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?
it is masters, which you (not your mommy and daddy) are now paying for, so you can swim whatever you want! you can certainly ask for your coach's input on events, but it's masters, so you get to decide what you want to swim! some former swimmers stick with their tried and true events, and others try new/off events and you may feel like switching around during your masters swim career and it's all good!
that said, are you eyeing certain events for spring nationals? then you probably want to get a few races of those events under your belt before then. local masters meets are way more casual than age group/high school (my former level)/ college; everyone is encouraging and supportive. just remember you're doing this for yourself, for fun/fitness/the challenge, so there's no reason to pressure yourself.
at nationals, there's so many heats of each event, that recovery time between events is less of an issue. but at local meets, depending on attendance, there could be very little time between your events, so look at the order of events and plan accordingly--which events are you really targeting to do well in, and which are you considering "bonus" swims?
many local masters meets are seeded by time only, so your heat may be mixed men and women and ages. our local masters meets also tend to have single meet entry fee, in which case you can still decide to scratch events at the meet, without feeling guilty! :D
you say that you have a lot of choices for meets, so: which meet dates work for your family/work schedule? would you have to travel for the meet? are you familiar with the pool? is it known as a fast pool? are there meets that are "traditional" that other members of your team go to? what is the expected level of competiton for the meet? what level of competition are you looking for, for your "first meet back"? what is the order of events for the meet, and how well does it fit your training/racing plan?
finally, your team/coach may or may not run a quasi organized warmup and start practice at the meet. i suggest that you be prepared to do your own warmup and practice starts. good luck!
it is masters, which you (not your mommy and daddy) are now paying for, so you can swim whatever you want! you can certainly ask for your coach's input on events, but it's masters, so you get to decide what you want to swim! some former swimmers stick with their tried and true events, and others try new/off events and you may feel like switching around during your masters swim career and it's all good!
that said, are you eyeing certain events for spring nationals? then you probably want to get a few races of those events under your belt before then. local masters meets are way more casual than age group/high school (my former level)/ college; everyone is encouraging and supportive. just remember you're doing this for yourself, for fun/fitness/the challenge, so there's no reason to pressure yourself.
at nationals, there's so many heats of each event, that recovery time between events is less of an issue. but at local meets, depending on attendance, there could be very little time between your events, so look at the order of events and plan accordingly--which events are you really targeting to do well in, and which are you considering "bonus" swims?
many local masters meets are seeded by time only, so your heat may be mixed men and women and ages. our local masters meets also tend to have single meet entry fee, in which case you can still decide to scratch events at the meet, without feeling guilty! :D
you say that you have a lot of choices for meets, so: which meet dates work for your family/work schedule? would you have to travel for the meet? are you familiar with the pool? is it known as a fast pool? are there meets that are "traditional" that other members of your team go to? what is the expected level of competiton for the meet? what level of competition are you looking for, for your "first meet back"? what is the order of events for the meet, and how well does it fit your training/racing plan?
finally, your team/coach may or may not run a quasi organized warmup and start practice at the meet. i suggest that you be prepared to do your own warmup and practice starts. good luck!
