Any thoughts? From my perspective, former swimmer, back for about a month, I'd REALLY like to swim a few meets. How did you choose? When were you ready? How did you choose events? How did it go?
Also, maybe some commentary on those who have no competitive swimming background. How did you prepare?
I have no competitive swimming background experience. I'm a self-taught swimmer and joined Masters about a year ago. My kids' coach was also kind enough to let me swim with the age group team in the intermediates practice over the summer.
I decided last spring to do summer Nationals in Omaha. It was such a cool opportunity to be able to swim in the Olympic Trials pool and I didn't want to pass it up! It was my first meet ever. I went into it knowing that I would be last in my races and was in it more for the experience than anything else. I would have loved to have a couple 'warm up meets' before hand, but there just aren't many (if any...) local meets for me to go to.
As far as how I swam in Omaha, it was a terrible meet. But it was awesome to be allowed to come and swim there anyway and I'm glad I took advantage of the opportunity.
A couple weeks after Nationals, I had my second meet. It was a local (the only that I know of) meet and was WAY fun. I'm SO glad I did it! I entered 4 events but ended up swimming 7 (was asked to join 3 relay teams) and had a blast meeting swimmers from all over our state (though none of the swimmers from my Masters group were there).
I do hope to find more meets to participate in this year. As far as how to prepare for that first meet - just do what you can. Work out with your Masters group, ask your coach to help you fine tune your stroke. Get out there and do your best, but make sure your goals are reasonable! And, most importantly, HAVE FUN! :D
I have no competitive swimming background experience. I'm a self-taught swimmer and joined Masters about a year ago. My kids' coach was also kind enough to let me swim with the age group team in the intermediates practice over the summer.
I decided last spring to do summer Nationals in Omaha. It was such a cool opportunity to be able to swim in the Olympic Trials pool and I didn't want to pass it up! It was my first meet ever. I went into it knowing that I would be last in my races and was in it more for the experience than anything else. I would have loved to have a couple 'warm up meets' before hand, but there just aren't many (if any...) local meets for me to go to.
As far as how I swam in Omaha, it was a terrible meet. But it was awesome to be allowed to come and swim there anyway and I'm glad I took advantage of the opportunity.
A couple weeks after Nationals, I had my second meet. It was a local (the only that I know of) meet and was WAY fun. I'm SO glad I did it! I entered 4 events but ended up swimming 7 (was asked to join 3 relay teams) and had a blast meeting swimmers from all over our state (though none of the swimmers from my Masters group were there).
I do hope to find more meets to participate in this year. As far as how to prepare for that first meet - just do what you can. Work out with your Masters group, ask your coach to help you fine tune your stroke. Get out there and do your best, but make sure your goals are reasonable! And, most importantly, HAVE FUN! :D
