I feel a little like our old friend Ion Beza. He always complains about the age groups that he swam in and how unfair it is. Anyway, I saw the NT's for my age group and in the 100's there were 2 second drops from last year and in the 200's 4 seconds drop. Anyway, it drives home on how medicroe I am and worst in my middle age than my youth. Granted, I can swim butterfly better than last year but the best stroke breaststroke hasn't improved since last summer. Anyone else feel the same way. I know that in your middle years swimming should be more of an exercise and I don't want the shoulder operations or knee prpblems that some master swimmers had.
Former Member
Originally posted by dorothyrd
OK, so here is my question. How is it looked upon at Nationals when someone like me shows up to swim? I have to admit, I AM intimidated by these people. Not at regular meets, but Nationals sounds like a whole different animal!
That said, I may or may not go. Have not decided, I am close enough it would be easy, I know people who are going, and one 60 year old friend could probably really use my support, so I might go just to be there for her.
I do try to just try to improve my own times, my own strokes and try new things. I am looking at doing a 400 IM and 100 fly in my next meet. For someone who could not swim a 25 4 years ago, that is OK!
All you have to do is drop your hang ups. I will tellyou somthing about my self. Maybe that will help. I was at the last national at A.S.U. in az. I did three swims 1650-500 200 Free. I was in the 65-69 Age. But I am A left leg amputee above the knee. I went out on my crutches. and finished all my events. But what i liked about the nationals, is that no body treat me any different thanany one else. I was just one of the boys or men. I felt great about that . So go out and swim any meet you like , because all masters are gtreat people. Have happy new year and compete. DOM. A
One of my posts seemed to disappear last night. Must not of sent it right.
Indy is attractive because I can go for a mimimun cost. With children swimming, it is hard to take the time for myself.
When you look at past results it does not look like a lot of slow swimmers go, but it is nice to hear that there will be some there, and that it will be a fun time!
Now I have to get to a meet to get some times!
Well, I guess there are two ways to look at this. Are you a big fish in a little pond, uh pool, or a little fish in a big pool? I'm slow compared to NQT, but in my home pool I'm faster than any woman my age. LOL... because there is no other woman my age or older who does more than the elementary backstroke. But, you know what? I enjoy that... I get a lot of attention and encouragement from everyone. When one of the guards/senior boy on the swim team, makes statements like "your breaststroke is as good as mine," or "your free is looking great," or "your fly is REALLY starting to ROCK!" that to me is as good as any blue ribbon or trophy!
Pretty cool Dominick.
I watched a young lady with one leg set a 100 back record last summer in Chicago for disability games. They stopped the meet and made an announcement honoring her. She was really fast too.
I think when I get to your age it will be easier to compete, not as many family obligations. From what I have seen, chlorine seems to be a very good perservative, so I intend to keep swimming as long as I can!!
I 100 % agree with Ken...
I swam in four Nationals (2 SCY-2 LCM)....and everyone was great and supportive. From the slow to the fast and everywhere in between, every swimmer was very nice.
Each National was a memorable experience….very memorable…..
You guys are great, you almost have me talked into it, if I can work the money and family angle. I am not getting up at 4am and driving over like I did for GRIN. Definately not good for swimming.
Just have to pick 3 events to get times in and go from there!
My team is hosting the 2005 LCM nationals, in Mission Viejo California.
We'd love to have you all come down here.
The more the merrier!
Just think, among other things, what a treat it would be to actually meet some people that we converse with in here so often.
I'm going to Indy nationals, and to Savannah, whether I make the NQT's or not. I think just the experience of it all is well worth it.
My time in masters is short, less than a year... So far, I haven't felt snubbed by anyone in the organization, officials, organizers or swimmers. it's been a very positive experience.
The fun of Nationals is just being there to see all the swims. While I like seeing the fast times, I enjoy seeing the other swimmers doing their best. I consider myself one of those doing my best, even though I can make a couple of the NQT's (most are impossible for me - I can't swim back or *** and I'm a sprinter). In fact, a couple of my events are still too close together, for me anyway, and I'm sure if Nats was reserved for only the elite it would be too fast of a meet for top quality swims. I've charished the two Nationals I've attended thus far and am looking forward to Indy this spring (I guess I better get back into training mode soon as April is fast approaching).
