Advice about signing up for my first swim meet

After viewing the results (times) from 2 recent meets in Colorado on the COMSA web page ("Highlands Ranch Short & Sweet" & "Mile High Masters Invitational"), I decided then, that there is no way that I will ever be able to (or want to) swim in one, period! :afraid::shakeshead:

The best advice I got for my first swim meet, three years ago, came from my then-coach, John Fedena. He told me to get to the pool early and, if at all possible, do a few warm-up laps in the pool I would actually be competing in. I did as he said, as was I glad I did. The pool had a moveable bulkhead, which created weird visual effects as I approached it — I couldn't tell whether I was looking at it, through it, or under it. The first few laps I either ran smack into it, or flipped too soon and missed it altogether. But by about the 10th lap, I finally figured out exactly where to look, and I had no problem in the actual race. Had I not found this out beforehand, it would have been a disaster. Something else you might want to find out before your first meet is what the actual starts consist of — I mean the bells and the whistles (and buzzers). Nobody thought to tell me that, since everyone else has been doing it so long it's just obvious — except to me! I did sort of figure it out from watching the first few heats, but then I had a false start (not my fault!) in one of my races. I can't remember whether they blew a whistle or I just noticed everyone else stop swimming, but we had to climb out of the pool and do it all over again, by which time I was thoroughly spooked. On the second start, I dove in, but then I noticed a red flashing light in my peripheral vision. "Oh no, another false start," I thought, and stopped swimming. Only to see the rest of the swimmers swimming furiously toward the far wall. It only cost me about 10 seconds (and a red face!) Someone told me later that the flashing light I saw might have had something to do with the timing. I'm still not sure how the ref actually does signal a false start.

I do not agree with the recommendation to enter a bunch of events. I think you should enter 2-4 events a day and choose events you feel comfortable swimming. Racing is tiring. You may not recover so quickly after a race and it might be best to space the events apart to get some rest between. Be sure to warm down after each race for at least a few minutes. Otherwise go for it. We all had that "first meet" and I am willing to bet not one of us had a bad experience.

One thing I have learned about swimming Masters -- no one is judging anyone, especially in the areas you mentioned. This is so true. I LOVE the friendly atmosphere of Masters and I agree with everyone else, just do it! One of my favourite quotes is actually from a book about running, Born to Run, but it embodies Masters swimming so perfectly: "The reason we race isn't so much to beat each other... as it is to be with each other." You have to start somewhere; go enjoy yourself!

Well, everyone, since my last post in early March (& others on other forums) about Never!! wanting to (or feeling able to) attend a meet, I've had a change of heart, & early this week signed up for one. A large factor was my master's coach who felt I should go to it (& for that I applaud his confidence in me doing so), mostly to see what one is about. Also I felt that, for example, Many people run marathons, half-marathons, Tri's, etc, and do them NOT to win, but rather-- to 'just do it'. That's where I feel I am at right now--I will give it a shot & see how I do, as many others have remarked. I signed up for 50, 100, & 200 FR and 50 BR. It will be LCM so fewer turns to worry about :). June 5 in Denver I am holding no preconceived notions about what it will be like -- I'll know better when it's over!

Well, everyone, since my last post in early March (& others on other forums) about Never!! wanting to (or feeling able to) attend a meet, I've had a change of heart, & early this week signed up for one. A large factor was my master's coach who felt I should go to it (& for that I applaud his confidence in me doing so), mostly to see what one is about. Also I felt that, for example, Many people run marathons, half-marathons, Tri's, etc, and do them NOT to win, but rather-- to 'just do it'. That's where I feel I am at right now--I will give it a shot & see how I do, as many others have remarked. I signed up for 50, 100, & 200 FR and 50 BR. It will be LCM so fewer turns to worry about :). June 5 in Denver I am holding no preconceived notions about what it will be like -- I'll know better when it's over! Good luck, Joel! :cheerleader: Just go with the idea of having fun, meeting other swimmers and enjoying yourself. During warm-ups, you may want to introduce yourself to other swimmers in your lane. And, do the same on the bench, in between events. Getting to know other swimmers is what has made my meet experiences so enjoyable and memorable!

Well, 2 months ago I went to my first meet (a couple of posts back), at that one I did 'deck starts' (no block starts), got DQ'ed in the 50 BR due to extra dolphin kicks, but otherwise it was a great experience (my masters coach went also & gave me LOTS of great advice :-). From that (since that) BR DQ I've been working on my BR whip kick. Saturday Aug 6, went to my second meet (put on by the same club, at the same pool -- Lowry 50 meter outdoor in Denver); this time entered the 50 & 100 FR and 50 & 100 BR. Goals were to: better my times on the FR, to not DQ on the BR, and to do block starts. Well, I accomplished all of those goals :) except I did DQ on the 100 BR -- I still have a problem with my kick where I'll touch my feet together after the kick, then sometimes will seperate them during the pull (I suppose) and my feet flutter -- that caused it. :confused:. But that's OK, something more to work on. On my 100 FR I took 8 seconds off the time from June -- I am extremely pleased with that (mostly because I didn't slow down on second 50 vs first 50 as much as last time). No problems with block starts either although I'd like to improve them too. All in all, a very enjoyable experience :). I even talked to a few fellow swimmers too! Most meets in Colo are indoors so this was a treat. I'd like to keep refining my strokes, keep improving, & keep attending meets in order to test myself on how I'm doing & to be a part of the meet experiences -- different than practices for sure. Although I look at what the others results are, for me at least, I only care about what I do, how I can improve, what goals I need to be setting . . . that's what's great about Masters . . . :applaud: -- I may even try some BK events at indoor meets! As I sometimes tell others -- I don't feel I'm doing too bad considering that I never swam competitively until 2 months ago, & I'm 50 (but so happy when most people take me for 40 or even younger :) -- fountain of youth, perhaps?).

Way to go, Joel! :applaud: Glad to hear you had such enjoyable experiences and feel inspired to keep on swimming. I have had a blast since joining USMS, in Feb. 2010. And, the most enjoyable experiences have been at the three Nationals meets I attended; especially this last one. The best suggestion I can make to you is to keep on the forums, soak up all the wisdom from your fellow forumites, and attend any and every Nationals meets you can! It is an experience you will never forget. :cheerleader: Cheers! :chug: