I don't even know what questions to ask, or what to tell you about me.
I swam senior year in high shool and my first year at a small liberal arts university. I loved it. Wished I had started younger and wished health issues hadn't led me to quit.
I got back in the pool May 2010 (20 years later) just to do something productive with my time (improve my fitness) while I was at the Y for my daughter's swim lessons.
"Everyone" I knew started saying to me, "Oh, you swim? You should do triathlons." Even though I can't run, I have been giving triathlons a shot and having fun.
I just came across a masters swim meet in Cedar Falls, IA on March 5th. The organizer responded to my e-mail with, "Yes, it is as simple as filling out the registration form and mailing it in with payment!" So I'm definately going to do this.
Uh, now what?!?!?!?
What should I expect at this meet? What do I need to do to get ready in about a month's time? Oh, and I'm worried I'll do something "stupid" and get DQ'd.
More about me, if you want to know...
I train with the local tri club 1 hr/day, 4 day/week: 2 of indoor cycling, 2 of swimming.
I do 2-3 other general fitness workouts each week. Starting Feb 13th, I'll be able to get to the pool for about 40 minutes of swimming.
My 10 year old daughter (who has graduated from swim lessons to swim team) is teaching me backstroke flip turns and having fun coaching me.
:blah:
Well, that brings up another concern… I haven't gone off a starting block in 20 years. I assume I'll get to practice it in warmups at the meet. Other than that, I don't know if I'll have an opportunity due to the no diving rule at the Y.
I hope to go faster than 8:37, as that was well into the workout when he sprang it on us. But if I put NT, won't that put me in a heat that's even slower? Or am I deluding myself into thinking that there is anyone (other than triathletes ;) ) who is slower than me?
In other words are estimates allowed, or is the entry form looking strictly for official times?
Estimates are totally fine. I use them all the time. You will DEFINITELY swim faster than 8:37. Make sure to do a few practice dives during warmups at the meet. They'll have a "sprint lane" which is for starts and sprints.
Also - don't be ashamed to put in NT, especially as a beginner. A lot of vets will have NT as well - mostly because they did a deck entry, or for a myriad of other reasons. If you have a goal time, put it in. If not, NT is totally fine.
Well, that brings up another concern… I haven't gone off a starting block in 20 years. I assume I'll get to practice it in warmups at the meet. Other than that, I don't know if I'll have an opportunity due to the no diving rule at the Y.
I hope to go faster than 8:37, as that was well into the workout when he sprang it on us. But if I put NT, won't that put me in a heat that's even slower? Or am I deluding myself into thinking that there is anyone (other than triathletes ;) ) who is slower than me?
In other words are estimates allowed, or is the entry form looking strictly for official times?
Estimates are totally fine. I use them all the time. You will DEFINITELY swim faster than 8:37. Make sure to do a few practice dives during warmups at the meet. They'll have a "sprint lane" which is for starts and sprints.
Also - don't be ashamed to put in NT, especially as a beginner. A lot of vets will have NT as well - mostly because they did a deck entry, or for a myriad of other reasons. If you have a goal time, put it in. If not, NT is totally fine.
