Please help! New USMS member training for 3/27 meet.

Hi! I'm Elaine, a brand new USMS member located in Griffin, Georgia. Like many other members, I haven't competed since high school (1979). High school was my only competitive swimming experience and my "coach" was a P.E. teacher who didn't know how to swim- literally! Needless to say, I need a lot of help! Although I swam varsity, my best 100yd Breastroke was only 1:19.6. That is the only swim time I remember... (A recent 50yd Breastroke time was :42, diving in from the edge of the pool, due to no starting blocks, and being time by my husband.) I would like to compete in a USMS meet on 3/27 and would appreciate advice for getting ready. I started swimming, again, last June, after moving into an adult community (Sun City Peachtree) with an indoor 25 yard pool. Until joining USMS, I was doing workouts totalling 2500 yds., every other day. A typical workout (just for fun and fitness) was: 500 free- easy- 10 min. 500 free- 8 min. 100 IM 100 back 100 *** (no times on the above) 200 kicks- all strokes (that's it, because I don't find it as much fun as pull buoy) work! 5x100IM pull buoy (didn't time them) 500 free pull buoy- 8 min. Mess around for a little bit of cool down... Since it was just for fun and we don't have a clock, I didn't time much of my workout. But, I would typically get it done in 1 hour. I've stepped up my workouts in the last few sessions to 3,000 yds. and I'm using a watch for sprint work. Any advice for workouts to do over the next month, based on my ability (as detailed above)? Swimming every day is not an option, because I have had serious repetitive stress injuries (Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and herniated disk in back- work related) and surgeries. Been there, done that; don't want to do it again. Instead, on alternate days, I do a 11/2 gym workout, including 50 minutes total of treadmill (4.2mph), elliptical (122 strides/min), and recumbant bike. That is followed by lower body weights and hand weights, as well as 200 various crunches and stretching. (I vary it, but the above is a typical workout). Where do I go from here? So far, I have had my husband video my strokes, so I could compare them to You Tube videos. Hopefully, that is helping, because I do not have a coach. The nearest team is a 45 minute drive away and they workout at night; not good for me. So, I joined "unattached" and I'm on my own. Workout advice would be great! I would also appreciate advice as to how to handle meet day. How much do I warm up before my events? I would like to compete in all breaststroke events. Thanks! Elaine
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  • GET A GOOD SUIT for your MEET 2010 Approved Womens Tech Suits ande Ande, I've been thinking about your suggestion to get a tech suit for meets. How much difference in time would a tech suit make over my training suit in 50 yd. and 100 yd breaststroke races? At my level, is the cost really worth it if I'm on a budget? I currently use a Speedo Endurance training suit that I bought at swimoutlet.com (close out for $35!) and thought about using it in meets, at least until I improve more! Thanks, Elaine
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  • GET A GOOD SUIT for your MEET 2010 Approved Womens Tech Suits ande Ande, I've been thinking about your suggestion to get a tech suit for meets. How much difference in time would a tech suit make over my training suit in 50 yd. and 100 yd breaststroke races? At my level, is the cost really worth it if I'm on a budget? I currently use a Speedo Endurance training suit that I bought at swimoutlet.com (close out for $35!) and thought about using it in meets, at least until I improve more! Thanks, Elaine
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