Think Im ready!

RE: Think Im ready!

Former Member — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 14:41:43 GMT

Nothing like waking up at 2am thinking its time to get ready for the meet. Awesome! Almost to the venue. Time to get focused.

RE: Think Im ready!

Former Member — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 16:52:59 GMT

Thank you guys for all the advice. Went in last night for a out 40 minutes and did a few laps and starts and turns. This morning I went to the gym and did some walking on treadmill and about 25 minutes of stretching. Feel a lot looser than I did when I woke up! And watch to figure out what the starter's whistle blasts mean, too.

RE: Think Im ready!

Former Member — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 11:16:00 GMT

Oh crap. I actually never tried a wall touch at the finish of a back in pract. Shoot guess do that In warm up

RE: Think Im ready!

Bill Sive — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 07:57:54 GMT

Earlier this year I was trying different things with my starts. One meet I did all pool starts. Another meet I did all my starts from the deck. I just wanted to see how much, if any I would gain/lose by various starting methods. Today after my workout I did starts for about 15 minutes. I included backstroke starts too. Tomorrow, as I call it, the "Big Bang (Theory) Pentathlon". (CalTech in Pasadena, CA). Swim With Mike swimwithmike.org/.../

RE: Think Im ready!

__steve__ — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 06:43:06 GMT

Just don't touch the timer pad with your head

RE: Think Im ready!

Glenn — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 05:37:22 GMT

Maybe this was covered in an earlier post, if not be sure you know the number of strokes from the flags to the wall in backstroke. For me three if I am going into a turn and four at the finish.

RE: Think Im ready!

__steve__ — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 03:59:42 GMT

When the heat sheets are up a good idea is to make a timeline by adding the faster (cusion factor) seeds up and highlight the heats you're in. Then make a schedule of warmups, cooldowns, and when you need to be suited up and ready. As mentioned before, I get a sharpie and tattoo my arm with each event#, heat and lane (6 7 3 = event 6, heat 7, lane 3) Good luck and take it easy

RE: Think Im ready!

mj2345 — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 12:54:47 GMT

Good Luck! I may or may not be swimming once I get there, we'll see how the injury is progressing, I'll be cheering you on if I'm not in your heats. Another tip, especially for Backstroke starts, they may open a lane during warmup for starts only, Try one backstroke start just to get the feel of the wall, there's no need to take 10 practice starts. Oh yeah, at my first meet i didn't realize you can not curl your toes over the edge of the gutter for backstroke starts, until about two minutes be fore my race. Feet must be on the wall and underwater. Look forward to meeting you! Mike

RE: Think Im ready!

Former Member — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 11:39:23 GMT

swimark has a very good point above - I too was surprised how fast they move the heats along. You can take a pen and write your heat and lane on your hand or arm for quick reference.

RE: Think Im ready!

mlabresh — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 10:35:48 GMT

Good luck and have fun! :applaud: :banana:

RE: Think Im ready!

Jimbosback — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 09:36:58 GMT

swimark has a very good point above - I too was surprised how fast they move the heats along. You can take a pen and write your heat and lane on your hand or arm for quick reference. And watch to figure out what the starter's whistle blasts mean, too.

RE: Think Im ready!

Former Member — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 09:03:33 GMT

Just wanted to wish you good luck!! Have fun on Sunday. :banana:

RE: Think Im ready!

Former Member — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 08:31:55 GMT

brought my stuff with me to go after work.... except for my cap.... oh well.... I'm sure the cap is good for a 5 second reduction on a 50.

RE: Think Im ready!

Former Member — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 07:17:27 GMT

Cool man! Look forward to seeing you there. I currently have too much belly to get my feet up to the edge anyways on the starts!!! I tried doing some last night and figured better to just get into the water cleanly than slipping and getting no push at all! Going to go for a light swim tonight after work and do a few turns etc... take tomorrow off (pool closed for districts)... Then head up on Sunday. Excited and nervous! Thanks everyone. PS. I don't have really long hair but should I wear a cap? I have yet to try one. Good Luck! I may or may not be swimming once I get there, we'll see how the injury is progressing, I'll be cheering you on if I'm not in your heats. Another tip, especially for Backstroke starts, they may open a lane during warmup for starts only, Try one backstroke start just to get the feel of the wall, there's no need to take 10 practice starts. Oh yeah, at my first meet i didn't realize you can not curl your toes over the edge of the gutter for backstroke starts, until about two minutes be fore my race. Feet must be on the wall and underwater. Look forward to meeting you! Mike

RE: Think Im ready!

swimark — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 05:46:54 GMT

Best of luck! I just got back into the swim thing myself and one thing that surprised me was how fast they move the events along. As soon as one heat is over, the next set of swimmers are on the blocks ready to go. Be sure to get to the blocks a heat or two early especially if you are doing sprints. The starter wont wait for you! This was a big change for me from when I swam in high school back in the 80's. Also trying to remember heat and lane numbers is always fun when you are scrambling to get to the blocks. If its an option have a family member or friend get a video of your races... good for a Monday morning (or forum) review. Oh and have fun! I'm sure you will do great.

RE: Think Im ready!

Atlantic — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 03:09:48 GMT

Have fun! Try a cap while you swim tonight and see if you like it. You'll feel a lot more streamlined and will be ready to race! :)

RE: Think Im ready!

knelson — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 01:50:19 GMT

Tip: if time and space allow, cool down after each swim. I did not do this right for my first meet, and I was stiff and sore for days, Even though I swam all 50s. Great advice and something a new swimmer might not know! Yes, if there's an area for warm ups/warm downs, definitely get in immediately after each swim and swim easy for at least a few minutes until your heart rate returns close to normal. This will help with your later swims in the meet--and as Jimbo said--will help with soreness in the days following the meet.

RE: Think Im ready!

Bill Sive — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:52:36 GMT

Good luck. Have fun and enjoy yourself. Report back your experience.

RE: Think Im ready!

rxleakem — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:07:11 GMT

Be sure to report back on all the excitement! Swim fast! :thewave:

RE: Think Im ready!

Jimbosback — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:06:05 GMT

Good luck! Tip: if time and space allow, cool down after each swim. I did not do this right for my first meet, and I was stiff and sore for days, Even though I swam all 50s.

RE: Think Im ready!

mcnair — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:02:06 GMT

Absolutely; at this point, just have fun with it! Good luck!

RE: Think Im ready!

Elaine Krugman — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 10:17:07 GMT

:cheerleader:Good luck!