Opinions wanted on this one -
I have a meet this weekend and on day 2 the 500 FR is seeded by time and gender (men are separated from women.) I am actually used to swimming mixed seeding in distance events.
Provided the meet director would accommodate me (and s/he may not), would you ask to be seeded with the men to get the full racing experience?
As it stands, I'm seeded 1st of the women (2nd place is 48 seconds behind) and I would be seeded 5th with the men.
The only other thing to consider is that if I swim with the women, I will have 1 hour rest until my next event. If I swim with the men, I will have about 30 minutes until my next event. And I have 3 events left to swim after the 500 FR.
And, to confirm, am I correct in assuming that if I swam with the men, the time would not count for USMS purposes due to my changing the event/ program order? But am I correct in assuming that my other swims would count assuming all the rules are followed?
This meet is for pure racing fun. Times are irrelevant for me. Oh, and I'm used to swimming by myself which I find sort of boring; however, I have gone PB's swimming solo or having competition. And, I will get creamed by some of the top men (will be a fast heat), but that does not bother me greatly. It's more of a learning experience.
Thanks!
Parents
Former Member
Tom, that's exactly what my coach had me do in the 1000 at a USS meet I swam at. I did happen to use that strategy last week and it worked out well for me.
Donna, I look forward to seeing you there!
Chris, thanks. I did think about needing to learn to pace off of myself and not the boys or the competition. The first time that I swam the 1500 SCM FR I had to pace myself as there was no one around. I did end up holding very constant splits and the time was ranked #1 in the world. . . so I feel okay pacing off of myself. It's just that it's not as exciting or fun as racing someone. However, the 1500 is not the 500. I can recount a similar story for the 1000 I swam recently. Just paced off of myself - did end up dropping 10 seconds and even splitted my 500s 5:17 and 5:17. But I'm reading that I need to be able to handle all situations. Fair enough. :) Also, I'm going to assume the time will NOT count if I swim w/ the boys due to that change in program rule.
Jim C, who is JT?
Brain, you list really great points and I agree with you on the rest/ hassle thing. The men seeds read:
4:51
5:05
5:10
5:10
5:12.17
5:17
5:26
So, it would be relevant to be right in there. As for turbulence, after doing all those OW swims and swimming with the SR I boys and myself all packed in a distance lane @ practice, I can't say the last time I remember turbulence of any kind at a meet - either mixed seeding or otherwise.
And the #1 and 2 seeds are out of my league. Thanks for the vote of confidence Kirk!
Mel and letsrace - LOL! Trust me, the boys make me cry. It's good for me.
Heather, I know! Not sure what's up with that!?
Paul and Jim - you boys are silly. There is no good view when we're all bundled up in our very unflattering full body suits.:D
SwimmJ - agreed! I'm still figuring out this race. Who would have thought that I would figure out the 200 FR prior to the 500?!
Heidi, thanks for pointing that out about the meet entry information. It DOES indeed say they reserve that right to mix. Wonder why they opted to separate the genders for the 500 FR and 400 IM. Strange.
Jazz - LOL! I guess I should skip the meet and hit the weight room, eh?
Thanks all!
I have 4 big events Sat. I may be too tired to do anything come Sun! Something else to consider. But, the line up could make for a good practice meet.
Tom, that's exactly what my coach had me do in the 1000 at a USS meet I swam at. I did happen to use that strategy last week and it worked out well for me.
Donna, I look forward to seeing you there!
Chris, thanks. I did think about needing to learn to pace off of myself and not the boys or the competition. The first time that I swam the 1500 SCM FR I had to pace myself as there was no one around. I did end up holding very constant splits and the time was ranked #1 in the world. . . so I feel okay pacing off of myself. It's just that it's not as exciting or fun as racing someone. However, the 1500 is not the 500. I can recount a similar story for the 1000 I swam recently. Just paced off of myself - did end up dropping 10 seconds and even splitted my 500s 5:17 and 5:17. But I'm reading that I need to be able to handle all situations. Fair enough. :) Also, I'm going to assume the time will NOT count if I swim w/ the boys due to that change in program rule.
Jim C, who is JT?
Brain, you list really great points and I agree with you on the rest/ hassle thing. The men seeds read:
4:51
5:05
5:10
5:10
5:12.17
5:17
5:26
So, it would be relevant to be right in there. As for turbulence, after doing all those OW swims and swimming with the SR I boys and myself all packed in a distance lane @ practice, I can't say the last time I remember turbulence of any kind at a meet - either mixed seeding or otherwise.
And the #1 and 2 seeds are out of my league. Thanks for the vote of confidence Kirk!
Mel and letsrace - LOL! Trust me, the boys make me cry. It's good for me.
Heather, I know! Not sure what's up with that!?
Paul and Jim - you boys are silly. There is no good view when we're all bundled up in our very unflattering full body suits.:D
SwimmJ - agreed! I'm still figuring out this race. Who would have thought that I would figure out the 200 FR prior to the 500?!
Heidi, thanks for pointing that out about the meet entry information. It DOES indeed say they reserve that right to mix. Wonder why they opted to separate the genders for the 500 FR and 400 IM. Strange.
Jazz - LOL! I guess I should skip the meet and hit the weight room, eh?
Thanks all!
I have 4 big events Sat. I may be too tired to do anything come Sun! Something else to consider. But, the line up could make for a good practice meet.
