How fit would I have to be...

I say go for it! I felt underprepared for my first meet and wound up surprising myself. USMS is about staying fit and having fun to me. Some people take the competition a bit more seriously but as long as I finish the race while maintaining good form and am satisfied with the results, I leave with a smile. I push myself in practice to beat my own times, not those of others. Like I said, go for it and give yourself something to work from. Your first few meets will be super exciting because you are bound to see some significant improvement in your times. Have fun!

I'm super slow, but had a lot of fun at the meet I attended last year and because I was the only person in my age group received a ribbon! My first swim meet experience was at the local Senior Games last year and I was hooked. While my times doing the 50 and 100 free all out were others' easy pace, they were way better than I expected. Did a senior games meet this year that was very low-key/laid back and even tried the 100 IM which wasn't just brave for me... it was downright insane! :D I was DEFINITELY the last out of the water in that IM, but I felt pleased that I'd gotten out of my comfort zone, tried something different. As for turns, after getting to the point where I could do flip turns (nervously), I lost the art when one of my flip turns had me twisted into a knot and suffering from a leg cramp and struggling to resurface. But in a recent swim clinic I attended, one of the instructors showed me how to get the most out of an open turn. She also said that a person with a good open turn could be quite competitive with the "flip turners." I still hope eventually to lose my fear of flip turns, but it was good to know that open turns didn't necessarily consign me to slow swimming.

Rich, Just be fit enough to finish your chosen events. And no one says you have to flip turn, you will actually get more oxygen if you can perfect a very fast "open turn". One thing I know from swimming for over 45 years is this: There is always someone faster, and there is always someone slower. I think the most important thing is the journey and experience and comaraderie of fellow swimmers at meets. Even people who have had injuries use swimming and Masters to heal and "try out" their newly fixed wings in swim meets. I commend anyone who swims and anyone who competes at whatever level. It is better to try than not to. Your sense of accomplishment afterwards will be something you can cherish. Donna

If you are physically able to get to the meet, that should be enough to participate and have a good sense of accomplishment.

Wow you guys are great cheerleaders. :woot: I think I'll look for something in the new year...so much happening with the holidays etc so it will be tough to fit something in before. I did a mile tonight of Breaststroke moderate pace for 200yds then sprint 100yds. Just to see if I could still make the mile. I did ok. I guess I can do the 50 or 100 if there is an event...and gear my training around that. I'm not shaving though!!:rofl: Thank you all again.

I meant to say i did my whole mile in that 200/100 fashion if it didn't make sense before it was 6 sets of twelve laps... The woman in the lane must have though I was being a typical male when I'd suddenly start "catching up" and/or trying to "beat" her lol I wanted to tell her what I was doing when I had done my mile but she was stilll swimming... I just have to find a meet nearby...not wanting to travel just yet... Now....Silver or Yellow Speedos?? LOL

Not very....take it from me... I still am not very fit, but the thing is no one seems to notice. I have now swam in 3 meets, usually the slowest one there, but have only felt love before, during and after. As long as a life guard rescue is not needed, I say "go for it!":wave:

My first swim meet experience was at the local Senior Games last year and I was hooked. While my times doing the 50 and 100 free all out were others' easy pace, they were way better than I expected.. Our city started the Senior Games the year I turned 50 and I've done them every year since. It's a lot of fun. I went to the State Games and then the National Games in Pittsgurgh in 2005 and had a blast. Even got some ribbons and swam PB's in every event I entered. As for turns, after getting to the point where I could do flip turns (nervously), I lost the art when one of my flip turns had me twisted into a knot and suffering from a leg cramp and struggling to resurface. It took me about a year to get to where I could do the turn proficiently. Keep practicing....it will get easier.

I agree, no shaving. After all, I need seconds and minutes to come off my swim times and I don't have enough hair on my body to cause the kind of drag that shaving would help (LOL). Donna

I agree, no shaving. After all, I need seconds and minutes to come off my swim times and I don't have enough hair on my body to cause the kind of drag that shaving would help (LOL). Donna Wow even now that you backstroke nekkid you still gotta get time off?? :rofl: ;)