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?
Parents
Former Member
:) I learned to swim 2 years ago at 38, and just competed in my first ever meet last Sunday. I was hesitant also, but really had a good time. Everyone is very encouraging. Some people do starts in the water, some off the blocks. There are all kinds of turns, some people wear goggles, some not. I was very impressed with the 83 year old woman who did the 500 free. Her form was not great, her time was slow, but she did it and even went off the block. I missed my heat in the 50 back(whoops bad as an 8 year old), and everyone lauged with me and they got me in an empty lane. I think you will do better time wise than you think. I had goal times in my mind when I swam and I surpassed all of them. I was still slow, but I felt like I had accomplished something. There were some 30 something women there who had 50 times that were over a minute and it did not bother them. They went out, swam there races and had a good time. Just go for it and do it for yourself!
:) I learned to swim 2 years ago at 38, and just competed in my first ever meet last Sunday. I was hesitant also, but really had a good time. Everyone is very encouraging. Some people do starts in the water, some off the blocks. There are all kinds of turns, some people wear goggles, some not. I was very impressed with the 83 year old woman who did the 500 free. Her form was not great, her time was slow, but she did it and even went off the block. I missed my heat in the 50 back(whoops bad as an 8 year old), and everyone lauged with me and they got me in an empty lane. I think you will do better time wise than you think. I had goal times in my mind when I swam and I surpassed all of them. I was still slow, but I felt like I had accomplished something. There were some 30 something women there who had 50 times that were over a minute and it did not bother them. They went out, swam there races and had a good time. Just go for it and do it for yourself!
