Hello, Everyone! I'm a newbie with a question

RE: Hello, Everyone! I'm a newbie with a question

no200fly — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 10:46:15 GMT

Wow, you guys are so supportive! Thanks! Okay, I'm going to give it a go. I'm feeling motivated and really want to but I just coulnd't help feeling that it might be embarrassing for me and frustrating for everyone else. It souds so fun, though, and if everyone is as friendly and welcoming as you, it'll be a very nice group, indeed. Thanks! I think you will find it much more fun and much easier to swim with a team. Having others there to share and motivate makes workout an enjoyable respite from your "real life." I think you will find that there will be swimmers with many different abilities in the workout and that there will be a place for you to easily fit in. One last suggestion - don't be afraid to sit out a set or part of a set when you first start. If it is too much to do at first, take a break - nobody will have a problem with that.

RE: Hello, Everyone! I'm a newbie with a question

Former Member — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 08:27:46 GMT

I swam a small Masters meet just two weeks ago in Bryan Texas. I swam it because my son is in school in College Station. This particular meet has been going on for a few years so I expected to see a mix of a few fast swimmers and the usual mix of medium-to-slow swimmers. But instead there were no really fast swimmers. Most of the swimmers were just there to race and see how they could do. All kinds of body shapes and ages from just under 30 to 70 or so. I think any swimmer could do this meet and feel completely comfortable. No reason not to start now and enjoy yourself.

RE: Hello, Everyone! I'm a newbie with a question

kgernert — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 08:03:36 GMT

Definitely just get in and start. I started swimming for the first time at age 39 and now (a short 16 months later), I am actually competitive at meets. When I started, my coaches were aware that I hadn't swam before - couldn't even fathom doing fly - and helped me judge how far I could go in the time that the other swimmers were doing the written workout. For example, on 100's, he'd tell me to go 50. Then, I went up to 75. Now, I'm doing 100's with the rest of the gang. Just jump in and do it. You'll be surprised what Masters swimming can bring into your life.:)

RE: Hello, Everyone! I'm a newbie with a question

mjtyson — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 07:08:43 GMT

Definitely record your times. Before masters at the age of 30 I swam a 500 yard free in 9:33. 13 years later I swam it in 7:43. (Last saturday!) And that was after only 4 years of having a masters coach (I move a lot and many places I'm stationed do not have a team).

RE: Hello, Everyone! I'm a newbie with a question

knelson — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 06:02:02 GMT

Lots of masters groups will give new swimmers a free trial period, too. That way you can find out if that group is right for you. Most teams have a wide range of ability levels, but obviously there are going to be teams skewed more to one end of the spectrum than the other. The other big factor is how much active coaching the coach does. Some coaches write the workout and sit there, others are continuously working with the swimmers to improve their technique. Obviously as a new swimmer you're going to want the latter!

RE: Hello, Everyone! I'm a newbie with a question

orca1946 — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 05:55:14 GMT

You will fit in just fine. Don't worry about the super fit masters , many are just like you that came back & love the social& fitness of it. Go for it!

RE: Hello, Everyone! I'm a newbie with a question

Former Member — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:14:12 GMT

My memories of trying to join a master swimming club after a long lay off are not pleasant. A coach after I told him I was a former Olympian, he said I would have to try out to see if I could join the club. Needless to say if I were running a masters club everyone would be welcome as long as they could swim 25 yards. I told the coach no thank you. I did not use those exact words. Most Master Clubs accommodate all levells of swimmers.

RE: Hello, Everyone! I'm a newbie with a question

Former Member — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 13:51:27 GMT

RE: Hello, Everyone! I'm a newbie with a question

ande — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 10:37:49 GMT

start now our team has all ability levels and body shapes the one near you might too masters are usually nice folks find a lane where you can keep up then you'll move into faster lanes as you get in better shape read swim faster faster try out the ideas that seem most applicable to you I happened to notice recently that there is a Master's Swim session at my Y. I'm interested but here's the awful truth: It has been years and years since I swam regularly. I would say that it's been 10 years since I swam laps and 15 since I swam in any kind of competitive way (I was never on a team really but swam in the intramural league and did a triathalon once.) "In shape" was a long, long, time ago. I would say "way, way, out of shape" is more accurate now. So ff to a few days ago when I noticed the Masters Swim info. I hopped in the pool and think technically I'm, well, okay. I think my strokes still feel good. But I'm slower than molasses, easily winded, and have no stamina . . . at all! The very idea of appearing, in my swim suit, b/f a crew of super fit swimming masters is more than a little intimidating and the idea of frustrating everyone with my uber slow strokes is more than a little daunting. So, what do you think? Is the Masters Swim for old has beens wanting to get back at it? Could I expect a mix of abilities, including utterly out of shape, or just the . . . well . . . M*A*S*T*E*R*S! Would it be better to spend some time in the pool catching up b/f committing to the Masters program? That would really seem sensible but I have an accountability issue. It's awfully hard to get up early to swim and I need the accountability of paid membership (there's an additional charge for the MS) or a team/group dynamic that'll drag me out of bed. Any good advice out there?

RE: Hello, Everyone! I'm a newbie with a question

floswimmer — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 10:07:47 GMT

:angel:I would like to reiterate all the positive experiences and feedback. But, in my neck of the woods, experiences can be mixed depending upon the group of swimmers.....talk to the coach, observe a workout (do the other swimmers talk, laugh, smile, are they friendly? vs. stuck-up) If this group isn't for you; try another group....etc. I wish you the best of luck!

RE: Hello, Everyone! I'm a newbie with a question

swimshark — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 07:21:18 GMT

Jump right in there. Oh, and make sure to record your times and swims now. Even take some video if you can. Because 2, 3, 4 years from now, if you keep it up, you won't even believe how far you've come. So true. I say go for it. Masters doesn't mean we're faster, it just means we're older. If you're over 18, then you qualify. So get in that suit and go for it. Talk to the coach before the practice if it makes you feel better. You'll find every ability in the water and one day, you'll be helping out the new person.

RE: Hello, Everyone! I'm a newbie with a question

Redbird Alum — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 03:10:33 GMT

Rebecca - After you've "jumped in" come back and let us know how it went. Like the others here, I try to encourage anyone and everyone to get in the pool. But we like to hear how things turn out, as it helps us get better at helping others feel welcome. Best of luck! Enjoy!

RE: Hello, Everyone! I'm a newbie with a question

Former Member — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 13:18:29 GMT

Masters come in all shapes and sizes - need I say more? Get in - do what you can - it's ok to sit out a set (or 50 or 100) or two (or three) Do what you can - you're a grown up now! You can do it - just do your best! :cheerleader::cheerleader::cheerleader::cheerleader:

RE: Hello, Everyone! I'm a newbie with a question

Former Member — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 11:44:33 GMT

You could find out who runs the Masters sessions and talk to them. Most masters programs have lanes associated with ability, Group 1 = fast swimmers, Group 3 or 4, not so fast swimmers etc. In our masters sessions there's a gal in the far lane swimming with a snorkel. But at the end of the day it's not about who's fast, who's out of breathe, who didn't complete the workout etc. It's about doing your best and achieving a goal you have set for yourself. When I started a few years ago I couldn't swim 50 yds w/o stopping to take a break so I know where you're at. My old gym didn't have a masters program so I just swam laps until I could go a few thousand yards w/o stopping. That got me a good base to go into masters. But there was no one but myself to hold me accountable. I fought through it, waking up at 4:30 AM etc. You feel sooooo good when you finish a good swim workout. I also lost 50 lbs in that water! I say go for it and the money is worth it (what's your health worth?). Our group is very good about keeping each other in the game. We also have Board Meetings once a month (Board meeting = PM meeting after a swim workout involving Pizza and Beer).

RE: Hello, Everyone! I'm a newbie with a question

Glenn — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 09:37:55 GMT

Rebeccca, Go and enjoy yourself and rekindle the wonderful (and sometimes frustrating) feeling of swim competition. I'm 61 and have been swimming Masters since 1979 and still look forward to getting up early for a swim six days a week. Your speed does not matter at a Masters meet or at a Masters practice. What matters is being a part of our wonderful sport.:banana:

RE: Hello, Everyone! I'm a newbie with a question

swimmerb212 — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 09:02:11 GMT

RE: Hello, Everyone! I'm a newbie with a question

200free — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 08:56:19 GMT

Rebecca, I wholeheartedly agree with the posters above. Just jump in and do it. Nobody's going to be analyzing your ability level, stamina, strokes, etc. On our team we have swimmers with a wide range of experience, widely different ages and speeds. Your first few weeks don't feel like you have to finish the whole workout if it's too much for you. Hopefully you'll enjoy the cameraderie you find with the team and that will spur you on to keep coming back for more.

RE: Hello, Everyone! I'm a newbie with a question

funkyfish — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 08:37:28 GMT

Greetings Rebeccca, You should receive a number of responses saying to just jump in and do it. In my limited number of years as a masters swimmer (four), I've seen a large range of skill and ability, at both meets and training sessions. Regardless, everyone I've met has been very receptive and encouraging, regardless of ability. I should also say that I'm in your approximate neck of the woods (live in western AR) and have gone to several masters meets in both Tulsa and OKC. Each meet I've been to has been an enjoyable experience and everyone's very friendly. My wife and I have also done a workout with the Tulsa masters on occasion and they were very cordial. Long story short, no one's going to judge your ability, you'll find both fast and slow swimmers, and workouts are set up for people to improve. From what I can tell, master's swimming is for anyone who wants to swim. Good luck and have fun. :banana: