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
lol I'm totally gonna be banned for bringing back such old posts.
But I would like to comment on this, anyways!
I'm only 19 now, and started swimming when I was 16. So I was in a very competitive age group, with people swimming 100 free in the lower 50's. My best time was a 1:16...lol
The first time I did a 100 free I got a 1:47. My goggles came off slightly, I got a cramp...it was a MESS. HORRIBLE. I wish no such pain on any other human being. But I did it. And I loved it. And people patted me on the back and were clapping when I finished. They loved the fact that I made the effort. I set aside the fact that I was gonna lose by almost a minute, and just had fun and just said "It's just another practice!" Eventually, like I said, I got it down to 1:16 and actually BEAT ONE PERSON in free style! WOO! In freestyle relays, I kicked butt. I forget my times but I was a very fast sprinter for the 50's.
I avoided backstroke like the plague. I couldn't go straight. I'd bump into the lines ALL THE TIME. I'd be like a snake zig-zagging along... But, much like free style, I actually started beating people in backstroke and it became one of my better events!
I remember the butterflies of my first meet (and heck...EVERY meet...). That extreme nervousness. What if you lose? Badly?! Or get DQ'd? Make some silly mistake? All those things went through my mind. Eventually everything but the "What if I lose?" went away. :) The butterflies were part of the whole experience. And it was all wonderful. Because regardless of how afraid I was of stepping up onto those blocks in front of all my friends in high school in my little speedo knowing I'll be the slowest one, I DID IT. And *I FELT GREAT!!!* I was on top of the world! I was out there every day after school at the practices. I was up early on the weekends swimming. I was in shape. I was having fun. Life was great.
Swim meets are probably one of the greatest things I've ever experienced in life.
lol I'm totally gonna be banned for bringing back such old posts.
But I would like to comment on this, anyways!
I'm only 19 now, and started swimming when I was 16. So I was in a very competitive age group, with people swimming 100 free in the lower 50's. My best time was a 1:16...lol
The first time I did a 100 free I got a 1:47. My goggles came off slightly, I got a cramp...it was a MESS. HORRIBLE. I wish no such pain on any other human being. But I did it. And I loved it. And people patted me on the back and were clapping when I finished. They loved the fact that I made the effort. I set aside the fact that I was gonna lose by almost a minute, and just had fun and just said "It's just another practice!" Eventually, like I said, I got it down to 1:16 and actually BEAT ONE PERSON in free style! WOO! In freestyle relays, I kicked butt. I forget my times but I was a very fast sprinter for the 50's.
I avoided backstroke like the plague. I couldn't go straight. I'd bump into the lines ALL THE TIME. I'd be like a snake zig-zagging along... But, much like free style, I actually started beating people in backstroke and it became one of my better events!
I remember the butterflies of my first meet (and heck...EVERY meet...). That extreme nervousness. What if you lose? Badly?! Or get DQ'd? Make some silly mistake? All those things went through my mind. Eventually everything but the "What if I lose?" went away. :) The butterflies were part of the whole experience. And it was all wonderful. Because regardless of how afraid I was of stepping up onto those blocks in front of all my friends in high school in my little speedo knowing I'll be the slowest one, I DID IT. And *I FELT GREAT!!!* I was on top of the world! I was out there every day after school at the practices. I was up early on the weekends swimming. I was in shape. I was having fun. Life was great.
Swim meets are probably one of the greatest things I've ever experienced in life.
