Thinking about doing my first meet in 2 years...but worried!
Former Member
I have moved to a new area (Arlington, VA), and I have gotten back into Masters Swimming training. I think I want to compete in an upcoming meet (Colonies Zone LCM Champs in Richmond on 6/22) but I am worried because my times are still WAY slow. I am thinking about competing in the 50 & 100 back and maybe 50 free.
My times are slow enough that I will probably finish not only LAST but DEAD LAST in the first heat. Any points that I get for my team (Arlington Masters - but no one from there is signed up yet) will be won by default. 1st-3rd place medals will be out of the question, unless I happen to win one because there is that few people competing in my age group. Which would be probably embarrassing given what my times will be.
Should I wait until the fall or even winter when my times are probably a lot faster? Or just compete anyway?
I participated in a swim meet at Pierce College (Calif) earlier this year. I went by myself. Had never been to this pool or swim meet before. Met some real nice people at the meet from the host team (South West Aquatic Masters). All were supportive of me when the found out I was there by myself.
What was even nicer was that I participated in the 200 Fly, and 400 IM. Some people did one or the other I was the only one who did both. The great part was that there was one heat of each for the 200 Fly, and the 400 IM. I had the slowest seed time of all the swimmers. When I saw that on the heat sheet I laughed so hard I gave myself a side ache. In any case the point for me was to complete these events without giving up and without getting DQ'd. The people I met at the swim meet cheered me on and the lane timers clapped for me too. It was hilarious. I had a great time.
At the end of the swim meet in my age group I received 1st place for the 200 Fly, and 2nd place for the 400 IM.
Go participate and have fun.
I participated in a swim meet at Pierce College (Calif) earlier this year. I went by myself. Had never been to this pool or swim meet before. Met some real nice people at the meet from the host team (South West Aquatic Masters). All were supportive of me when the found out I was there by myself.
What was even nicer was that I participated in the 200 Fly, and 400 IM. Some people did one or the other I was the only one who did both. The great part was that there was one heat of each for the 200 Fly, and the 400 IM. I had the slowest seed time of all the swimmers. When I saw that on the heat sheet I laughed so hard I gave myself a side ache. In any case the point for me was to complete these events without giving up and without getting DQ'd. The people I met at the swim meet cheered me on and the lane timers clapped for me too. It was hilarious. I had a great time.
At the end of the swim meet in my age group I received 1st place for the 200 Fly, and 2nd place for the 400 IM.
Go participate and have fun.
