This has probably been covered before, and I know what the "organization" would say, but I want the truth from those of you that are serious members. If I showed up, a 29 year-old mom of three who is about 30 lbs overweight but was once a good swimmer and has continued lap swimming all these years since high-school and would take her committment seriously, to your practice and wanted to join, how would you feel? What if you had to pass me by a few times because I slowed you down? But...at the same time you saw me working hard in my ability and pushing myself farther and fasther each day - would you snicker behind my back, would others? Should I continue swimming on my own and trying to get in shape before I join?
It is ok to be honest. I would tell you the truth. And please, don't yell at me for worrying about what others think.
Thanks everyone!
Parents
Former Member
Nicole,
The main point of "C'mon down!" has been covered almost to death. Let me add a couple of minor themes in harmony.
First, should you try to get "in shape" on your own before joining? If you don't think you are "in shape" (whatever standard you have set for yourself) now, you will never get there on your own. The primary obstacle for adults to following a regular exercise program is not age, time/responsibilities, injury or cost; it's boredom. If after a regular schedule of lap swimming you have not reached that standard, more of the same on your own will get you no closer. Eventually, you will get bored with same old/same old, and quit, falsely thinking you are a failure. BALONEY!!!!! Joining a Masters teams is the most effective means (and to be blunt, the only realistic means for the vast majority of people) of reaching whatever goals you set for yourself.
On the other hand, suppose you are one of those exceedingly rare, highly motivated individuals who can stick with a program and progressively challenge yourself such that you get substantially faster working on your own. Even if you have to stop after each 25 yard lap, your intensity will glow with such incandescence that you will be welcomed as an inspiration on any masters team I have ever encountered. Three examples: first, some of the most admired swimmers on my current masters team are the ones who could barely finish a lap when they started, but stayed on the team and are demonstrably better now. (BTW, these people now have no clue how fast you were way back when. Jump in now when you are fat, slow and sloppy; let 'em think that you are setting a new PR every time you swim something just a hair faster than before, and soak-up the compliments on how far you have come.) Second, on my college water polo team, one of the most admired players was a guy who showed up one day able to swim one, maybe two laps before he had to stop. But, he stuck with it, got better, and even though he was still the slowest guy on the team, he had other strengths to his game and contributed. Third, let's just skip over to the highest level of competition in the swimming world--the Olympic Games. Remember Eric the Eel and Paula the Pirahna? Where they greeted with snickers? I seem to recall standing ovations and people asking them for their autographs like they were Ian Thorpe or Inge de Bruin.
Second, as my title suggests (if you know a little French) the "organization" is us. The reason why you know what "the organization" would say is that it represents the near unanimous opinion of its individual members. (And the ones who would disagree are jerks.) Similarly, your "team" is you and the other swimmers in the pool with you. WE decide what USMS will look like. You and your teammates decide how you team will operate. YOU decide what part of any workout is appropriate for you and whether you need to modify it. This is not age group, high school or college. No coach, not even the ones who own and operate their team as a privately held business, can yell at you like you are a little kid. Coaches like that don't stay in masters swimming long. Either the team's BoD fires them, or if they can't, their swimmers vote with their feet (and take their membership fees with them). So get your USMS Card; it's mostly for liability insurance and to keep the magazine running. Join your local team, and guess what? You're as much of a member as anyone else.
Welcome to the jungle. Grab a vine and swing on in.
Matt
Nicole,
The main point of "C'mon down!" has been covered almost to death. Let me add a couple of minor themes in harmony.
First, should you try to get "in shape" on your own before joining? If you don't think you are "in shape" (whatever standard you have set for yourself) now, you will never get there on your own. The primary obstacle for adults to following a regular exercise program is not age, time/responsibilities, injury or cost; it's boredom. If after a regular schedule of lap swimming you have not reached that standard, more of the same on your own will get you no closer. Eventually, you will get bored with same old/same old, and quit, falsely thinking you are a failure. BALONEY!!!!! Joining a Masters teams is the most effective means (and to be blunt, the only realistic means for the vast majority of people) of reaching whatever goals you set for yourself.
On the other hand, suppose you are one of those exceedingly rare, highly motivated individuals who can stick with a program and progressively challenge yourself such that you get substantially faster working on your own. Even if you have to stop after each 25 yard lap, your intensity will glow with such incandescence that you will be welcomed as an inspiration on any masters team I have ever encountered. Three examples: first, some of the most admired swimmers on my current masters team are the ones who could barely finish a lap when they started, but stayed on the team and are demonstrably better now. (BTW, these people now have no clue how fast you were way back when. Jump in now when you are fat, slow and sloppy; let 'em think that you are setting a new PR every time you swim something just a hair faster than before, and soak-up the compliments on how far you have come.) Second, on my college water polo team, one of the most admired players was a guy who showed up one day able to swim one, maybe two laps before he had to stop. But, he stuck with it, got better, and even though he was still the slowest guy on the team, he had other strengths to his game and contributed. Third, let's just skip over to the highest level of competition in the swimming world--the Olympic Games. Remember Eric the Eel and Paula the Pirahna? Where they greeted with snickers? I seem to recall standing ovations and people asking them for their autographs like they were Ian Thorpe or Inge de Bruin.
Second, as my title suggests (if you know a little French) the "organization" is us. The reason why you know what "the organization" would say is that it represents the near unanimous opinion of its individual members. (And the ones who would disagree are jerks.) Similarly, your "team" is you and the other swimmers in the pool with you. WE decide what USMS will look like. You and your teammates decide how you team will operate. YOU decide what part of any workout is appropriate for you and whether you need to modify it. This is not age group, high school or college. No coach, not even the ones who own and operate their team as a privately held business, can yell at you like you are a little kid. Coaches like that don't stay in masters swimming long. Either the team's BoD fires them, or if they can't, their swimmers vote with their feet (and take their membership fees with them). So get your USMS Card; it's mostly for liability insurance and to keep the magazine running. Join your local team, and guess what? You're as much of a member as anyone else.
Welcome to the jungle. Grab a vine and swing on in.
Matt
