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 centaur532
I ran Cross Country in high school ... and I wasn't very fast at all. But I realized that only one person could win a race, and it wasn't going to be me, so I just concentrated on beating myself. I got SO much out of running that way, and it never bothered me that I didn't place.
I like that attitude (although it doesn't stop me from aiming at the top 10 masters times. :D )
I had a similar Cross County experience in high school. I remember a season-ending invitational, where I started out in the middle of the "B" racers. A couple dozen people in the front turned sooner than they should have, and had to turn around. At the actual turn, a score more people went straight when they should have turned. About a mile into the race (after two more turns), I and this other guy found ourselves way in front! (It pays to remember the actual course.) No matter that a lot of people caught me after the second mile, but I had my moment leading the field. ;)
As long as you keep plugging away, opportunities will await you.
Originally posted by centaur532
I ran Cross Country in high school ... and I wasn't very fast at all. But I realized that only one person could win a race, and it wasn't going to be me, so I just concentrated on beating myself. I got SO much out of running that way, and it never bothered me that I didn't place.
I like that attitude (although it doesn't stop me from aiming at the top 10 masters times. :D )
I had a similar Cross County experience in high school. I remember a season-ending invitational, where I started out in the middle of the "B" racers. A couple dozen people in the front turned sooner than they should have, and had to turn around. At the actual turn, a score more people went straight when they should have turned. About a mile into the race (after two more turns), I and this other guy found ourselves way in front! (It pays to remember the actual course.) No matter that a lot of people caught me after the second mile, but I had my moment leading the field. ;)
As long as you keep plugging away, opportunities will await you.
