Time comparison

Is this yards or meters? Short course or long course?

You will be able to "hang" at a Masters meet because, generally, events are seeded with all ages and both sexes swimming together. So, if you enter with a 1:20 time you should be surrounded by others of similar speed, they could be men or women, young or old. As far as how your times compare to others your age? Well, there are guys your age who can swim a 100 yard free in 46 seconds. But don't let that faze you! Most people at Masters meets are there to swim as well as they can and to support others. We all know there are swimmers of widely varying abilities. Your 1:20 isn't going to be the fastest swim at the meet, but it won't be the slowest either. In short: you'll be fine. Just try it!

The yards or meters is a good question, but really you should go try a masters meet. Since you've just begun, you can set a bench mark time, and improve from there. I started at 38, did my first meet at 40, and it has been fun to see the progression of times, and trying new events. No one at meets really pays attention to others times, it is about the spirit of the event(unless, of course someone really good is swimming, then it is just plain fun to watch!).

You are talking about a workout time. In a meet you probably could swim between 1:15 to 1:18. Most swimmers swim slower in practice than meets. And if you are repeating at 1:20, you could be at a 1:10 or faster range in a meet. Doing 5 or 10 x 100 yard freestyles means that you are probably swimming 10 seconds or so slower than you would in a meet. In your age group, the beginning male swimmers are close to your speed.

Originally posted by knelson Your 1:20 isn't going to be the fastest swim at the meet, but it won't be the slowest either. In short: you'll be fine. Just try it! Kirk Nelson could not have said this any better.... I have swam :54.7 in the 100 SCY Free at 47 years old.......I was happy with that swim...and....their were a slew of guys my age that went close to 50 flat.....and....their were a slew of guys who didn't.... Time is not a good yard stick to measure Masters Swimming...It tells you how fast you went...but it does not tell you how much better you feel, how much gratification you get from simply "Walking into the Arena and giving it a whack." That makes you a winner...Heck, most of America is over weight and out of shape.... swimming USMS makes you a winner just being here....Lastly, try not to compare yourself with others...set individual goals that you want to achieve....and trust me....NO ONE WILL EVER, EVER, look down their nose at you at a USMS meet. I've been swimming USMS for 14-15 years and have never seen that...ever! Go for it...

I really appreciate the responses. 100 yards in 54 seconds! Wow. Forgive me for having a little water in my brain but doesn't that translate to around 13.5 seconds each length? I gotta see it. Does anyone know when the next meet is scheduled in the Portland, OR area?

Tom is fast. I didn't know that before but I sure do now. You go to a bigger meet and you'll see lots of 54s and lots lower as well. Forget the times, you'll have a great time at a USMS meet. Going to one meet hooks you big time. You'll want to keep going after that. I suspect you'll soon see the 1:00 minute mark if you keep up your practicing.

Originally posted by the texillectual I really appreciate the responses. 100 yards in 54 seconds! Wow. Forgive me for having a little water in my brain but doesn't that translate to around 13.5 seconds each length? I gotta see it. Does anyone know when the next meet is scheduled in the Portland, OR area? Check out your LMSC web site: http://www.swimoregon.org/ There should be a calendar there with a list of all meets coming up and entry forms for them.

I have been swimming regularly for a little over a year now. I am down to a 1:18 for 100 with an in-pool start. I am guessing that if I learned to do a block start maybe I could knock off a couple of seconds. But I am with you - 54 seconds seems like a world away. Oh well, I keep telling myslef that the health benefits are the real reason for swimming.

I recently learned that Masters swimming is competitive but fun and camaraderie are the most important elements. I was a competitive swimmer from age 5 to 19 and then stopped swimming completely until a month ago. I was doing 59 secs in 100m LC at the age of 12 now i can barely float (remember Im starting again) but am having the time of my life. My club practices at 5am and I havent missed a practice. im hooked again for the fun and camaraderie and in a distant third is the times. Have fun Dolphinccc