I am new to swimming just started swimming seriously last year (I'm 33). I have never competed. I decided to join USMS and try a meet this year just to give myself something to work towards. I find the rules a bit overwhelming and I'm not fast at all. I just got my front crawl lap under 1 minute. I practice 1 hour 3 times per week. I have taken a few classes including a TI based class which really helped me.
My question is, at my age and with my experience how should I prepare to go to my first meet? Not just skill wise but to learn the rules and not make a total fool out of myself. :) Also, how friendly are the local or regional meets? Will my team be upset if I come in last? How competitive is it really?
Thank you!
Make sure you go to a meet with some teammates. The experienced ones can give you advice, the newer ones sympathy. :cool:
If you are very concerned about starts, then you can start from the side. (Some people are self conscious, but you have to weigh a tiny social pain versus the possibility of doing a belly-flopper. :eek: )
Of course, just because you can start from the pool, doesn't mean you shouldn't be working towards a good block start. ;)
Make sure you go to a meet with some teammates. The experienced ones can give you advice, the newer ones sympathy. :cool:
If you are very concerned about starts, then you can start from the side. (Some people are self conscious, but you have to weigh a tiny social pain versus the possibility of doing a belly-flopper. :eek: )
Of course, just because you can start from the pool, doesn't mean you shouldn't be working towards a good block start. ;)
