I am considering doing a couple events at the Colonies Zone meet at Rutgers, but I have to admit to being a little concerned about the following:
1. I'm a slow swimmer, and while this has not stopped me from going into smaller, low-key meets, I don't know how it would work for a championship meet. The events I'm considering are the 100 and/or 200 free, and the best I've done in the 100 is something in the low 2 mins., for the 200, 4:21 or 4:22. I recently had a coach do a video analysis of my stroke and he made some very helpful suggestions, but of course I don't look for miracles by December 8. Obviously I want to improve on these times, but would I be totally out of my league in a Zone meet like this? Or are there others getting aroudn these same times (hey, it's okay if those others are 95... just don't want to be totally by myself in the pool as the officials look nervously from their watches to me and back).
2. I know I have to get past my anxiety about getting on the starting block--I've done some dives in practice but not recently... and when I did, I felt very uncomfortable, always afraid I'd slip. In past meets I've done either in-water starts or at most would dive off the side of the pool, but maybe that's kind of dorky for a championship meet. Not that I've ever let the dorkiness of a particular choice stop me if I feel it's the best choice for me... ;) But just in case I decide to try the starting block, do any of you have tips on (a) keeping the nerves under control and (b) getting a safe, not too awful looking dive? Coordination has never been one of my strengths, but I do want to be open to trying things that don't feel comfortable.
Thanks for the input! btw, I'm going to meet with the above-mentioned coach for a few more sessions. He's terrific! Maybe I could ask him to talk me through some starts.
Relax and do the meet. You'll be fine with your times. Yes, there will be people there who are faster but there will be slower people, too. It doesn't matter, though. This is masters swimming - all are welcome no matter your speed!
As for the blocks, I have issues with them lately, too. I feel like I'm going to fall off. If you don't want to start from them, dive from the deck. It is perfectly legal. You can start from in the pool but if you can dive from the deck, do it. There will be people there starting from the deck as well as those starting from in the water.
As for anxiety - take deep breaths. If it helps, picture your race in your head before you get near the blocks. I usually do this to calm myself down.
And most of all enjoy the meet!
Alison
Relax and do the meet. You'll be fine with your times. Yes, there will be people there who are faster but there will be slower people, too. It doesn't matter, though. This is masters swimming - all are welcome no matter your speed!
As for the blocks, I have issues with them lately, too. I feel like I'm going to fall off. If you don't want to start from them, dive from the deck. It is perfectly legal. You can start from in the pool but if you can dive from the deck, do it. There will be people there starting from the deck as well as those starting from in the water.
As for anxiety - take deep breaths. If it helps, picture your race in your head before you get near the blocks. I usually do this to calm myself down.
And most of all enjoy the meet!
Alison
