Very first meet EVER! Help please!!!!

RE: Very first meet EVER! Help please!!!!

Former Member — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 14:37:45 GMT

FindingMyInnerFish - thank you for your very smart thougths! Means a lot! I'll keep you guys posted about my meet!!!!! :banana:

RE: Very first meet EVER! Help please!!!!

FindingMyInnerFish — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 07:29:10 GMT

Thank you all!!!!!:notworthy: :notworthy: FindingMyInnerFish - I don't think you are a "grandma"! Sorry if that came out a wrong way!!!! Not to worry! I figured you were just quoting someone else, not expressing your own opinion. Anyway, I do this for fun, no matter! Grandma power, ha! :groovy: Good luck in your meet! Let us know how it goes! Maybe sometime I'll even take courage in hand and try a block dive sometime. But whatever I decide, I'm good with it.

RE: Very first meet EVER! Help please!!!!

Former Member — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 16:37:01 GMT

Gerdrick - For giggles I looked at the qualifying times for nationals. My times would certainly qualify me - if I were 30 years older! :rofl::rofl::rofl:

RE: Very first meet EVER! Help please!!!!

Former Member — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 15:46:24 GMT

Well, I let others more in the know answer those questions Gerdrick, but wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying as well as learning from your post. It has been ----- decades ------- since I have dived from anything let alone the "blocks". I've never been afraid of diving, but the "blocks" thing has me wondering! :dunno: I think the only opportunity I would even have to try this will be finding a master's team to swim with, which I have not found yet. Then again, the suggestion to try out the local high school pool might be an option. I'll have to keep that in mind. Keep on asking those questions, and keep us updated on all that you do!!!:wiggle:

RE: Very first meet EVER! Help please!!!!

Former Member — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 15:24:38 GMT

Thank you all!!!!!:notworthy: :notworthy: FindingMyInnerFish - I don't think you are a "grandma"! Sorry if that came out a wrong way!!!! So, I think this is what I'll do: I will try the blocks and if it doesn't work -will go from the side! I will concentrate on my own technique and speed and not worry about other people (even though I am pretty competitive in every day life) and I will (or at least try as much as I can) to have fun! :banana: If you all don't mind, here are a few more questions: What are good exercises to do on land? Should I stick to Masters work outs for the next 3 weeks (which are mostly FR) or do mainly preparation workouts with all BR? What distance is better to do 50 or 100? I am a pretty good sprinter but not too fast on turns...any advice? :coffee: Thanks again!!!!!

RE: Very first meet EVER! Help please!!!!

Former Member — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 15:11:50 GMT

Allen Stark - Thanks for the advice!

RE: Very first meet EVER! Help please!!!!

Former Member — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 14:35:40 GMT

Hi Gerdrick, See...I told you that you'd get a nice flurry of warm welcomes and support.;) And to answer your question...mosts meets are done by time...not by age. Unless it's a big championship meet like Nationals. That said...it's conceivable for a "20 something" to be seeded next to an 80 year old. A girl (lady on our team) in the 45-49 group has a long standing nemesis in the 80 plus division in the 50 ***. It's very funny to see her get all psyched up about racing in the same heat for fear of humiliation. Don't pay any attention to the grandma comment. Maybe in jest this was said to inspire you to try starting from the blocks. Just tighten up the goggles and do it. No one will be watching despite what you may think.

RE: Very first meet EVER! Help please!!!!

Former Member — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 12:30:02 GMT

Gerdrick - For giggles I looked at the qualifying times for nationals. My times would certainly qualify me - if I were 30 years older! :rofl::rofl::rofl: Hey!!!! Same here!!!!!! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: If only could get 10 sec off my time....oh well, some day I hope to do that! :wiggle:

RE: Very first meet EVER! Help please!!!!

Allen Stark — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 08:51:38 GMT

Re: preparation for the meet. Is this your only meet for awhile,if so see all the threads about tapering.Certainly do enough BR to feel comfortable with what you are swimming in the meet,but if you are doing mostly free in workout don't change to too much BR too soon or you'll hurt your knees. As to whether to enter the 50 or the 100,do both and then you'll have a better idea of which is your best. If you feel competent to finish it,enter the 200 BR as fewer people will be entering it.

RE: Very first meet EVER! Help please!!!!

FindingMyInnerFish — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 07:30:11 GMT

Well, I guess I'm a "grandma" b/c I have gone off the side and started from the water. I practiced block dives, but in my few meets, I was still too uneasy to do them in an actual race, and ppl assured me that it was fine to start either in the water or off the side. Sure I'll eventually give the blocks a try in a meet but since I was doing the meets for fun (and my times won't set the world on fire ... the opposite, I think), I thought it better to start within my comfort zone and do my best, not worry about what anyone else was doing. I remember taking a weight training class, and the instructor reminding us all the time, "this is YOUR workout. Don't be intimidated by the people benching 100-200 pounds. You're here for you, not them." That's what I try to take into any swim or run workout, race, meet, although sometimes I do better w/ that than other times. If someone wants to say I'm a grandma, that's their problem! I think it's cool you're doing a meet. Don't let anyone mess w/ your mind!

RE: Very first meet EVER! Help please!!!!

Former Member — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 17:39:38 GMT

I only just got into competitions in January. Trust me, when I say you'll be fine. Just breathe easy. Get on the blocks relax and think about how you're going to tear up the pool. Push your goggles in so they airlock (I forgot this step--lol) reach down grab the fom of the block when they tell you to set. Hold. When the beep goes, launch yourself and begin pulling into the streamline position, ticked head hands on top of each other. If you can dive from the edge you can dive from the block. Also like Allen suggested if you feel the dive will be a worrisome thing. Advise the officals that you want to push off. Hop in and start from a push...give it all you can on that first push and streamline tight. Remember this: As a breaststroker you already have a leg up on the other stroke swimmers because only the gifted can do ***. Ask anyone ;) I think you'll do fine. If you do dive, just don't over think it at this stage--get off the blocks and into the water as smooth as you can.

RE: Very first meet EVER! Help please!!!!

Former Member — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 17:36:56 GMT

Try contacting your local High School or College swim coach. They may let you practice your starts. That's what I did, at the "Y' you can't dive, so I go up to the HS and practice my starts. The coach should give you pointers if needed. You'll may be surprised how helpful they are and willing to let you practice. Don't be afraid to ask, all they can say is "no" and I hear that all the time, it's "yes" you have to worry about. Because that means you really have to do something then. Good Luck....

RE: Very first meet EVER! Help please!!!!

Former Member — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 16:47:17 GMT

If it's a small enough meet then you may be the only one in your age division, and since you don't have any times to post, you'll be in the slower heats. Maybe as a strategy, you could take it easy on your events, swim nice and easy, and then at your next meet go all out - then brag about how much progress you've made. :D Well....I am "jumping" right into a pretty big one...South Central Zone SCY Championships! Crazy, ha?! Anyway, you guys are the best! If most people at the meet are as nice as you are, I should do it as much as I can!!! :) One of the guys I swim with told me that this meet is set by time not by age....is that possible? So if I am pretty slow I can be swimming side by side a 90 or an 18 year old? I know that on an application form I need to enter my seed time, is that what it's for? I am a bit confused about it.......The same guy told me that only "grandmas" start from the wall or jump off the side....he is very nice but this comment really messed me up. Sorry I have so many question! Thanks again for all the help! :notworthy:

RE: Very first meet EVER! Help please!!!!

Former Member — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 16:39:06 GMT

You are very welcome. It's all about experiencing fun...not fear. Don't confuse adrenaline with that. I will admit though...my heart pounds every time I look at a race application. So the only way I can practice is with my private coach from the side of the pool....... This is great, You should be able to practice the starts with no problems. ;)

RE: Very first meet EVER! Help please!!!!

Former Member — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 16:22:50 GMT

I say relax and go for it Gerdrick. I bet you will will really enjoy this new experience and become hooked on it (as quicksilver said) after that first meet is under your belt. Make sure to let us know how it went too. I wish you the best of luck! Oh yaeh....its only natural to be nervous about a new experience...but that is also what makes it soo exciting too! Newmastersswimmer!

RE: Very first meet EVER! Help please!!!!

Former Member — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 16:10:20 GMT

Thank you so much for your reply! The problem is that our club is a non divin club :rolleyes: . So the only way I can practice is with my private coach from the side of the pool....... Anyway, thanks again for your support! :hug:

RE: Very first meet EVER! Help please!!!!

Former Member — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 16:03:46 GMT

It sounds like your coach was trying to calm your nerves. Humor can help make light of things. Anyway...it will help you to know that everyone is nervous for their first meet...no matter how many they did in their past lives. Over the past few seasons I've done my best to recruit fellow swimmers to sign up ...regardless of their experience level. The only thing they seemed to have a little nerves about were the starting block. A long story short, everyone had a super time...and were actually surprised to see the majority of swimmers were just like themselves. Not everyone is in the elite group...and not everyone comes off the blocks with grace and agility.:) It will certainly boost your confidence to get a feel for the start...and that said...try working on them in the next few weeks. Maybe all it takes will be 3 or 4 dives after the end of each practice. Have a great time...and I'm sure you will feel at ease to hear from others who had shared your current feelings. Trust me when I say you will become hooked after your first meet.

RE: Very first meet EVER! Help please!!!!

Allen Stark — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 12:32:07 GMT

They will almost certainly open a sprint lane during warmups and you can work on your starts then. If it feels too intimidating you can start from the side.No one will care.Of couse you'll get butterflies in your stomach before the swims,thats natural.Visualize your swims for several minutes before the race Go through the whole thing in your mind including stepping up to the block. then swim.Enjoy your experience. You'll find the people are great.

RE: Very first meet EVER! Help please!!!!

Former Member — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 12:29:55 GMT

I swam at my first meet three years ago and had never dived off the blocks until the practice session. I explained my plight while waiting in line (and shaking like a leaf) and several people offered to help and actually coached me through it! I did my races without losing my goggles and felt a tremendous relief at having survived. I must say that before my first race I was so nervous that I felt sick, but the second race was almost enjoyable. Ultimately, I decided that since I'm a distance swimmer (the 500 is my shortest race), I would just dive in from the side. It reduces my stress level considerably and my coach says that in the longer races and at my level, it won't make much difference in my times. Heck, I won my heat last year diving from the side. Even at the larger meets I see others diving from the side or doing pool starts, so I wouldn't drive yourself crazy over it. I am continually amazed by how friendly other people are at the meets. Not many people from my club compete and I really appreciate all the help I've received from people who are strangers. Good luck and have fun!

RE: Very first meet EVER! Help please!!!!

Former Member — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 12:01:41 GMT

Gerdrick and Ensignada, I look forward to hearing about your first meet!! I have yet to do one, and for this moment am not planning any -- none around that I know of --- but I want to hear every detail from you two. It will be my lesson number one! Cheers to you for doing it, and have fun!!!!!! Thanks, Nancy, but I just made my decision and won't be trying it until I've trained for it. I think I'll take Rich's advice and pick an event and work at it. I'm ready to work toward something new.

RE: Very first meet EVER! Help please!!!!

indyswimbag — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 11:37:41 GMT

gerdrick Was the 1st meet by any chance today? I am in houston and just did a meet over in Rice, or are you talking about Zones in a few weekends, if you have a place that will let you dive in I would be happy to help with the diving thing..I also suffer from MAJOR nerves too and have been swimming for the better part of 16yrs. I think that havng a little nervous energy is a good thing. Don't worry about the nerves and I am glad that you have entered the realm of meets GOOD for YOU!:D

RE: Very first meet EVER! Help please!!!!

Former Member — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 08:51:30 GMT

RE: Very first meet EVER! Help please!!!!

Former Member — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 08:29:48 GMT

Hi everyone! I am planning to go to my very first (all of my life, I was never a swimmer) meet this month...and am freaking out already!!!!! Maybe I should back out before it's too late? See, I am not all that fast and have never performed a start dive from a block.:shakeshead: Our Master's coach is not all that great, he is a nice man just as a coach I don't think I benefit all that much. To my question of how to make my breaststroke faster his response was "Drink more coffee"!!!:frustrated: I did get a private coach to help me but not sure if that's enough..... What should I do? Are all the odds against me? I was looking forward to this meet when it was 2-3 months away, but now......The meet is in 3 weeks..... Help!!!!!:notworthy: How exciting... Just relax and enjoy it, there is as much pressure as you want there to be at a masters meet, you have control of it. It's one of the most supportive environments you can imagine. Just have fun and remember that every swim you do at your first meet will be a personal best! JS

RE: Very first meet EVER! Help please!!!!

Former Member — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 08:03:29 GMT

Thank you all so VERY much for all your support and help! I feel a bit better! I have contacted one of the meet officials and he said that I even could come out on Friday before the meet (when long distance swim is going on) and practice my dives, so I think I'll do that! Also, one of the coaches from Rice University agreed to a private lesson on dives BUT I am not sure I can afford $80.00 an hour...:rolleyes: Thanks for the idea about HS pools! I'll keep you all posted of what's going on with my first ever meet and preparations to it! Thanks again! "Remember this: As a breaststroker you already have a leg up on the other stroke swimmers because only the gifted can do ***. Ask anyone" - Thanks.... Catherine P.S. Is anyone participating in the same meet? March 23-35 in Houston, TX?

RE: Very first meet EVER! Help please!!!!

Former Member — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 07:36:35 GMT

It may help if you think of your first meet as just practice for your later meets. You'll still be learning how a meet works and how to race. This first meet will give you an idea how fast you are now, so later you can see how much you've improved. The slower you are now, the more potential you have to improve! If you can, go with a friend who has swum in meets before and can help you make sure you do what you're supposed to do and get to your lane in time to race.