I thought I'd try an experiment here. I propose that anyone of any swimming level can use this thread (or not) when, whether in a small way or earthshaking manner you've done something in the pool that you're proud and/or pleased by. Anyone is welcome to add encouraging comments (or not) or ask for more info., but please no grandstanding or feuding.
Okay- I'll go first (and I'm just as hesitant as anyone else). Context: last few months hellish: collapse of my dream business, death in family, huge money troubles etc. result months out of water & exercise & 30lb gain. Further, I just went back over the last 10 yrs, averaged 1 meet a year, no more than 4 months training in any one year. So- been back in water 4 weeks, 2-3 times a week and mostly feeling like chopped liver. Monday night coach say we're going to do dive 25's (meters) from blocks, starter's instructions. Now I haven't done this in years 'cause I have a very bad neck- but I've been frustrated so...did all 3 breastroke 16.3, 15.5, 16.2 which tells me I've still got prospects to go fast again! I am pleased.
Ok, here goes....
I did a meet today, only signed up last Wednesday. It started off awful...18 seconds slower in the 500 than at zones last year and ended up at 5:58. I went 5:50 in practice a few weeks ago. Shook it off, got a good warm down and then went into 100 back feeling much more relaxed. I took .8 seconds off my best time in masters. I was thrilled! Had a long break and then the 200 IM...just had nothing, I tried to swim fast, but couldn't even push myself to go faster. Got out of the pool, moved from lane 6 over to lane 3, watched the three heats of 50 *** and then back up on the blocks for my once in a lifetime 200 fly. Could barely get my arms out of the water for the last 25, but did it legally and actually think I may do it again someday.
Despite all the time I added to my 500, I'm not worried about zones. I think with taper, rest, etc. I will be faster than last year. It was good to do this meet because I needed a kick in the butt to focus more during my workouts. I'm excited about my 100 back and think that my college PR is somewhere in my future, but maybe not this year. Still, I'm excited for the Albatross Open in three weeks and then Zones in April.
Does anyone else have trouble with their first event of the meet? This is becoming a chronic problem that I have had for the last two years. I am always so wound up before the first event and do really bad, then am able to regroup and follow it up with good swims.
Julie:
Way to go! Those are a tough bunch of events for a short meet. I can't believe you got so little rest between the 2-IM and the 2-Fly. You are much braver than me. Great job on the 100 back! I have a feeling I will get outtouched again this year in that at Albatross -- or worse. I'm hoping to see you this Thursday. Eye infection all better. Great job!
Ok, here goes....
Does anyone else have trouble with their first event of the meet? This is becoming a chronic problem that I have had for the last two years. I am always so wound up before the first event and do really bad, then am able to regroup and follow it up with good swims.
Julie
Julie, normally I swim really well in my first event. In yesterday's meet however, I improved as I went along. I have convinced myself and my teammates that the first event for me (the 100 fly) didn't actually take place, they just skipped right over it. Ande would just die if he saw my splits, I was never relaxed and knew I was in trouble after the first oh ... 10 yards. :frustrated: I tried to calm down and relax and stretch my stroke out, but to no avail ... the worst 100 fly I have ever swum in terms of feel and maybe even the worst race, certainly my worst race in masters ...:dedhorse:
I ended the meet with a PR in the 100 free though so go figure ... :dunno:
Perhaps you didn't warm up quite enough?
Julie: Way to go! Those are a tough bunch of events for a short meet. I can't believe you got so little rest between the 2-IM and the 2-Fly. You are much braver than me. Great job on the 100 back! I have a feeling I will get outtouched again this year in that at Albatross -- or worse. I'm hoping to see you this Thursday. Eye infection all better. Great job!
Yeah, having less than 5 minuted in between 200 IM and 200 fly is not good. I was still breathing pretty heavy when I got up on the blocks for the 200 fly. I almost started doing breaststroke kick towards the end, which I had no idea was legal until I was telling Wally at practice tonight about my 200 fly. If only I had known!!! The 100 back was awesome...such a good feeling. Only 6 more seconds to break a minute :applaud:
I had a great workout tonight and was coming in on 1:05-1:07 for a set of 10 x 100 free. If only I could have done that YESTERDAY during my 500 free. Oh well, it was good to do some races and remember what it feel like to push yourself in a race.
See you at the pool! I'll be there Thursday. Are you definitely doing Albatross? Anyone else on the board doing Albatross besides Muppet? SwimmieAvsFan maybe?
So you're human, on any given day, anyone can lose, even Tiger Woods. If you are really perplexed about it and cannot isolate a pacing, conditioning or technique issue, consider the possibility that, deep down, you may just be bored with this event.
Good point. I guess what's bothering me is that I didn't even try. Where is that " killer instinct" that use to be there when I raced? I was in a "comfort zone" and wasn't willing to push past it. But enough of that. It's past now. Forget about it and look ahead to the next one.
It will be a bit shorter...by about 650y.:banana:
Actually I did swim the 200 fly a few times in college, but it definitely wasn't my best event. We had this one meet in mid-November where all of the freshman had to swim every event (200 BK, 200 BR, 200 Fly, 200 IM, 400 IM, 500 free, 1650 free) and it was a prelims/finals meet so unfortunately some of us, myself included, had to swim every event twice and coach wouldn't let us scratch anything. Fortunately the 1650 was in the middle of the day and only swum once. The 800 free relay was the last event and after we swam it at finals, we all were so exhausted that we could barely make it through dinner without falling asleep. It was torture, but definitely built some mental toughness.
Your College coach sounds pretty scarey Julie.....but maybe thats why your so tough as a Master's swimmer?....When you compare Master's meets to what you've already been thru in college, I can see how you might think almost anything seems doable compared to that! I had a really tough agegroup coach growing up that had us doing some pretty insane sets and yardage.....I just try to block it out of my mind now....LOL!!
Newmastersswimmer
...and it was your first 200 fly ever at that!
Actually I did swim the 200 fly a few times in college, but it definitely wasn't my best event. We had this one meet in mid-November where all of the freshman had to swim every event (200 BK, 200 BR, 200 Fly, 200 IM, 400 IM, 500 free, 1650 free) and it was a prelims/finals meet so unfortunately some of us, myself included, had to swim every event twice and coach wouldn't let us scratch anything. Fortunately the 1650 was in the middle of the day and only swum once. The 800 free relay was the last event and after we swam it at finals, we all were so exhausted that we could barely make it through dinner without falling asleep. It was torture, but definitely built some mental toughness.
I have generally had problems with my first event of a meet,espcially if it is a early AM event.One thing I have found that helps me is to take extra time with warmup and make sure I do a little sprinting in warmup.If I had a 500 for my first event though I'd skip warmup,swim the 500 for my warmup and then get ready for the meet. If I swam a hard 500 for my first event it would be my last event of the day.:help:
I have generally had problems with my first event of a meet,espcially if it is a early AM event.One thing I have found that helps me is to take extra time with warmup and make sure I do a little sprinting in warmup.If I had a 500 for my first event though I'd skip warmup,swim the 500 for my warmup and then get ready for the meet. If I swam a hard 500 for my first event it would be my last event of the day.:help:
:rofl: :rofl: I laugh because I agree ... I did the 500 once two years ago and acutally did use it as a warm-up (I might have done a 100 first to get a feel for the walls and water temp)
BLECH! Too long ...
Julie ...You are an animal!! I wouldn't have even been able to finish that 200 fly legaly with such short rest after a 200 IM!...and it was your first 200 fly ever at that! I am not worthy :bow: :bow: ....How can you swim so many tough events in a one day meet anyway! You must be tougher than nails! Note to self:....Never ever cross Julie on the discussion boards! Good Luck at Zones Julie!! You will swim an awesome 500 at zones ....I promise!!
Newmastersswimmer
