The other day I was walking to my car when I noticed the car parked next to me had a vanity license plate "SWIMFLY". I walked up to the man driving the car and we started talking about swimming and competing.
He said he swam at Nationals in 2001 and he was waiting until he turned 60 to swim at another meet. I told him that he should go to more meets because they are really fun. This guy is a really great swimmer. He still holds the State record in all of the butterfly events and he won the majority of his races at nationals.
This got me thinking - what is it that is keeping swimmers from entering races? I realize there are a ton of fitness swimmers who don't want to compete and I understand that. But beyond that what is the reason?
For me personally, I waited to enter my first meet because I didn't think I was fast enough and I didn't want to be embarrassed. I am so sorry it took me so long to go to a race - I think they are really fun.
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Former Member
I'm simply trying to get my nerve up to swim in a meet:violin: It would help if I had someone to go with me as support!! I also need to see if I can still dive:whiteflag: into the pool. It has been YEARS (decades actually) since I have done that, and I have not had an opportunity to do so anywhere.
After having recently been a volunteer at Nationals, I realize that I can do this swim meet thing (slowly, but oh well), :shakeshead: and no one laughs at anyone. and there is quite a variety of abilities and speed as well as sizes, shapes and ages. Now I just need to find one that is nearby and will fit into my schedule! Another thing I have been "waiting" for is to perhaps join a master's team to get more experience and better training (me as my own trainer only gets me so far) but there is not a team that swims at a time of day and is close enough for me to get to. The time of day will soon change as I am nearing retirement, and will be finding a team to work out with after this summer.
I am quite interested in trying my first meet and seeing where it goes from there. So I appreciate reading all your stories and support for we who have yet to do so.
I'm simply trying to get my nerve up to swim in a meet:violin: It would help if I had someone to go with me as support!! I also need to see if I can still dive:whiteflag: into the pool. It has been YEARS (decades actually) since I have done that, and I have not had an opportunity to do so anywhere.
After having recently been a volunteer at Nationals, I realize that I can do this swim meet thing (slowly, but oh well), :shakeshead: and no one laughs at anyone. and there is quite a variety of abilities and speed as well as sizes, shapes and ages. Now I just need to find one that is nearby and will fit into my schedule! Another thing I have been "waiting" for is to perhaps join a master's team to get more experience and better training (me as my own trainer only gets me so far) but there is not a team that swims at a time of day and is close enough for me to get to. The time of day will soon change as I am nearing retirement, and will be finding a team to work out with after this summer.
I am quite interested in trying my first meet and seeing where it goes from there. So I appreciate reading all your stories and support for we who have yet to do so.
