I just started back swimming about six months ago and about two months ago signed up for USMS because there was a Masters swim meet at my pool and I thought it would be a fun goal to eventually compete.
I am seriously thinking about signing up for my first swim meet (Colonial Zone SCY Championships) in April but I am afraid that 1)I will finish dead last in every event I do - I have gotten A LOT faster but I don't I am at race speed yet and 2)The people from my swim club might be irritated that I didn't scored well enough in my races to earn them any club points. I also don't think I will be doing any relays because I think I will hurt the team's chances in placing well. I don't know anyone else in the local swim club (VMST) I signed up for.
Right now, I think I want to do the 50 free, 50 back, and 100 back. Should I really wait to do my first swim meet or should I just do this first one for the experience? I don't want people to snicker at my times.
Parents
Former Member
January 2011 was officially my fourth month back in the water after a 25 year lay-off and I decided to compete in a Masters Swim Meet. I had some of the same concerns that you have except that at that time I was swimming unattached and didn't know a single person associated with Michigan Masters swimming.
I can tell you a couple of things: 1. You'll probably be faster than you think, and if you aren't, absolutely no one will laugh at or snicker at you. 2. If the swim meet is anything like the two meets I've now been to, everyone will be very friendly and help you understand anything you don't understand. 3. If you're anything like me, racing will get back in to your blood and you won't be able to get enough of it.
I would disagree slightly with one of the earlier posts that told you to sign up for as many events as possible to see which ones you like. I would say sign up for whatever makes you comfortable and be prepared to be much more fatigued than you would ever expect from a few short races, I was.
My last bit of advice would be to make sure you swim a nice easy workout the day after the meet. I swam my first meet, skipped workout for three days, and my muscles were so full of lactic acid they hardly moved.
By the way, next week I'm headed to my third meet of 2011.
Good luck!!!!
January 2011 was officially my fourth month back in the water after a 25 year lay-off and I decided to compete in a Masters Swim Meet. I had some of the same concerns that you have except that at that time I was swimming unattached and didn't know a single person associated with Michigan Masters swimming.
I can tell you a couple of things: 1. You'll probably be faster than you think, and if you aren't, absolutely no one will laugh at or snicker at you. 2. If the swim meet is anything like the two meets I've now been to, everyone will be very friendly and help you understand anything you don't understand. 3. If you're anything like me, racing will get back in to your blood and you won't be able to get enough of it.
I would disagree slightly with one of the earlier posts that told you to sign up for as many events as possible to see which ones you like. I would say sign up for whatever makes you comfortable and be prepared to be much more fatigued than you would ever expect from a few short races, I was.
My last bit of advice would be to make sure you swim a nice easy workout the day after the meet. I swam my first meet, skipped workout for three days, and my muscles were so full of lactic acid they hardly moved.
By the way, next week I'm headed to my third meet of 2011.
Good luck!!!!
