Thank you everyone here that has provided advice to me and others as I approach my first meet Sunday. I did some light warm up. Some med pace 50s then a few 25's. and ended with getting up on the blocks and doing some free back and *** starts. I noted I dropped about 3 sec on 25's on the br w the blocks and was about 2-3 on the fr. Excited for Sunday!!
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.
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.
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.
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
