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.
Former Member
I am going all 3 days. on saturday i am doing the 400 IM, 100 free, 50 back, and 200 free. I never did an IM in a race and I am trying all 3 over the course of that weekend. The 400 Im should be interesting. If I can finish the butterfly legally then I should be fine. See you there!!
FMIF-
I agree with Alison. You'll be fine. Likely not the fastest or the slowest, so just go out there and do your best.
Not sure what part of Philly you're in, but if you're willing to go as far as Rutgers, there are more meets in the area beginning in January. Phoenixville Y has a nice SCM meet in January, and there's a SCY meet at the Boyertown Y.
Check out www.dvmasters.org/events.php for local meets.
Hope to see you at Rutgers!
Dana
I think you'll be very satisfied with yourself after the meet. You should do it. It is an accomlishment to RACE as a mature adult instead of sitting on the couch watching TV.
As for the blocks.... I suggest not worrying AT ALL about being fast off the block. Much of the stress of a start is the tension while you are waiting for the beep, then trying to go fast. Think instead about just getting in the water cleanly with your head down and your hands together. Practice of course before the meet and during warmup. You might even practice a few starts early in warmup before the line develops so you can take your time. The water should be plenty deep for a Zones meet so you won't have to worry about going too deep.
I just swam this weekend at the GRIN Fall Classic which is part of the TYR Grand Prix Series. It was a good size meet and a few National records were broken. There were a few people that started in the water.
Just go have fun and do your best. You will be glad you did.
Just a small hint about a mistake a lot of people make at meets. When you are behind the block wiating for your heat to start you will hear whistles from the officials. The first whistle is for people (the heat before) to clear the pool the 2nd whistle is for you to get on the block or up to the edge or in the water, which ever the case may be.
I've noticed around VA meets, a lot of people get up on the block on the 1st whistle and that's not correct.
I for one try to be one of the first up on the blocks so I have time to set feet and play around a bit with foot position. As for getting up on the first whistle, the last time I did that was when it was taking a while for that first whistle to occur. I wanted to get up and set my feet and all, so I did, and got yelled at :p Usually, I'll step up on the step at the first whistle, and then have a head start when the second one happens.
There are plenty of people who jump in the water for backstroke at the wrong whistle.
Oh, I thought the first whistle was to step up and the second one was just a breathy reaction to the sight of my adonis like body glistening with pool water ...
LOL! I'll give you a :applaud: for that one.
In Oregon, where Alison hails from, those early climbers are arrested, dragged into the mountains, slathered with honey and left for the bears to snack on. Very serious about their whistles those Oregonians are... :D
Transplanted Oregonians shoot with rubber bands those who do it wrong! hee-hee
Alison
Transplanted Oregonians shoot with rubber bands those who do it wrong! hee-hee
Hmmm... and just recently in some other threads we were wondering how to generate more interest in meets... Ensignada's post was pretty good too... perhaps I will rethink 08 LCM nats? :)
sorry, FMIF, couldn't resist a temporary thread hijack! I will be psyched for you if you compete at Zones and can't wait to see how you do!
Hmmm... and just recently in some other threads we were wondering how to generate more interest in meets... Ensignada's post was pretty good too... perhaps I will rethink 08 LCM nats? :)
I'll bring my rubber band shooter to Nats!
Alison
Just a small hint about a mistake a lot of people make at meets. When you are behind the block wiating for your heat to start you will hear whistles from the officials. The first whistle is for people (the heat before) to clear the pool the 2nd whistle is for you to get on the block or up to the edge or in the water, which ever the case may be.
I've noticed around VA meets, a lot of people get up on the block on the 1st whistle and that's not correct.
Alison
Rutger's will be my first zones. Will be near, or at the bottom for my age group, but I don't care and no one else does either.
I would suggest getting there plenty early for your event and warming up correctly. This will calm your nerves. Nothing worse than getting stuck in traffic, bad directions or whatever, then a crummy warm up.
