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.
FMIF:
Definitely go for it! Our IL State meet is HUGE, often larger than the Colonies Zones meets, and many people on my team make it their first (or only one of the year) masters meet! I think you actually stick out a lot less at larger meets... kind of like blending into the crowd. That's where I got the courage to try my first 400 IM and 1000 free. Plus, larger meets are more likely to have teammates and forum friends in attendance, all of whom will cheer you on with much gusto. :-) And, at big meets, the other folks that you don't know are more likely to be lost in their own psyche up/out world.
You see people starting from in the water at meets of all levels. If you want to try going off the block, you can also hold a teammates hand as you get up on the block (usually the 'shakiest' part of the enterprise.) Good luck and I hope you go for it!
Carrie
FMIF:
Definitely go for it! Our IL State meet is HUGE, often larger than the Colonies Zones meets, and many people on my team make it their first (or only one of the year) masters meet! I think you actually stick out a lot less at larger meets... kind of like blending into the crowd. That's where I got the courage to try my first 400 IM and 1000 free. Plus, larger meets are more likely to have teammates and forum friends in attendance, all of whom will cheer you on with much gusto. :-) And, at big meets, the other folks that you don't know are more likely to be lost in their own psyche up/out world.
You see people starting from in the water at meets of all levels. If you want to try going off the block, you can also hold a teammates hand as you get up on the block (usually the 'shakiest' part of the enterprise.) Good luck and I hope you go for it!
Carrie
