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!!
Parents
Former Member
Andrew,
Most Masters swimmers have your same nervousness. However, be assured that swimmers join Masters along the entire spectrum of abilities from beginners to advanced swimmers. A good Masters club does accept everyone and works with everyone at their level. And, nothing will help you more to advance, than other swimmers. Many Masters swimmers are in it for fitness and being with a great group of people. You should go for it! Give one workout a try with the team. Your truly have nothing to lose giving it at least a try.
When I started with a large Masters team that had a wide range of abilities, one of the coaches had some very tough workouts. When I said "I can't do some of those sets yet" to another swimmer, the swimmers said "you're an adult and this isn't high school swimming, you don't have to do it all." That puts it into reality. And, the coach then worked with me on what "I can do" at that point and time. I think most Masters coaches have similar approaches.
Good luck!
Dan
Andrew,
Most Masters swimmers have your same nervousness. However, be assured that swimmers join Masters along the entire spectrum of abilities from beginners to advanced swimmers. A good Masters club does accept everyone and works with everyone at their level. And, nothing will help you more to advance, than other swimmers. Many Masters swimmers are in it for fitness and being with a great group of people. You should go for it! Give one workout a try with the team. Your truly have nothing to lose giving it at least a try.
When I started with a large Masters team that had a wide range of abilities, one of the coaches had some very tough workouts. When I said "I can't do some of those sets yet" to another swimmer, the swimmers said "you're an adult and this isn't high school swimming, you don't have to do it all." That puts it into reality. And, the coach then worked with me on what "I can do" at that point and time. I think most Masters coaches have similar approaches.
Good luck!
Dan
