... if you are not going to beat anybody?
I pretty much want to go. I am close to NQTs in a few events (I know I can swim some events even if I don't make time). But looking at past results, swimming the QT typically puts you in the lower 1/4. Looking at the schedule, I'd end up swimming the slow heats of one event, 2 if I make time, a day.
Is the overall experience worth the cost of the trip?
(I did lurk in all last year's Nationals threads, but I'd like to hear it all again. :) )
Parents
Former Member
For me it was worthwhile to make the 3 hour drive to Sheffield and 6 hour drive back when I was in the UK.
I was in the lower 1/4 to begin with, but when I aged up, a lot of the competition took time out for family (myself included) so although the top times were even faster, I ranked closer to the top. 1 year I totally lucked out and won the 800 free, and the next year made 4th in pretty much all my events, so you never know!
As of now I'm not swimming with a team, and don't feel it worthwhile to travel to Mesa and be in the lower 1/2 or so. Plus I have 2 young kids and hubby would need time off work etc etc. I would however make the 5 hour drive to San Antonio for Nationals if it were held there again.
That said, it was a great experience and I got to watch Mark Foster and Nick Gillingham swim which was awesome.
I'd say if you have the time and $$ it'd be a lot of fun.
For me it was worthwhile to make the 3 hour drive to Sheffield and 6 hour drive back when I was in the UK.
I was in the lower 1/4 to begin with, but when I aged up, a lot of the competition took time out for family (myself included) so although the top times were even faster, I ranked closer to the top. 1 year I totally lucked out and won the 800 free, and the next year made 4th in pretty much all my events, so you never know!
As of now I'm not swimming with a team, and don't feel it worthwhile to travel to Mesa and be in the lower 1/2 or so. Plus I have 2 young kids and hubby would need time off work etc etc. I would however make the 5 hour drive to San Antonio for Nationals if it were held there again.
That said, it was a great experience and I got to watch Mark Foster and Nick Gillingham swim which was awesome.
I'd say if you have the time and $$ it'd be a lot of fun.
