With the encouragement from this board and a desire to drop some pounds and become a better swimmer I think I will be going to my local Masters practice this Friday morning dark and early. I'm extremely nervous about this. They said they do about 3500 yards a workout. I have never been on a swim team. I have never been formally taught how to swim. I swam laps a year ago for 2 months and loved it but at best I could do a mile in an hour. I'm nervous b/c I don't want to waste these peoples time. Will they have time for me to build up my endurance and work on my stroke? Will a coach help with this? I was thinking that I needed to reach a certain level before joining but based on this board and a guy on the team I'll never reach that level and I should just do it. Are my reservations about going completely ridiculous? ARE THEY ALL GOING TO LAUGH AT ME???:)
Parents
Former Member
Hi Andrew,
I strongly recommend that you do not swim 3500 yards in your first workout, and perhaps not even for several weeks! You should start with maybe half that, then gradually increase.
A good way to "control yardage" is to drop 50's during the workout. Sit out a 50 after swimming 2 or 3. Just be sure to tell your lanemates that you will be doing this, and then stay out their way as they come in for their turns. (Squeeze next to the lane line)
Communication is the best way to keep a happy lane. Ask for help and let people know what you are doing. Some teams are more supervised than others, but hopefully you will have a coach who is attentive to your newbyness!
Don't be scared. You can see by these boards how great swimming is! Good luck!
Hi Andrew,
I strongly recommend that you do not swim 3500 yards in your first workout, and perhaps not even for several weeks! You should start with maybe half that, then gradually increase.
A good way to "control yardage" is to drop 50's during the workout. Sit out a 50 after swimming 2 or 3. Just be sure to tell your lanemates that you will be doing this, and then stay out their way as they come in for their turns. (Squeeze next to the lane line)
Communication is the best way to keep a happy lane. Ask for help and let people know what you are doing. Some teams are more supervised than others, but hopefully you will have a coach who is attentive to your newbyness!
Don't be scared. You can see by these boards how great swimming is! Good luck!
