I am scheduled to race in my first-ever meet very soon. I am new to swimming and am very, very slow (to put it mildddly) and have the burden of falling into one of the most competitive age classification. Nonetheless, I am being encouraged to participate (who knows why).
There are no meets in my area before the one in which I am supposed to participate so I can't get a feeling for what to expect. Can someone please give me the lowdown? As likely the slowest swimmer (I'm not being self-deprecating, just realistic) will I be scorned? How embassassing will it be to finish say a 50 Free after the others in my heat have already gotten out of the pool? (My 50 free is on par with most other swimmers' 100 free. Ugh.)
Also, I understand that at some meets, the goal is to rack up team points for a team or workout group title. Can I contriibute to this in any way (remember, I'm the slowest swimmer in the pool)? Should I simply put my foot down and refuse to "race" -- waiting until next year when I will (presumable) be more prepared?
Swimming is not necessarily about who is the fastest, or how you contribute to team points.
Steps in any athletic hobby:
1) Have fun
2) Have fun while staying healthy
3) Have fun while competing, improving, and setting Personal Bests
4) Have fun while becoming active in the community, and participating at a regional/national level as a part of a team.
5) Have fun while training for peak performance and competition at an elite level.
Is is easy to pick apart the levels I described, but the main point is (hopefully) clear; no matter what level of commitment you are comfortable with, make sure you are having fun. Be comfortable with the commitment you make. You will stick with it longer.
Be aware others have a different level of commitment - they have fun competing and they believe other people will too. While this is slightly ego-centric, their intentions are good. Just remind them you are happy to swim at the level you do. There is a guy I swim with who beats my pants off, but never competes. He is happy as a fitness swimmer.
Your first meet! I get (good) butterflies before every meet. But I do remind myself of one thing before I step on the block - This to me is fun and challenging and I swim for no one else but myself. By the end of the race, I want to swim again.
HTH,
Chris
Swimming is not necessarily about who is the fastest, or how you contribute to team points.
Steps in any athletic hobby:
1) Have fun
2) Have fun while staying healthy
3) Have fun while competing, improving, and setting Personal Bests
4) Have fun while becoming active in the community, and participating at a regional/national level as a part of a team.
5) Have fun while training for peak performance and competition at an elite level.
Is is easy to pick apart the levels I described, but the main point is (hopefully) clear; no matter what level of commitment you are comfortable with, make sure you are having fun. Be comfortable with the commitment you make. You will stick with it longer.
Be aware others have a different level of commitment - they have fun competing and they believe other people will too. While this is slightly ego-centric, their intentions are good. Just remind them you are happy to swim at the level you do. There is a guy I swim with who beats my pants off, but never competes. He is happy as a fitness swimmer.
Your first meet! I get (good) butterflies before every meet. But I do remind myself of one thing before I step on the block - This to me is fun and challenging and I swim for no one else but myself. By the end of the race, I want to swim again.
HTH,
Chris
