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
I just swam my first meet last week. I entered a 50 back, 100 back, and 100 IM. It was my first meet ever. I was amazed how encouraging everyone was. I've been going to weekly practices for maybe 3 months. Nothing bad happened, I found myself swimming "against" men and women because it was a smaller meet, I guess- meaning we were in the same heat, so no one knew my age as they watched me.
All I got was encouragement, praise, from folks on other teams and my own. Any good Masters team would welcome a new competitor, it appears. I actually didn't pay attention to my times, just entered the experience of competing. I likely was last in all 3 races and could care less- once the results are posted, I'll have times to include for my next meet.
Best of all I learned a ton, you will too. Because of very recent eye surgery I started all my races in the pool, since I'm not doctor-cleared to dive from a platform. It was legal- slower, but no losing my goggles. Deck entries- sign up the same day for more events. 3 in 1 day was fine for me. No watches allowed during a race. Etc.
I just swam my first meet last week. I entered a 50 back, 100 back, and 100 IM. It was my first meet ever. I was amazed how encouraging everyone was. I've been going to weekly practices for maybe 3 months. Nothing bad happened, I found myself swimming "against" men and women because it was a smaller meet, I guess- meaning we were in the same heat, so no one knew my age as they watched me.
All I got was encouragement, praise, from folks on other teams and my own. Any good Masters team would welcome a new competitor, it appears. I actually didn't pay attention to my times, just entered the experience of competing. I likely was last in all 3 races and could care less- once the results are posted, I'll have times to include for my next meet.
Best of all I learned a ton, you will too. Because of very recent eye surgery I started all my races in the pool, since I'm not doctor-cleared to dive from a platform. It was legal- slower, but no losing my goggles. Deck entries- sign up the same day for more events. 3 in 1 day was fine for me. No watches allowed during a race. Etc.
