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 :)
Parents
Former Member
Erica -
In my 20 years of USMS competition (being in various stages of fat, thin, in shape, out of shape...) I have learned two things for sure:
1) No one really cares how fast you swim, what you swim, or what you look like in your suit. Certainly, people care about YOU, but really, no one cares about your swimming. We are all doing this for so many different reasons, all of which are intensely personal and individual. Do this for YOU, and don't worry about what the rest of us are thinking about.
2) Have fun. I went right into USMS meets right after collegiate swimming, and let me tell you - it's sooooo much fun. I love meeting the people, seeing 80 year olds crank out 400 IMs, going out for beer and burgers after meets, and simply enjoying swimming for the sake of swimming. Show up, have fun, relax, enjoy, and you'll be hooked too!
Erica -
In my 20 years of USMS competition (being in various stages of fat, thin, in shape, out of shape...) I have learned two things for sure:
1) No one really cares how fast you swim, what you swim, or what you look like in your suit. Certainly, people care about YOU, but really, no one cares about your swimming. We are all doing this for so many different reasons, all of which are intensely personal and individual. Do this for YOU, and don't worry about what the rest of us are thinking about.
2) Have fun. I went right into USMS meets right after collegiate swimming, and let me tell you - it's sooooo much fun. I love meeting the people, seeing 80 year olds crank out 400 IMs, going out for beer and burgers after meets, and simply enjoying swimming for the sake of swimming. Show up, have fun, relax, enjoy, and you'll be hooked too!
