First practice ever!

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

funny, dude-but I was being serious. It's easy for people who were swimmers in high school or college. For those of us who have never done this kind of thing everything about it is intimidating. There are "unwritten rules", the language is unfamiliar and there are lots of people that are better at it. The only way to keep the sport growing is to welcome and encourage beginnners-unless growing the sport isn't really a major objective.

Thanks. From reading the forum and the articles on the website I've started to get an idea of the lingo. I know about intervals and drills but I've never tried them. I just do my 2000 meters freestyle 3x a week, slowly. The posts I've read say that I will never know how good a swimmer I could be if that's all I do, which led me to contact a local master's team. There are faster swimmers at the Y, but I've been shy about approaching any of them for advice.

New swimmer: 1 - A large number of Masters swimmers weren't high school or college competitive swimmers. Many of us got the bug later in life. 2 - You'll likely find your teammates are some of the nicest people you'll ever meet and will gladly help you. 3 - The 3 Masters teams I've worked out with have all had a wide range of abilities and coaches that work with each and every person according to their abilities. 4 - Have fun! Most teams have some serious goals of getting fit, competiting, etc..., but they all usually also just like having fun in doing the workout. Some of us actually get pushed a bit because we talk too much in the pool during our "rest" between intervals. Good luck! As others said, you'll do fine...

Julie, One more thing... You mentioned you are 10 pounds from where you want to be. Don't worry about it. To give you a bit of inspiration: I competed in Melbourne, Australia in Oct. 2002 and was at my ideal weight. Well, over the past year, starting a new job and traveling, I put on 45 pounds and although I've only shed 5 pounds of it, I'm competing in a local meet in a week. I'll be the fat one on the blocks but I don't care. Masters is accepting of everyone no matter where a person is at a point in time. Good luck. I'll see you on the blocks one day! Dan

jumped in the pool at 7 am this morning and worked out with a team for the first time. I survived it, and got some really good pointers from the coach. There are posted workouts, but everyone seems to adjust them to fit their ability and interest. I discovered that I can't swim backstroke to save my life, but my free and breastroke might be redeemable. I got through the 50 fly set wondering the entire time who made this stroke up and why anyone would want to swim it?:confused: The only thing that would keep me from continuing weekly is the cost. In order to join the Master's team, you have to join the Y. I've had a membership at a different Y for 12 years that is more convenient for me to go to before work. (That one costs less too) The bottom line is that I would have to pay over $600 to swim with the team on Sunday morning. Is this a standard practice?

Originally posted by Fitswimmer04 The only thing that would keep me from continuing weekly is the cost. In order to join the Master's team, you have to join the Y. I've had a membership at a different Y for 12 years that is more convenient for me to go to before work. (That one costs less too) The bottom line is that I would have to pay over $600 to swim with the team on Sunday morning. Is this a standard practice? It depends on the team and the facility -- there really is no "standard" practice, throughout USMS. (I don't know about the Y.) For example, my team isn't affiliated with any facility (we rent pool time at a local college, but other than that we're completely independent) so there's no issue of joining a facility -- we just pay dues to the team. The pool where I swim when I'm not working out with my team, has it's own team (which I'm not a member of, obviously) but they give people the options of joining the team, with or without membership in the facility (different fees for each). Others, as you've seen, require membership in the facility. So if cost is an issue you really have to shop around for a deal, but bear in mind that the team that has the best fee structure, may not have the most convenient schedule or the most appropriate philosophy for you -- every team is different :).

I've really enjoyed this post so far Fitswimmer 04. Please continue to post your experience. I am 25 and have never had a swim lesson or been on a swim team. Swimming is something I would love to get into for fitness and pure enjoyment. I swam freestyle last summer for couple of months, 3 days a week but then got on a new job on the road and stopped swimming. I haven't really swam since but really would like to make it a life long hobby. Unfortunantly I'm very nervous about it. I've never been trained I just plod along plus I'm a little bit over weight. There's a master's team right up the street from me that swims mornings. I think that would be perfect since my girlfriend has to get up and be at work by 6. I could get up with her a swim before work. I'm just nervous that masters swimming isn't for me since I have basically "zero" swimming experience. Is master's for me? Should I try to swim on my own and get to a certain point before taking the plunge?

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

I can attest to that-just from my initial experience on Sunday. I was in a 6 lane pool, and the lanes were split 3/3 with competitive and fitness swimmers. The coach made up 2 workouts, one for the more advanced swimmers and one for the fitness swimmers. During practice, we adjusted the level of training to what we felt we could do without drowning! I noticed that nobody really had the time (or the energy) to watch what anyone else was doing. Everyone was concentrating on their own workout. Nobody made fun of the fat lady in the speedo (me),everyone was very welcoming and supportive, answering all my questions. Go ahead and try it!