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
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:
I'd say it was a positive experience. I don't train with a kids' team. I signed up for the meet because I was going to be there anyway watching my kid. Now that she's aged up, we can swim in the same session. I have trouble getting to many local or other masters meets because of my kids' events. This was a convenient way to combine cheering for my kid and her team and getting in a couple swims myself. I swam an event I rarely get a chance to swim. The atmosphere was low key -- it was an "open" meet with no QTs, so pretty mellow. (Sorry for the nerves Alison!)
Kids seemed to think it was interesting. Masters are a rarity at our USA meets. But, according to my daughter, the kids on her team said "Cool, I didn't know old people swam and competed." :lmao: Maybe this is the way to get out the word that masters swimming exists as a sport?
Perhaps, as Alison notes, there was a little pressure not to mess up big time or have the piano fall dramatically in front of the kiddies. (I don't do many starts either, Art.) But it was worth it to get some more meet experience and times. Wouldn't do it all the time, but every once in awhile seems fun. Give it a try -- especially if there aren't others masters meets available.
I have heard that some parents are irritated when elite masters swim at important USA meets, sometimes taking a kids' place during finals. This would not be my issue, as senior QTs are outrageously hard, but I think those parents should get over it.
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:
I'd say it was a positive experience. I don't train with a kids' team. I signed up for the meet because I was going to be there anyway watching my kid. Now that she's aged up, we can swim in the same session. I have trouble getting to many local or other masters meets because of my kids' events. This was a convenient way to combine cheering for my kid and her team and getting in a couple swims myself. I swam an event I rarely get a chance to swim. The atmosphere was low key -- it was an "open" meet with no QTs, so pretty mellow. (Sorry for the nerves Alison!)
Kids seemed to think it was interesting. Masters are a rarity at our USA meets. But, according to my daughter, the kids on her team said "Cool, I didn't know old people swam and competed." :lmao: Maybe this is the way to get out the word that masters swimming exists as a sport?
Perhaps, as Alison notes, there was a little pressure not to mess up big time or have the piano fall dramatically in front of the kiddies. (I don't do many starts either, Art.) But it was worth it to get some more meet experience and times. Wouldn't do it all the time, but every once in awhile seems fun. Give it a try -- especially if there aren't others masters meets available.
I have heard that some parents are irritated when elite masters swim at important USA meets, sometimes taking a kids' place during finals. This would not be my issue, as senior QTs are outrageously hard, but I think those parents should get over it.
