Well, I've been procrastinating for weeks about this, and now it is either register by 5 PM today, or not.... There's a chance the meet could get canceled for low registration, so every swimmer counts.
I'm considering swimming in a meet this Sunday:
www.azlmsc.org/.../2008SunDevilLCM.pdf
I'm not new to doing swim meets, but my last meet was some time ago, in either 2002 or 2003 (whenever my team last hosted the USMS SCY nationals). I kind of got in a rut around that time, and wanted to work on some things, both in and out of the pool. One missed meet became 2, a year turned into more....
So my plan, if I do the meet, would be to still get up around 5am and do my long run (10 to 14 miles) before the heat sets in. I'd finish around 7am, do my abs, have a light breakfast, and head to the meet in time for a light swim warmup. The first events are the 1500 fr, 800 fr, and 400 IM, so I could easily show up while those are going on, and just use the warm-up pool as time permits. I know this isn't ideal, but I've been traveling a bit lately, and have already missed some runs, and don't want to miss this Sunday.
My swimming training hasn't really focused on anything lately. I get in a distance lane and do what the coach says. But based on the meet schedule, here are 4 events I would consider doing:
#1: 100 br OR 200 fr (these are back-to-back)
#2: 50 br OR 100 fr (again back-to-back)
#3: 400 fr
#4: 50 fr OR 200 br
When I used to do meets, my *** was half-decent for my age group. Not earth-shattering, but I would usually do a 200 br (especially long course) simply because hardly anyone else did it and I could get points for my team. I did the 200 br at the last meet I swam (SCY) in about 2:38.
My free times aren't great, but I've made personal improvements lately. I can do about a 1:05 for a 100 SCY free. Maybe a 2:18 for a 200 SCY free. I'm not a 50 free sprinter, so would lean more towards the 200 ***, even if I end up doing it in 3:30 (I would think closer to 3:10, but really don't know). I've done a 400 SCY free in just under 4:50.
So my questions here....
* Should I do the meet?
* If yes, what events?
* Then, what kind of seed times should I put, so I get in a decent race?
Let me know if you need more info to help. Thanks!
Go to the meet!!
It's going to be hot, though, so don't enter long races if you have any problems with the heat.
Another thing to consider, use the 50/100 free as an option to swim ANY stroke. So, if you have some back-to-back swims, use the free to do the race you wouldn't normally get all your rest.... since the meet is going to be really small and quick.... this has worked for me in the past. I would also limit to 3 races, since it may be over in 3 hours.
Go to the meet!!
It's going to be hot, though, so don't enter long races if you have any problems with the heat.
Another thing to consider, use the 50/100 free as an option to swim ANY stroke. So, if you have some back-to-back swims, use the free to do the race you wouldn't normally get all your rest.... since the meet is going to be really small and quick.... this has worked for me in the past. I would also limit to 3 races, since it may be over in 3 hours.
