24hr. countdown before 1st Masters meet-???

Hey Alison, thanks!:D How was Disney? Did you go to Disneyland or Disney World? I grew up in Long Beach, CA, not far from Disneyland. Sounds like fun! Good luck at your two meets! Make sure to post and let me know how you did. Best wishes! Elaine, we went to the World. Much closer to where we live now :) With the darn pool rules, I could swim at all. I could just stare at it while I walked on the treadmill (it didn't open until 8am :() Thanks for the luck wishes. I'll need it since I'll be out of the water with spring break.

Sorry I missed this 1. Should I swim the day before or just rest? doesn't matter, I prefer to dive in splash around and "keep the feel" 2. What (and when) should I eat before my first race? doesn't really matter just don't pig out before your races 3. What (and when) should I swim to warm-up before my first race (200 breaststroke)? eddie reese always had us do 500 fr 400 IM drill 300 pull 200 kick 100 done 4 x 25 build then a few: fast 25's for sprinters pace 50's for 200 swimmers & pace 100'sfor 500 & up Get warm but not worn out if you've been sitting around for more than an hour, get back in and swim an easy 200 to 400 15 to 20 minutes before your race. 4. What about cooldown then warming up again before my next race (medley relay)? cool down: swim an easy 200 to 400 depends how long you sit around before the medley 5. Any other recommendations, besides stretching and HAVING FUN? Swim faster faster

Hi Elaine! I'll be in the 35-39 age group! I'll more than likely be swimming 100 back, 50 back, and I just may try the 50 fly. I'm debating that one. I'm like you. I couldn't resist. I'm only a 3 hour drive away, so I just have to go! I'll definitely look for you there. I will by no means be in the middle lanes either!!! Awesome! I'll be looking for you and cheering you on! :cheerleader:

Elaine, we went to the World. Much closer to where we live now :) With the darn pool rules, I could swim at all. I could just stare at it while I walked on the treadmill (it didn't open until 8am :() Thanks for the luck wishes. I'll need it since I'll be out of the water with spring break. Bummer! There's nothing worse than having a pool right there, but not being able to get IN it! That's how I felt during the couple of times our pool was closed for repairs.:bitching: Maybe the rest will do you good and you will have a great meet. Gooooo Alison! :cheerleader:

Sorry I missed this 1. Should I swim the day before or just rest? doesn't matter, I prefer to dive in splash around and "keep the feel" 2. What (and when) should I eat before my first race? doesn't really matter just don't pig out before your races 3. What (and when) should I swim to warm-up before my first race (200 breaststroke)? eddie reese always had us do 500 fr 400 IM drill 300 pull 200 kick 100 done 4 x 25 build then a few: fast 25's for sprinters pace 50's for 200 swimmers & pace 100'sfor 500 & up Get warm but not worn out if you've been sitting around for more than an hour, get back in and swim an easy 200 to 400 15 to 20 minutes before your race. 4. What about cooldown then warming up again before my next race (medley relay)? cool down: swim an easy 200 to 400 depends how long you sit around before the medley 5. Any other recommendations, besides stretching and HAVING FUN? Swim faster faster Hey Ande! I don't know if you received the message I sent you, but, earlier in the month, I wrote to tell you how much I enjoy reading all your posts. And, I suggested you write a book! :agree: Between your tremendous knowledge, experience, AND your writing skills, I think you could do it well! Having said that, I didn't want to wait until you wrote a book, so I bought, "Mastering Swimming: Your guide for fitness, training, and competition", by Jim Montgomery and Mo Chambers. EXCELLENT! I just started reading it, but I can already say it is one I would highly recommend for Masters swimmers. Anyway, I think I also mentioned in my message to you that I have read your tips and really appreciate all of your fantastic advice. You are very generous with your time and knowledge, so it is much appreciated by a novice like me. So, I have subscribed to your threads. Thanks for taking out the time to respond to this tread, as well as my others. I will put your advice to use at my next meet! :D

Elaine, we went to the World. Much closer to where we live now :) With the darn pool rules, I could swim at all. I could just stare at it while I walked on the treadmill (it didn't open until 8am :() Thanks for the luck wishes. I'll need it since I'll be out of the water with spring break. I've gotten in some 6 am swims at Disney World. Most of their resorts have multiple pools. Do not swim in the "main" pool, swim in the most remote, hidden one, even though it is likely to be smaller and warmer. Do not make any noise - noise is the reason why the pools have posted hours. By following those two simple rules, I have never been kicked out of a pool there. :) However, I haven't tried swimming off-hours in the All-Star resort as none of the pools there are remote or hidden.

I've gotten in some 6 am swims at Disney World. Most of their resorts have multiple pools. Do not swim in the "main" pool, swim in the most remote, hidden one, even though it is likely to be smaller and warmer. Do not make any noise - noise is the reason why the pools have posted hours. By following those two simple rules, I have never been kicked out of a pool there. :) However, I haven't tried swimming off-hours in the All-Star resort as none of the pools there are remote or hidden. Sadly, we picked the building based on it being near the pool that had the lines on the bottom for easier swimming. But... it had signs up that it was closed from 9pm until 8am. By 8am I was getting myself and my son ready to get to the park of the day. The open pool was all the way across the resort. Darn! The good thing was that we were in the building next to the fitness center so I worked out in there each day. I even got to work out with my dad which, since he lives 700 miles away, is a rare treat.

Bummer! There's nothing worse than having a pool right there, but not being able to get IN it! That's how I felt during the couple of times our pool was closed for repairs.:bitching: Maybe the rest will do you good and you will have a great meet. Gooooo Alison! :cheerleader: Thanks, Elaine. My coach says he might come to watch me swim at this next meet. :afraid: He's never seen me in a meet since he's an age group coach. I hope I don't freak out.

Seeing your coach just might give you that extra motivation (and butterflys) to do your PB! Good luck! :cheerleader: Thanks. I hope so! He is such a good swimmer that he makes me a bit nervous (I've only been swimming with him since June)

Thanks, Elaine. My coach says he might come to watch me swim at this next meet. :afraid: He's never seen me in a meet since he's an age group coach. I hope I don't freak out. Seeing your coach just might give you that extra motivation (and butterflys) to do your PB! Good luck! :cheerleader: