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
When I was 16 and we lived in Tucson, our team went to Southern California back in 1965. I remember swimming in a 20 yard pool. Of course I had bad turns back then, and bad starts. I took my weaknesses and made them strengths. That makes up for my loss of my main strength back then, endurance.
My first masters meet my goggles came down around my mouth, being blind as a bat made it worse. So for the last 18 years I have worn my goggles glued to my swim cap. Now after laser surgey I can see.
Of course back in 1965 we went to swedish smorgasborgs and pigged out, lots of sugar for energy. Salt tablets at the meets went with candy bars. Can you spell BONK!!!!!
I still get MAJOR butterflies when they anounce my main events (breaststroke), no problem at all with the other strokes. That makes it a pleasure to swim them as I put no pressure on myself.
Sure glad we made it past out childhood and are now Masters swimmers.:) :) The nice thing is we are all winners for competing.
Wayne
When I was 16 and we lived in Tucson, our team went to Southern California back in 1965. I remember swimming in a 20 yard pool. Of course I had bad turns back then, and bad starts. I took my weaknesses and made them strengths. That makes up for my loss of my main strength back then, endurance.
My first masters meet my goggles came down around my mouth, being blind as a bat made it worse. So for the last 18 years I have worn my goggles glued to my swim cap. Now after laser surgey I can see.
Of course back in 1965 we went to swedish smorgasborgs and pigged out, lots of sugar for energy. Salt tablets at the meets went with candy bars. Can you spell BONK!!!!!
I still get MAJOR butterflies when they anounce my main events (breaststroke), no problem at all with the other strokes. That makes it a pleasure to swim them as I put no pressure on myself.
Sure glad we made it past out childhood and are now Masters swimmers.:) :) The nice thing is we are all winners for competing.
Wayne
