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.
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.
Don't worry, Nancy! Just go! Everyone is very supportive. And no one really cares how fast or slow you go. My two year masters' anniversary is June 1. I swam unattached for most of my first year, not joining a team until 13 months ago. I went to all my first meets alone. And I had terrible trouble diving in. I lost my goggles several times. I had to crawl out of the pool twice (contacts) and got DQ'd. But I liked competing nonetheless. It is much more fun, however, now that I know people. :wave:
Like Kirk and Jeff, the meets help focus my training and prevent me from slacking off too much.
I would love to compete much more than I do, but the reason I don't (Peter, be quiet) is ... no secret ... kids, kids, kids. My kids have tons of sports events on the weekends that prevent me from going to many meets (even nationals). I usually, not always, have to miss something of theirs when I go -- which I don't do too often. But I am planning to blow off one of my kid's swim meets on July 1. Have to go to Muppet's meet!!
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.
Don't worry, Nancy! Just go! Everyone is very supportive. And no one really cares how fast or slow you go. My two year masters' anniversary is June 1. I swam unattached for most of my first year, not joining a team until 13 months ago. I went to all my first meets alone. And I had terrible trouble diving in. I lost my goggles several times. I had to crawl out of the pool twice (contacts) and got DQ'd. But I liked competing nonetheless. It is much more fun, however, now that I know people. :wave:
Like Kirk and Jeff, the meets help focus my training and prevent me from slacking off too much.
I would love to compete much more than I do, but the reason I don't (Peter, be quiet) is ... no secret ... kids, kids, kids. My kids have tons of sports events on the weekends that prevent me from going to many meets (even nationals). I usually, not always, have to miss something of theirs when I go -- which I don't do too often. But I am planning to blow off one of my kid's swim meets on July 1. Have to go to Muppet's meet!!
