I am used to being the slowest in my age group. I think I was seeded the slowest in all of my events at SC Nationals.
And I've come in last in so many open water swims that I've lost count. There are some advantages to that, though. They usually have escort canoes or kayaks stationed along the course. They paddle in behind the last swimmer. If I know that I'm last, I just tell one of the paddlers to "stay on my left and paddle in a straight line to the finish." That way I don't ever have to lift my head to see where I'm going.
Also, remember that without the swimmers like you and me, those fast swimmers wouldn't look NEARLY so good... :)
Anna Lea
Thank you guys!!!! You are the greatest! :angel:
Just a bit more info about me...well, this is going to be my second meet EVER and the first LCM EVER. I got seriously into swimming 2 years ago, but growing up in a country where you HAD to be first at whatever you do imprinted this idea in my head that is best quoted from one of my favorite movies: "If you're not first, you're last". I need to work on my attitude!;)
imspoiled I'll try to look for you!
Thanks everyone!:wave:
Great attitude, Bridget! Good luck! :bouncing: If everyone waited around for their training to be perfect, we'd never swim meets. I haven't done much LCM training either, and I'm giving it a go at zones. Wish I could have gotten to Nats to meet the folks there.
Everyone knows what DFL means ... what Jeff said!
Except me! Can someone PM me or explain it in family friendly terms?
My first Nationals was at the Woodlands in 1990 so this is sort of my "come full circle" Nationals. I'm at the top of my age group and not swimming very well right now. As Fort so aptly said, if we only raced when we were at our best we wouldn't be entering very many meets. So I wouldn't think of staying home. It's my opportunity to visit with the many friends I've made at Nationals over the past 18 years.
I met you briefly at your first meet. I watched your breaststroke event and introduced myself before Ande took you to the warm-up lanes for some pointers. As you can already tell from the discussion forum, masters swimmers are a very friendly, non-judgemental group. I am also with the Texas branch of Indy Swim Fit. Look for Bridget and me poolside.
Just swim for yourself, do your best and, most of all, have fun!!!!
It seems like the psych sheets did the exact opposite for you. Don't let your placing on a list get you down.
Make your first goal be to achieve personal bests. Your second goal should be to not get DFL on your events. This is a family thread, so I won't tell you what "DFL" is if you don't know.
The best thing about masters is no one ever laughs at the person who finishes last. If you're a teenager at a USAS nationals, you're often forced to walk back to the hotel for getting DFL. At masters, your team cheers for you -- for finishing.
So don't be nervous about what will happen. Just have fun.
So Jeff was avoiding DFL the inspiration for your SCY Nats performance and subsequent "USMS Swiimer" centre-fold photo shoot?
;)
:laugh2:
I was just rereading everyones responses and noticed that you are here in Houston gerdrick....where I am inside the loop down by kirby/dunlavy...do you practice with a group or on your own? if you ever wanted a training buddy feel free to look me up....:wave:
Karlene Thank you! Sorry if I don't remember "your face" - my first meet was like a blur, but I do remember talking to you! Thanks for being so nice! I'll look for you at the meet!!! ;)
indyswimbag I train by myself now at MAC (Memorial and Dairy Ashford area) and also swim at UofH 2 mornings a week with a private instructor when they have 50 meter set up and the blocks.
I would LOVE a training buddy!!!!!!! Thank you! Are you going to the Nat?
