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?
Hello to all,
I think this is an excellent thread, since so many people seem to be afraid to take the plunge and get started.
As a few others said too, I am by far not the fastest person in the pool. Before my first meet, I thought I'd be the slowest, but was surprised that I was not. There are people of all ages, backgrounds, and swimming skills who participate in meets, and it is always a pleasant experience.
What surprised me most from my first meet was that I actually placed in some events. I think I only did 3 events...it was a Long Course Meters meet, and I did the 100 & 200 Free, and 100 ***. They give team points to the top 8 places in each age group/event, and for some events (such as ***), it can be a matter that few others compete.
There are usually some relays towards the end of the day too. Participating in team relays is probably the most fun I've had swimming. I've been both the slowest and fastest person in the group, and no one has ever complained that I didn't try hard enough.
Good luck with the meet, if you do it. Think of it as a way to get your times for those events, and improve on them for the next time.
Tim Murphy
Hello to all,
I think this is an excellent thread, since so many people seem to be afraid to take the plunge and get started.
As a few others said too, I am by far not the fastest person in the pool. Before my first meet, I thought I'd be the slowest, but was surprised that I was not. There are people of all ages, backgrounds, and swimming skills who participate in meets, and it is always a pleasant experience.
What surprised me most from my first meet was that I actually placed in some events. I think I only did 3 events...it was a Long Course Meters meet, and I did the 100 & 200 Free, and 100 ***. They give team points to the top 8 places in each age group/event, and for some events (such as ***), it can be a matter that few others compete.
There are usually some relays towards the end of the day too. Participating in team relays is probably the most fun I've had swimming. I've been both the slowest and fastest person in the group, and no one has ever complained that I didn't try hard enough.
Good luck with the meet, if you do it. Think of it as a way to get your times for those events, and improve on them for the next time.
Tim Murphy
