I did it & now my stomach is in knots!

You are very brave, if I go into a masters workout I still slip into the beginner group.

George, you are being far too modest.

I'll find out soon enough next week. But, that's the beauty of being an adult, I don't have to do anything I don't want to do. So if the Coach is a tyrant, I'll just won't come back. :thhbbb:I told a Masters coach we had that once. She was getting on me about not doing backstroke flip turns, which I was just not ready for yet. I told her I was an adult and I would learn the turn when I was darn well ready for it. She left me alone, and I learned the turn at my own pace. I hope this coach is not like what I suggested, but the low numbers may indicate that. Kids want to have fun, and not succeeding day in and day out is not fun.

That's great that you're giving it a try! I wish you good vibes/good swimming! I'm wondering if also the coach is so used to talking to kids who have fooled around a lot that she's using a tone that's habitual for those kids, and when she sees you're pretty serious, she'll respect that. I've been fortunate in the masters' coaches I've worked with. If they're hands-on, they're also very constructive and helpful in their comments. Had a couple who were pretty hands-off, but when they did give feedback, again, it was constructive, and they didn't make me feel (as they easily could have) dismissed b/c of my (lack of) speed. But I'm a relative newcomer to the masters' swimming scene, so I'm not going to suggest that my experience is the norm. Anyway, as you mention, if you don't like the coach's leadership style, you can "vote with your feet." Good luck in your venture! I thought it an act of bravery just to join a masters' swim group. It'll take me way, way more time before I reach the point of joining an age group team! :eek:

Boy, that coach sure does foster team unity. I have seen coaches who do this in age group. The work-out is written for the fastest, and the kids who are slower never, ever make a set, the whole year and it is very, very discouraging for the kids. Age group should have tiered work-outs, because within a group there is always a variance from top National level swimmers to the kid who is swimming 4 days a week for fun and exercise. This coaches mentality loses the bottom kids eventually, and since there are more of them then the high caliber, you lose a good portion of your team. Plus I think you lose the gift that is swimming, that people of varying abilities can do it, enjoy it, and improve within their ability.

Dorothy, I couldn't agree more. I usually take written comments like those made in email forms with a HUGE grain of salt, so I am not reading anything into that comment until I actually get to a practice. However, that may explain why there are very few swimmers in this area and after doing some research on meet results from last summer, this team really has no standouts. The team with all the good swimmers is the same pool where the closest masters team swims. On the other hand, I posted the coach's comment out of context and I feel it necessary to explain where it came from. I sent the Coach an email introducing myself, explaining that I belong to USMS and USS and am trying to regain some of the speed I had 26 years ago. I wanted to downplay my ability so all I said was that my recent race times would qualify under the "C" qualifying times for USS (the slowest). So, perhaps the Coach just felt it fair to let me know that this is not going to be a cake walk. I'll find out soon enough next week. But, that's the beauty of being an adult, I don't have to do anything I don't want to do. So if the Coach is a tyrant, I'll just won't come back.

So Susan, how did it go? I hope all was fun and well. I thought about you this morning while I was in my age group practice and wished the coach would give us the next set faster. I'm one of the faster onees and some times the slower ones are hard to wait for, but we do. Alison

Thanks Alison! The jury is still out regarding my opinion of the coaching staff. However, the Coach that sent me the email message was extremely friendly and was genuinely happy to have me. She told me that she would love to start a Masters Program in my area. However, the first thing out of the Assist Coach's mouth was "just how old are you?" To which I replied, "How old are YOU?" I would compare the swim team to a summer league team. There were no more then 4-5 "serious" swimmers and the rest seemed to be there because it was something to do. I think the coach's stop the set when the fastest kid finishes so they don't have to come up with separate workouts for different speeds/ages. The evening practice includes all age groups. The morning practices are divided up according to speed, but my work schedule is such that a.m. practices don't work out. (no pun intended). The workouts were completely different then the ones I use on this website. When I swim on my own, I'm usually out of breath and working hard, but don't swim more then 3200 yards. This first workout, I don't think I swam "hard" but I definitely swam more yardage - around 4000 or a little more. I can certainly feel it in my arms today, but just a little muscle soreness, nothing bad. The best part was that the high school where we swim is less then 5 mins from my house. Surprisingly, the kids either didn't really notice me (goggles are great at hiding the laugh lines) or they didn't care because only 2 kids had any reaction to my presence.

Congrats on getting through it and enjoying it. I know what you mean about doing more yardage but not necessarily harder. I have days like that with my age group. I've been with them since Sept and only 3 kids have asked me my age. One girl asked "what grade are you in?". I tried to add it up in my head but stopped around grade 20 (counting from college on). When I tell them I'm 36, most are shocked. I'm only 1 year younger than the coach I swim for! When do you go back? Alison

Greetings from beautiful Seattle! I'm here for my niece's high school graduation. I'm off to the local pool for a workout and my next age group workout will be on Tuesday after I get home. I must say, it is great motivation to get my laps in while visiting so I can keep up with the kiddies. Cheers!