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
Thank you, I suspect that there a lot of things that I forgot though. The officials, some basic rules (DQed for touching wrong, how can THAT happen), the awards (high-point!?), the social dinners, and so on. I bet that some swimmers in their first year of meets would have more to add. The strangeness would be fresh in their minds!
Swim fast,
Greg
Thank you, I suspect that there a lot of things that I forgot though. The officials, some basic rules (DQed for touching wrong, how can THAT happen), the awards (high-point!?), the social dinners, and so on. I bet that some swimmers in their first year of meets would have more to add. The strangeness would be fresh in their minds!
Swim fast,
Greg
