I've noticed there have been a lot of new people on the forum lately, and the short course season is finally upon us. So I thought this thread could be a reflection on everyone's first Masters meet...whether that first meet for you was recently, or quite awhile ago!
My first swim meet was a little less than a year ago. I had been out of the water for nine years and was very nervous - I didn't want to time myself in practice because I knew I was way off of my "old form." So I had no idea how I'd do.
I had to come to the meet late because of church (it was on a Sunday morning). So I had to swim the 50 *** and free, my two worst strokes - but you gotta love the distance! I was surprised each time I saw the clock - I thought I was going to swim way worse than I actually did! And even though those times were nowhere near my high-school best, it was exciting and inspiring to have "new best times" to beat later on in the season.
But I wish I would have known that there was no legal back-to-*** flip turn in the IM in Masters Swimming, because I got DQ'ed!
I was also very impressed by the crowd - a lot of kids cheering on their parents or grandparents! Very fun to observe.
Originally posted by Seagurl51
I have yet to go to my first meet. I'm really excited to find one and go to it though! I've been timing my self in practice, and have dropped five seconds from when I got back in the pool. I'm anxious to try my new (and re-found) skills. If you had asked me three months ago if I would be actually looking forward to competing I would have laughed in your face, but after reading all the stories about new swimmers and comeback swimmers I can't wait to go! I realized that it's not about the result (at least for me and only for my first meet) but the fact that you did it which matters!! Thanx for the inspiration!
~Kyra
They have Masters Meets in Idaho, just kidding. Just remember, at your first Masters Meet, just worry about finishing. That is what I did. I had to swim some rough events at my first meet, 200 fly, 400 IM, 400 free. I probably shouldn't have done that full load of events but it was worth the challenge and I am glad that I made it through.
I have yet to go to my first meet. I'm really excited to find one and go to it though! I've been timing my self in practice, and have dropped five seconds from when I got back in the pool. I'm anxious to try my new (and re-found) skills. If you had asked me three months ago if I would be actually looking forward to competing I would have laughed in your face, but after reading all the stories about new swimmers and comeback swimmers I can't wait to go! I realized that it's not about the result (at least for me and only for my first meet) but the fact that you did it which matters!! Thanx for the inspiration!
~Kyra
Originally posted by tjrpatt
They have Masters Meets in Idaho, just kidding. Just remember, at your first Masters Meet, just worry about finishing. That is what I did. I had to swim some rough events at my first meet, 200 fly, 400 IM, 400 free. I probably shouldn't have done that full load of events but it was worth the challenge and I am glad that I made it through.
I am so glad to hear someone say just worry about finishing! That is my whole goal at this point, I'll worry about my times after I get over the nerves of being my first swim meet. I remember when I told my friend that I wanted to compete she just looked at me and said "You're gonna get your butt kicked." So I told her that all wanted to do was finish the race to prove to my self that I could do it, so thanx for that little boost of encouragement. As far as masters meets in Idaho...they only have like 3 swim meets that I know of, and I don't know of any of them are masters or not. But Utah has some!!
~Kyra
I remember my first meet about 5 years ago. I never swam as a kid and was very apprehensive about what it would be like. I had only signed up for a couple of events. Saturday morning after the meet began I started thinking that I was going to drive 12 hours round trip and spend 2 nights in a hotel for about two minutes of swimming. Right then I deck entered everything I could and had the best time of my life.
Originally posted by jpjackson76
I don't mean to high-jack your thread but is this true?
Yes, unfortunately, it is true! You have to touch the wall with your hand in backstroke, then you can turn over to your stomach and do the breaststroke.
Good luck with your first meet, Kyra, whenever it is. Don't worry about being slow - those will just be your times to beat later in the season! I for one improved quite a bit as my first season went along. But I suppose you have to find someone to register you before you can compete in a meet - it will happen, eventually!
Originally posted by jpjackson76
I don't mean to high-jack your thread but is this true?
No, it's not true. You do have to touch while on your back. But then you can flip over to breaststroke. What you can't do is roll over on your stomach and do the "new" backstroke turn when you transition to breaststroke. You have to follow the finish rules for each stroke as you finish each leg.
Oh this brings up fun memories! First masters meet 3 years ago in Livorno, beautiful 50 meter 10-lane pool... I had NO idea what I was getting into! Walked into a swarm of 1000 masters swimmers - they'd maxed out for the meet. I unwittingly sat down next to a fellow team member, 75 year-old Celio Brunelleschi, ex-olympian and granddaddy of the masters movement in Italy. He was kind enough to show me the ropes. I did a 50m fly, coming in 2nd for my age group. Didn't even know that meant I got a medal! The next day I was written up in a local sports journal. Who? Me? :rolleyes:
Going back to Livorno in 10 days... 100m back and free.
CAN'T WAIT!!
I swam my first Masters meet in ’79, back when I was a pre-Master; in those days you had to be 25 to be a real Master.
I don’t remember much of the meet, but I must have had a great time, because I’m still swimming 25 years later!
Originally posted by kaffrinn
But I wish I would have known that there was no legal back-to-*** flip turn in the IM in Masters Swimming, because I got DQ'ed!
I don't mean to high-jack your thread but is this true?
