events last weekend. In-fact, 4 seconds slower than my best in the 100, but made 1st place in all of them:). I love early season LCM.
Were you at the Athens meet, Steve? If so, check out the photo album I just posted on my profile. :D
Yep! Talked to you for a moment regarding the perceived extended length of long course "Are we there yet?". Definitely true, especially if you haven't seen long course all year. I thought I had a stroke after the 100 because my arms went numb lol.
Yep! Talked to you for a moment regarding the perceived extended length of long course "Are we there yet?". Definitely true, especially if you haven't seen long course all year. I thought I had a stroke after the 100 because my arms went numb lol.
I remember that moment, however, I can't picture you right now. Hey, send me a photo, so I can put you all together in my mind! :D I wish I would have known there was another Forumite in the house. "Debaru" was visiting me from Arizona and "PatrickJM" was there, as well. Wookiee was supposed to be there, but he was a no-show.
It would have been fun to get the Forumites together! :agree:
Was of the slower half in my events last weekend. In-fact, 4 seconds slower than my best in the 100, but made 1st place in all of them:). I love early season LCM.
My driver's license picture is probably posted on the Washington Municipal Court bulletin board now that I'm registered as a "super speeder" in the state of Georgia.:bitching:
$375 ticket issued by the fine highway patrol there. I was at a solid 68mph in the 55, but he cited me at 77mph adding another 9 mph!
