Competition Swimming

Hi, Julia, You can get some idea of what times are like at smaller masters meets by looking up the results for our Y league at http://www.amymsa.org You can also go to the results section of USMS and look up all kinds of meets. Don't worry--you will do great. In the future, probably better to post in the general swimming discussions area, too. I am pretty sure this one area is more for administrative kinds of announcements, etc. But I could be wrong. Good luck.

Hi everyone I am new to this site. I was an avid swimmer when I was younger and kicked butt. I am just getting back into swimming and actually signed up for a swim meet next Sunday. I think I will totally embarrass myself. I was wondering if anyone knew how these swim meets are? Are they all different levels or is everyone really good? I am out of my mind but I signed up for the 500 free, 100IM, 100Back, and 50free. I am in the 26 year old category. Does anyone know any typical times for the 500?? I can;t wait to get back in shape and do well again. Please if anyone has any advice or some knowledge that they would like to share please inform me. -Julia :cheerleader: I see that you are in New Jersey. In the Northeast(mainly in the Philly but this probably goes for NJ and Maryland), the fastest 500 free heat, can go from 6:00 to 5:00 whatever. On the rare occurrence, someone can go about 5 minutes. Good luck and that is good that you are doing meets after just getting back into training. Just remember, meets are a good way to show where you are at even if you feel that your times are gruesome. Last January, I did a gruesome 6:05 last January in the 500 free and now, I can do a 5:45 in the first 500 of my 1650. Overall, people do a wide range of times at local masters meets. So, you won't feel out of place. Good luck with your meet. All you can do is the best that you can do right now!

Welcome back to swimming. And we expect to see you at Colonies Zones soon. At al meets you will find all abilities. The main thing to remember is to pace and race yourself. Don't race the guy next to you. And most importantly - have fun!

heats are set up from slowest to fastest, period. There is the occasional Masters meets that are separated by gender but the only time it is separated by gender is at Zone Champs and Nationals. And at Nationals, it is separated by age group and gender.

first meet back and starting with a 500, impressive. just remember to race yourself and you'll do fine. I remember my first 200m free after a 12 yr break from swimming. I was the lead off, in a 4x200 relay, and I had no idea the speed of the guys next to me. I opened in 1:03 and then came back in 1:11 for 2:14... Oops!!! I open my 400 fri in 2:15 so I obviously did something wrong and it was that I swam the other guys race. I should have held back the first 50 and swam my own race. Good Luck

Hi and thanks everyone for all your help. One other question though. Can anyone tell me if the heats are set up by age group, gender, etc??? I haven't been to a master's swim meet yet and I was just curious if it was the same style as High School for instance? Also I guess I am part of the Garden State Club. How do I find any of my team mates. The people that I train with are just two other older women who are not involved with competition.Thanks again everyone for being so supportive.