On February 20, I'm hoping to go to my first swim meet......ever! :eek: I swam on the team when I was younger, but I never competed. I'm incredibly nervous already and I have no idea what to expect because I have never been to a meet before. I swam with my friend who is a coach, and I have what seems like a lot of work to do on my strokes. How realistic is it that I be ready by February? Obviously I won't be at the top of the field, but I'm hoping to at least not make a fool out of myself. But what I really want to know is what to expect. How do I train, and how do I taper? When do I start tapering? Do I even need to taper? Any good pre-meet workout ideas? Any thing that anyone can suggest would be helpful!!! Thanx a bunch!!
~Kyra
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Originally posted by Seagurl51
Any suggestions for making goggles stay on? I can dive off the wall and usually they stay on, but I'm kinda worried that from a block they won't. And how about backstroke starts? How different is it to start from a block then the wall? I'm hoping it will be easier because I can't seem to get good height off the wall.
~Kyra
Can't comment much on backstroke starts because I simply don't do that event. But watching people at meets, it seems that being able to grab onto the block above the water on the start instead of just grabbing to the edge of the pool at practice gains them some big height. And it doesn't really look that hard.
As for goggles on the forward starts, it can be a problem. You'll have to play with them during warmups. Tighten them up a little bit. Squish them tighter onto your eyes as someone mentioned. If it hurts a little, well, events are far shorter than an overall workout so it won't last that long! :)
When I was in high school, goggles were just coming into vogue. NOBODY wore them at meets because the flimsy bands simply would not hold them on. But now most bands are thicker and wider. Also I find that my goggles stay on better if I have a "split" band or two bands. Put one rather high up on your head. That works for me.
I've heard a lot of people say tuck your chin. That just doesn't seem to work for me. I end up going too deep. Your mileage may vary. I just tighten them up and I haven't had much problem.
Oh, and some people wear their caps OVER their goggle straps. That may help too, though I have never done that.
Originally posted by Seagurl51
Any suggestions for making goggles stay on? I can dive off the wall and usually they stay on, but I'm kinda worried that from a block they won't. And how about backstroke starts? How different is it to start from a block then the wall? I'm hoping it will be easier because I can't seem to get good height off the wall.
~Kyra
Can't comment much on backstroke starts because I simply don't do that event. But watching people at meets, it seems that being able to grab onto the block above the water on the start instead of just grabbing to the edge of the pool at practice gains them some big height. And it doesn't really look that hard.
As for goggles on the forward starts, it can be a problem. You'll have to play with them during warmups. Tighten them up a little bit. Squish them tighter onto your eyes as someone mentioned. If it hurts a little, well, events are far shorter than an overall workout so it won't last that long! :)
When I was in high school, goggles were just coming into vogue. NOBODY wore them at meets because the flimsy bands simply would not hold them on. But now most bands are thicker and wider. Also I find that my goggles stay on better if I have a "split" band or two bands. Put one rather high up on your head. That works for me.
I've heard a lot of people say tuck your chin. That just doesn't seem to work for me. I end up going too deep. Your mileage may vary. I just tighten them up and I haven't had much problem.
Oh, and some people wear their caps OVER their goggle straps. That may help too, though I have never done that.
