Thanks to everyone who replied to my post requesting info on participating in my first meet. Now, I have one more question: how do I choose which events to enter? I am currently a VERY SLOW swimmer. My 50 free times are on par with my teammates' 100 frees. My 200 free takes nearly four minutes, though competitive times in my age group are in the realm of 2:30 - 2:50. You get the picture. My dead grandmother can swim faster than me!
Despite my severe lack of speed, I have been strongly encouraged to participate in an upcoming meet. How do I choose an event since I am bad at everything? (Don't tell me to chose an event that I'd enjoy; I have no idea what that might be.)
Any suggestions?
Parents
Former Member
While everyone's comments on thing to watch to prevent being DQ'd is great, I think Greg's advice is one of the best for newcomers to competing, such as me. My coach has given me similar information as Greg's for entering events, especially 50-yard ones. Another thing you might want to do is to check with your coach and spend some time "fine tuning" your chosen events.
There was one thing one of my teammates got DQ'd for: using the wrong turn for a particular stroke! Being tired may well have contributed to that one!
Don't get upset about your speed. As I see it, it will only get better and it takes time, to be sure. The very fact that you have made a decision to compete means you are doing something many swimmers won't do ... compete.
Remember the waiter in Alka-Seltzer commercial? He said, "Try it, you'll like it!" You will.
All the best to you!
While everyone's comments on thing to watch to prevent being DQ'd is great, I think Greg's advice is one of the best for newcomers to competing, such as me. My coach has given me similar information as Greg's for entering events, especially 50-yard ones. Another thing you might want to do is to check with your coach and spend some time "fine tuning" your chosen events.
There was one thing one of my teammates got DQ'd for: using the wrong turn for a particular stroke! Being tired may well have contributed to that one!
Don't get upset about your speed. As I see it, it will only get better and it takes time, to be sure. The very fact that you have made a decision to compete means you are doing something many swimmers won't do ... compete.
Remember the waiter in Alka-Seltzer commercial? He said, "Try it, you'll like it!" You will.
All the best to you!
