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
Swimmer Wannabe - Go for it! You are not alone. I'm entering my 1st competition at the end of next month and although I have a decent freestyle, I've only just started learning the flip turn and have yet to jump off the block. Hope to make good progress by competition, but I'll compete no matter what. From the many contributors on this board, it's clear ALL are welcome at competition. To back up Tom's point, here's a quote by Coach *** Jochums I read in the excellent book Gold in the Water that I now keep posted on my fridge as a daily inspiration. I thought it would be worth mentioning in this thread:
“Those who strive, those who leave nothing on the table, those who will take the risk, will all be winners.
Life is truly sweeter for those who truly live it.
The world belongs, and will always belong, to the people who participate.
Those who stand on the outside, who never risk, who never fail, cannot now, or will they ever, understand the beauty of each breath of life.
So don’t feel sorry for those who fail, feel sorry for the majority that never participate.
They’ll just never understand, let alone feel, all that life can and should be.”
Dan
Swimmer Wannabe - Go for it! You are not alone. I'm entering my 1st competition at the end of next month and although I have a decent freestyle, I've only just started learning the flip turn and have yet to jump off the block. Hope to make good progress by competition, but I'll compete no matter what. From the many contributors on this board, it's clear ALL are welcome at competition. To back up Tom's point, here's a quote by Coach *** Jochums I read in the excellent book Gold in the Water that I now keep posted on my fridge as a daily inspiration. I thought it would be worth mentioning in this thread:
“Those who strive, those who leave nothing on the table, those who will take the risk, will all be winners.
Life is truly sweeter for those who truly live it.
The world belongs, and will always belong, to the people who participate.
Those who stand on the outside, who never risk, who never fail, cannot now, or will they ever, understand the beauty of each breath of life.
So don’t feel sorry for those who fail, feel sorry for the majority that never participate.
They’ll just never understand, let alone feel, all that life can and should be.”
Dan
