So since at least two people on this board are interested in my adventures in joining my University's team I thought I'd create a thread (much like ande's swimming blog) to detail all of it. Yeah.
Since the season doesn't actually start regular practice for another week and a half, this is mainly an intro post - and I'll update it with what happens when I go meet the other girls on the team and such! Stay tuned! It'll be better than any general hospital or passions!
Today I actually swam for the first time (since my freshman swim test last year) in the University pool. It was huge. And cold. Over the summer I got used to swimming in health club pools with water hovering around 80-85. Not exactly the most comfortable water at times, but at least nice and warm. The Ratner pool here is...freezing by those standards. I'm guessing the water temp is 75 at the warmest. Gives new meaning to the term "warm up".
I was really nervous when I first got in - the girls and guys returning members were having informal practices and I was sort of afraid they'd notice me. Although, I don't think they did. Or maybe they did and I just didn't hear what they said about me. Haha.
I also swam a 600 for the first time in a long time. I mostly stuck to 400s and below in my summer workouts (yeah, I know, I'm a little bit of a wimp). Unfortunately, that couldn't last. The coach suggested when I met her that I get in the water and swim 6-800 straight every day this week as part of my workout. It kind of hurt. Actually, it was one of the odder experiences of my life. For the first 200 or so my chest was tight from my asthma and I was freaking out about the distance (I was also really cold). Then all of a sudden I started to get really into it and just kept on going. I probably could have done 1000 if I wanted to.
The workout was cut short - only about 2300yds - because I promised my friends I'd come home and cook dinner for them tonight. And that's where I leave it tonight.
Background: For those who didn't see my posts on the board throughout the year, I'm a soph. in college who has been going through the prepartion to join my school's team. I attend the University of Chicago (a div 3 school) and was a competitive swimmer for seven years before high school. Burnout put me out of the water for almost 5 years, however, and I'm only recently getting back into it.
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Former Member
There is a tiny possibility that I might get to go to the conference meet afterall.
My mom, after hearing about how I wouldn't be able to go, has offered to pay the school for my airfare/lodging/whatever else is necessary.
Unfortunately......they still might not let me go.
My coach said she would have to talk with the assistant athletic director about it, but that it was possible they would say no.
Apparently they'd be concerned about having coaches bring other people and then about kids who wern't allowed to go but couldn't pay and and.......
Ugh.
I say it's all bull**** (excuse my language).
Fact is, I am a part of this team. I stuck it out for the entire season when I could have quit. Not only that, but our team is now small enough that we are well under the maximum amount of people allowed to go to UAAs. I would be the only one staying home.
I said before that I understood why the school couldn't buy me a ticket - I mean that makes sense...
But now I'm offering to pay for it myself (well my mom is) and they still might not let me go?? What the hell is that? Why is it any different than if I bought a ticket on their flight and bought a room in their hotel and just decided to go by myself? I just don't understand....
There is a tiny possibility that I might get to go to the conference meet afterall.
My mom, after hearing about how I wouldn't be able to go, has offered to pay the school for my airfare/lodging/whatever else is necessary.
Unfortunately......they still might not let me go.
My coach said she would have to talk with the assistant athletic director about it, but that it was possible they would say no.
Apparently they'd be concerned about having coaches bring other people and then about kids who wern't allowed to go but couldn't pay and and.......
Ugh.
I say it's all bull**** (excuse my language).
Fact is, I am a part of this team. I stuck it out for the entire season when I could have quit. Not only that, but our team is now small enough that we are well under the maximum amount of people allowed to go to UAAs. I would be the only one staying home.
I said before that I understood why the school couldn't buy me a ticket - I mean that makes sense...
But now I'm offering to pay for it myself (well my mom is) and they still might not let me go?? What the hell is that? Why is it any different than if I bought a ticket on their flight and bought a room in their hotel and just decided to go by myself? I just don't understand....
