Trepidations about joining a masters team

RE: Trepidations about joining a masters team

Former Member — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 16:37:28 GMT

I am swimming with a team now, but it is a slap together team at my school. The guy that put it together is a former college swimmer/polo. My swimming has improved tremendously since I started with them, I just don't want my toes tapped all the time. Thanks for all the advice, I am going to get in touch with the person over FGC this week. I was hoping someone locally might see this and post some info on good teams. It is nice to know that everyone is supportive though, I was afraid of it being hard to break into.

RE: Trepidations about joining a masters team

Former Member — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 16:12:29 GMT

Thanks guys, I will check into things. I am just afraid of getting my butt kicked and biting pff more than I can chew.

RE: Trepidations about joining a masters team

Former Member — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 14:19:18 GMT

I understand what you're saying, Geek, but I also understand TN Boy's trepidation. I'm getting closer to the point where I can join a master's workout, and I too am nervous about not being able to keep up in the slow lane. You're a strong and experienced swimmer; you could (not that you would necessarily) move down a lane if you had to. I'm excited at the challenge, but also nervous about biting off more than I can chew.

RE: Trepidations about joining a masters team

aquageek — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 12:29:14 GMT

Actually, I think the longer you wait, the harder you'll kick yourself for not jumping in sooner once you do eventually take the plunge. Skip That's what I was intending to say but you said it much better.

RE: Trepidations about joining a masters team

chlorini — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 12:23:14 GMT

I've been trying to convince my mom that she can join my Masters team, and she has many of the same concerns. I sincerely believe it when I tell her that there is a place for everyone in Masters. Even if you couldn't quite keep up in the slowest lane when you started, everyone would still welcome and encourage you. Masters is about self-improvement from wherever you start. You could swim 50s while the others swam 100s at first, for example. Or you could start with 30 minutes only. Or you could wear fins on some sets to help you keep up. People will embrace you for being brave, challenging yourself, and working hard at whatever pace is right for you. You can both do it!

RE: Trepidations about joining a masters team

smontanaro — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 12:01:07 GMT

Actually, I think the longer you wait, the harder you'll kick yourself for not jumping in sooner once you do eventually take the plunge. ;) Our team has people who swim repeat 100s on 1:15 intervals (or faster) and others who need a 2:00 or longer interval. Some have just completed their collegiate careers (or are in college and could be swimming at the collegiate level but choose not to). Others use it simply as a route to better fitness and never swim in meets. We also have triathletes, sprinters and folks who specialize in long distance (open water, postal swims, etc). Trust me. There is a lane for you to swim in. Skip

RE: Trepidations about joining a masters team

aquageek — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 10:44:06 GMT

The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be for you to jump in with a team. I have yet to see a USMS team turn anyone away. You will immediately be welcomed and your swimming will improve dramatically with the encouragement of teammates, who will also push you harder than you push yourself.

RE: Trepidations about joining a masters team

aquageek — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 09:25:00 GMT

Thanks guys, I will check into things. I am just afraid of getting my butt kicked and biting pff more than I can chew. I think this is my favorite part of a Masters swim practice (or workout, as gull prefers saying). I think it is the constant butt kicking and surviving even after I bit off more than I can chew that brings me back day after day.

RE: Trepidations about joining a masters team

Rob Copeland — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 08:55:28 GMT

Nothing to be afraid of… Getting your butt kicked in a workout, maybe Biting off more than you can chew, talk to the coach and see what they can do to help you set and reach swimming goals in manageable bites. Most of all enjoy swimming for life!

RE: Trepidations about joining a masters team

Former Member — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 06:37:36 GMT

chlorini;89269 I've been trying to convince my mom that she can join my Masters team, and she has many of the same concerns. Take her to watch one of those meets where there you know there will be 80 and 90 years-old participants (either gender); those who are still in the water when their heat-mates (you know what I mean) have had time to change back into their street clothes, but they (the octo- or nonagerians) are still in the water and finish their distance. And then, let her hear the thunder of applause :applaud: these people get (more than the 30-year old in the same heat got when he/she finished a full length ahead of everybody else.) In Masters, as you all know, everyone is welcomed and encouraged (even the borderline obnoxious .......)

RE: Trepidations about joining a masters team

Former Member — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 06:11:30 GMT

Thank you Geek, Skip, Chlorini and Dorothy. I will let you know how it works out. Barb

RE: Trepidations about joining a masters team

aztimm — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 05:54:41 GMT

I had exactly the same concerns before I joined a masters team, back in 1998. I had been swimming on my own for years, but the thought of joining a team gave me the same feelings, I couldn't keep up, do the distance, etc. I had never swam with an organized swim team before I started masters swimming. When I finally joined the team (my first masters team was the U of A team in Tucson), I was shocked at the different levels of swimmers represented. I wasn't in the slowest lane, but started very conservatively. Within 3-4 months, I had moved up 2-3 lanes. What drives me today is the whole team environment. Not just the coach giving the workout (we have several coaches who vary from giving the workout and taking a chair to one who harps over you at each set to make intervals), but the other swimmers in my lane or nearby lanes. When I miss a day (it happens once in a while), someone will tell me how I missed quite a set. There are official team events, but also some get together for a quick visit to Starbucks after our morning workouts. I think the title, "Masters Swimming," creates a misconception to swimmers out there who think they have to be at a collegiate or some sort of level to join. Even now I'll get questions/comments at work or elsewhere and people are amazed at the different levels of swimming represented on my team.

RE: Trepidations about joining a masters team

dorothyrde — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 01:54:27 GMT

I remember the same feelings when I joined. I was in the slowest lane and had trouble keeping up. I just monitored myself, would skip reps or use fins. I improved quite a bit that first year, and by the end of the second was nudging the fast lane(although our fast lane was not that fast). Just try it, understand that you won't be able to do everything at first, but that you will build and get better.

RE: Trepidations about joining a masters team

Former Member — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 15:25:20 GMT

Most masters’ teams will let you visit a practice for free. You will probably find them all very similar and welcoming. You will probably know from visiting a practice and chatting with the coach which team is right for you. While the LMSC web for your area is probably the most up-to-date, you can also get a lot of information from the USMS web. To find your LMSC start with: http://www.usms.org/lmsc/

RE: Trepidations about joining a masters team

Rob Copeland — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 11:07:48 GMT

West Palm is in the Florida Gold Coast LMSC check out the following web site www.fgcmasters.org and contact Debbie Cavanaugh the LMSC chair for more specifics. Her email address and phone can be found on the web site.

RE: Trepidations about joining a masters team

smontanaro — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 10:05:02 GMT

Find a team or three and try them out: www.floridalmsc.org/Clubs.htm. I live in Evanston, IL (pop ~ 80k). There are three masters teams in Evanston (each one has a different character) and many more if I wanted to venture into Chicago or points west. I'm sure you'll find a team that fill fit your needs. Heck, you'll probably get to swim outside year-round! Skip