Hi everyone,
Next weekend is my very first Master's swim meet and I have to say, I'm really quite nervous! I've been a competitive swimmer all my life since I was 6 years old and growing up, competitive swimming was pretty much my life. When I was younger I was a great swimmer..qualified for YMCA Nationals at the Swimming Hall of Fame multiple times, swam for a Division I college, placed in top 10 at MAAC championships, etc
But now, almost 9 years out of college, I'm about 50 pounds heavier:afraid: and am nowhere near as fast as I was when I was in my best shape. I'm trying to get back in shape and lose some weight, and I'm really enjoying getting back into swimming again. I've been swimming with my local Masters team for the past 2 months now and have my very first meet coming up.
The thing is...I'm really nervous about how I'm going to look in my bathing suit compared to all the other swimmers and how slow I'll be. Am I going to be the only overweight and out of shape swimmer there? I'm worried that my times are so slow, that even if I'm in the slowest heat, I'll still be so far behind even the "slow" swimmers in my heat. (For example, one of the events I've entered is the 1000 free. My fastest time in college was 10:24 and I time trialed myself and was 16:02 :blush:)
I know I need to focus on my progress and not worry about everyone else, but I think I still have that old competitive swimming mindset. I'm envisioning all these fit, trim, ripped swimmers and then there will be me heading up to the blocks with my belly and cellulite!:blush:
How was your very first Master's swim meet?? Did you have the same worries/fears?
Thanks for your help, and please, this is my very first post so don't be too hard on me!
Erica :)
The beauty of Masters swimming is that it draws all types of people. There will be the sculpted, uber-fast swimmers there. BUT, there will also be people there to have fun who enjoy being part of a team. There will also be people who look so frail that you wonder about their sanity until they pull an amazing 200 fly faster than you can swim it with fins. :)
Enjoy the experience, enjoy being back, and do the best you can do - right now. Race the clock - not your memories. None of us are in high school anymore - and many of those you will see at the meet - myself included - never swam in high school and picked up the sport for the simple love of swimming and the camaraderie found being part of a team.
Have fun and good luck! :cheerleader:
The beauty of Masters swimming is that it draws all types of people. There will be the sculpted, uber-fast swimmers there. BUT, there will also be people there to have fun who enjoy being part of a team. There will also be people who look so frail that you wonder about their sanity until they pull an amazing 200 fly faster than you can swim it with fins. :)
Enjoy the experience, enjoy being back, and do the best you can do - right now. Race the clock - not your memories. None of us are in high school anymore - and many of those you will see at the meet - myself included - never swam in high school and picked up the sport for the simple love of swimming and the camaraderie found being part of a team.
Have fun and good luck! :cheerleader:
