Help! I'm going to my first practice ever for a master's swim team on Sunday morning. I've been swimming on my own since March and have worked up to 50 minute sessions-a little over a mile-3 days a week. I've never been coached or trained before, so the whole thing has me pretty intimidated. I've been reading the forum and from what I see, you all seem to recommend team training to improve. I'm over 40, still about 10 pounds heavier than I'd like to be but not in horrible shape. I'm a little nervous that I won't be able to keep up or that people will resent a slow untrained swimmer messing up their practice.
Any advice?
Thanks!!
Hi Julie,
I understand the feeling, even though I started competitive swimming as a child. As I have mentioned elsewhere in these posts, I generally swim alone, though there are other swimmers who also swim where I work out. I've started talking with and getting to know one of those guys who often swims at the same time I do. Last night we were in adjacent lanes and so he asked me, "What are you swimming... Can I join you in your workout?" Now this guy is 12 years younger than I am, and in much better condition, and so I felt a sharp pang of uneasiness and embarrassment. So I said to him, "Yes, feel free, but I'm afraid my pace will hold you back." He said that that would fit what he was doing yesterday anyway, so we were off on a 500 - me swimming, he pulling.
Like the Geekster said, however, you will do fine! I believe you'll come back exhilarated - and maybe exhausted. If anyone does give you any kind of grief because you're a 'newbie', its their problem, not yours.
Joe
Hi Julie,
I understand the feeling, even though I started competitive swimming as a child. As I have mentioned elsewhere in these posts, I generally swim alone, though there are other swimmers who also swim where I work out. I've started talking with and getting to know one of those guys who often swims at the same time I do. Last night we were in adjacent lanes and so he asked me, "What are you swimming... Can I join you in your workout?" Now this guy is 12 years younger than I am, and in much better condition, and so I felt a sharp pang of uneasiness and embarrassment. So I said to him, "Yes, feel free, but I'm afraid my pace will hold you back." He said that that would fit what he was doing yesterday anyway, so we were off on a 500 - me swimming, he pulling.
Like the Geekster said, however, you will do fine! I believe you'll come back exhilarated - and maybe exhausted. If anyone does give you any kind of grief because you're a 'newbie', its their problem, not yours.
Joe
