I survived. Although my nerves almost got the best of me. Swimming in front of those kids was very nerve wracking to me. I was there all day. Arrived at 6:45 to time. Rested and cheered from noon until 3 and then warmed-up. I took 3 sec off my 400 IM time. I was pleased with that but it didn't feel as smooth as I wanted. I blame that on the long day. :cry:
The blocks at this pool were horrible. Imagine the platform being half size of normal front to back. They were normal width but only about 6 inches deep. You couldn't even get a good track start. Luckily with the 400 the start doesn't matter as much. As I was on the block for the dive-over start the touch pad came off. Nothing like a delay while on this time platform.
Went to workout today and we did a nice long 4400. Stretched everything out and now I feel good.
Alison
Fort, I didn't know that was your first one. I thought you had done one before. Congrats on surviving and not scratching. Your times were awesome!
Christine, I hope you do a meet and have fun with it. I loved cheering for the team since we don't do that as much in masters. It was nice getting cheered for, too. Sadly no :wine: afterwards. hee-hee
Alison
I'm entered in a kid's meet this weekend. Psych sheet/heat sheets were posted today. Barring total disaster, at least I won't get a DFL. I'll be in the same heat as my 15 yo son in the 50 & 100 free. There's going to be a lot of trash talkin' goin on in our household over the next few days.
Kudos, Alison on the great 400 IM! Sorry about the blocks. I survived my first USA meet too. I didn't even scratch the 100 fly because I didn't want to embarass my kid. I'm not swimming 4400 to stretch out though. :rolleyes:
Wow! :notworthy: I have not signed up for the first meet in January! My girls are begging me to go! I told them that I will have terrible time but I will get to experience what they went through when they went to their first meet. My youngest girl had a crying fit because she came in last. I told that they'd do better at each meet they go to - they'd give me dirty look. Now, it is my turn to go....:bolt::help:
I don't think I could race a kids meet. I get nervous enough just doing lactates with the college kids I train with. Its definitely evident that my lack of practice in starts hurts. I'm lucky if I go off the blocks 10 times in a year.
Just finished reading this thread, I'm gathering that for those who swam in age group meets the experience was a positive one overall? I'm asking because I'm going to start swimming with an age group team (this afternoon in fact). I haven't really thought about doing a meet, but since master's meets are few and far between I might consider it. We'll see how the practice goes first.
:banana:
Art, my nerves were so bad that I thought I was going to throw up, several times. That's not like me, either. I didn't want to get up there and look like a fool in front of these teens that I swim with. the great thing is that several, who don't normally talk to me, started talking to me.
Funky, yes, the meet was a positive experience. I practice with the kids team, too. I have for over a year and love it. They push me harder than any other team I've been on. The kids are really nice (those that normally talk to me) and the coaches are great. They treat me like the kids so yes, I get yelled at at times, too. :) I hope you find it to be positive, too. Next step is to do a meet with them.
Alison
