Eek!!

Hey Ky! Since nobody responded to your question about backstroke starts (except for Guvnah saying he wasn't sure), I'll go ahead and add my two cents! I've been doing backstroke since I was about 10 years old, and I've encountered every start block and wall imaginable. Personally, I tend to like using the poll wall/gutter more than I use the block starters. It all comes down to personal preference, but for me, I think that using the blocks means I have to keep most of my body out of the water, and it's harder, since most of my weight is now being held up by my arms, and it's tough to get a good quick start that way. I like using the gutters because it lets me balance out my start between my arms and feet, and I feel like I get more leverage that way. Somebody mentioned on here the sprint lanes during warmups......I'd definitely use those. Try a couple backstroke starts, see which you're more comfortable with, and go for it. There's no rule saying you have to use the block starts. Ooh, also, if you're going to do a backstroke event, MAKE SURE you do a couple of laps at race pace, and count the flags as you're going into the wall! There's nothing worse than coming into a wall blind and miscounting! That's all from Pittsburgh for now!

I can sympathize Kyra, I too went to my first meet not so long ago with a lot of questions, and no team members to consult. So far, everyone here has done an excellent job with your questions! I for one would not do too well swimming back-to-back events. But it could be because my practice loads are often low and as a result, my endurance is low as well. I guess the question is: how important is it to you to go a top time, a personal best? If you're attending the meet just for the sake of fun, that's one thing, but if you're out to not just have fun but to truly challenge personal goals, that's another. If you are out for a top time, I would recommend trying events that are spaced further apart, even if it means dropping an event you'd like to swim. You can always try that event later in the season (depending on the number of meets you can attend) and maybe even try out an event you don't consider to be your best. One more personal observation, as a backstoker. I've always been bad at the backstroke start grabbing the blocks, even at the more elite level, so I've always done them by grabbing the wall (except in H.S. swimming, when they'd let you do a stand up start. Those were the BOMB. Anyway, moving on...). I couldn't ever catch a good grip with my feet, so my age-group coach and a I perfected a good wall start that I still use today. The upside is you can practice them anywhere, and an excellent start from the wall is usually better than a so-so start from the block. However, I would also recommend trying out the sprint lane at the meet for your starts no matter what you decide to do. Even a wall start can be shaky - at nationals last year I had a poor start on the 50 back because I hadn't practiced my start from that particular end of the pool, and I hadn't predicted the shakiness of the timing board. I've learned my lesson! At any rate, be sure to relax enough to have fun, and remember - whatever times you turn in, they will be your new personal bests!

So it's time that I choose my events, the meet is a little over a month away! (I'm really excited!!) I was wondering how many events should I take for my first time. I was thinking of doing the 100 IM, 50 free, and 100 back. The only thing is that the 100 back is right after the 50 free. How much of a difference would that make in my race? Should I consider doing a different event so that they are farther apart? Thanks so much for all your help and support!!! ~Kyra

I'd say do whatever events your little chlorinated heart desires, but yeah, you'll be tired going from one event to the next pretty quick......of course, it's only a 50, so it's not like you're doing the 200 fly and THEN the 100 back, but still. It won't kill you, but it'll make you feel really tired after about a 50 of the backstroke. You'll be thinking to yourself, "Gosh, I thought I had more energy than this during the first 50. I wonder what happened?" Or something along those lines. I still have to pick my events for my Jan 23rd meet, too. Definitely not going with anything IM, and other than that, I'm not sure. Steph

Thanks for you replies!! I called my friend shortly after I posted, she's a coach and has seen me swim so I figured she would know what events I should do. So I'm doing the 200 free, 100 ***, 100 IM, and 50 free. I wanted to do a back event, but I have a pretty bad cross-over that I'm working on, and she wasn't sure it would be a good idea to race so quickly after finding out that I have one (she just told me last week). I'm kind of sceptical about the *** event, but she said I have a good breaststroke so we'll see what happens!! Thanx so much for all your help!! ~Kyra p.s. Steph~Good Luck in your meet!! Let me know how you do!!

I agree with Rob. I am one of those who prefers to use the gutter or wall to start, particularly if I'm unfamiliar with the pool, or the starting blocks are too high to get a good grip. I've also found that it's more reliable than a block start as well, so if you're worried about blowing a start, a decent gutter start is better than a 50-50 block start in an unfamiliar pool. That said, I think girls do use the gutter more than guys, because we naturally have a little more leg and hip strength, and less arm strength. It's a little more comfortable for us, and we can get about the same propulsion out of the water. So all in all, I think it works out to whatever your preference is.

PS - Kyra, I will definitely let you know how it goes! And YAY for the breaststroke, you'll be great! I think I've settled on the 50 back, the 200 free, and the 25 ***. Those three are right at the end, back to back to back (gulp), but the only one I'm really gunning for is the backstroke. I figure the 200 can be a nice medium pace without anybody getting their shorts in a knot, and the 25 is just for fun. I'm thinking about adding the 100 back at the beginning of the meet, but we'll see. I'm like Ohio in the election. Undecided until the last minute. (Oh please. I'm allowed to make fun of Ohio, it's my home state for cryin' out loud.) Good Luck, Ky!

Originally posted by Seagurl51 So it's time that I choose my events, the meet is a little over a month away! (I'm really excited!!) I was wondering how many events should I take for my first time. I was thinking of doing the 100 IM, 50 free, and 100 back. The only thing is that the 100 back is right after the 50 free. How much of a difference would that make in my race? Should I consider doing a different event so that they are farther apart? Thanks so much for all your help and support!!! ~Kyra I see that you have already chosen, but I just wanted to add that the two events won't exactly be back to back for you. There are multiple heats in each, and there are separate events (usually) for men and women, so you'd probably have about 10 minutes to recover. And since there is no championship or life-and-death result on the line, it wouldn't be a tragedy if you either held back on the first of the two, or died 75% of the way through the second event. But please don't reconsider what you have already decided at this point. Focus on your decision now and don't look back! Good luck!

Originally posted by kaffrinn One more personal observation, as a backstoker. I've always been bad at the backstroke start grabbing the blocks, even at the more elite level, so I've always done them by grabbing the wall But you should concede you're really in the minority here. I don't recall ever seeing anyone in age group, high school, or college doing a backstroke start by grabbing the wall rather than the block.

I have a short lunch so I scanned these posts quickly. I see that you decided not to swim backstroke in your first meet. I thought your backstroke question was about your googles on the start....so....for the 2nd or third meet (when you do swim back), do not worry about your goggles staying on for the backstroke start. I can't for the life of me keep my goggles on for my sprint free starts off the block. Good thing I don't have many walls to see. But I wear my googles only fairly tight and never lose them on the backstroke start. I have done many backstroke races. They don't even get any water in them