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?
Former Member
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!
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.
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!
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!
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).
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.:)
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.
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.
