Solo Swimmers

Swam about 1275 since I swam from 7 yards out and turn for 5 yards to make the 1250 a little longer. I did fly at 100 yard at 2:19, 100 yard *** at 2:13 and 100 yard backstroke at 2:24, 100 yard free at 2:01 freestyle, and 200 I'm at 2:23, and 400 yard freestyle at 8:27, 150 yards kick of breaststroke and 100 pull of butterfly. I'm heading for workout over 6,000 which I have not done since the summer where I did 3 weeks of that and one week over 7,000 yards.

Hey, Forumites! It's that time of year when I get to dust off his "Smilie" and wish you all a happy Thanksgiving! :turkey: Best wishes to all of you for a wonderful holiday with your loved ones! :wine:

Hey, Forumites! It's that time of year when I get to dust off his "Smilie" and wish you all a happy Thanksgiving! :turkey: Best wishes to all of you for a wonderful holiday with your loved ones! :wine: Thanks Elaine

I train solo because of a) location to a local Master's club b) time of day that I can train c) other reasons ($$$$$). I have not swam a competitive pool meet since college (I am in my 50s now) and am being a bit of a chicken going to a USMS swim meet because of the start and turns. The last time I did a flip turn was 30 years ago. The last time I entered the pool from a starting block was 30 years ago. Suggestions for how to get over this mind block without looking really stupid at a meet?

I train solo because of a) location to a local Master's club b) time of day that I can train c) other reasons ($$$$$). I have not swam a competitive pool meet since college (I am in my 50s now) and am being a bit of a chicken going to a USMS swim meet because of the start and turns. The last time I did a flip turn was 30 years ago. The last time I entered the pool from a starting block was 30 years ago. Suggestions for how to get over this mind block without looking really stupid at a meet? I've not been to a meet where everyone goes off the blocks for whatever reason (age, handicap, etc.). You kinda have a couple of groups: those who set records and those who are there for other reasons (fun, fitness, just want to get back in the grind). I've been at meets where people have missed their events because they were chatting. You are not the only one who has trouble with flip turns. It is true mostly for those older, but when it comes down push to shove, unless you are swimming against a personal rival, no one really pays attention. You don't find a lot of memory either. There is more "good" judgement than bad. I say that as someone who didn't learn to swim as a kid and I've seen a good amount of people who will encourage or help you with tips or comments vs. give you a bad shoulder. There are a few, don't get me wrong, but it honestly has to come down to going to a local meet and swimming a few to see how good the vibes are. Actually those who are older, have more problems, you'll see those are the ones who are encouraged. Last year I talked a couple of people (well 3) ladies to swim in a meet, 1 of which hadn't done it before. I'm in a different club this year and 2 out of the 3 showed up to swim this year, with none of the guys showing up. All by themselves, they had a good time enough to come back. The third one has both kids in separate sports that suck up a lot of time, so I'm not surprised as she had quit swimming after the meet last year. That's the extent of the encouragement I can give you. How about showing up to a meet without swimming and seeing what goes on? The nice thing about meets is that they give you an idea of where you are at, times, and how to get more proficient. That's something I like about them. If there is something I'm missing in practice, it comes at the meet so I can work on it.

I train solo because of a) location to a local Master's club b) time of day that I can train c) other reasons ($$$$$). I have not swam a competitive pool meet since college (I am in my 50s now) and am being a bit of a chicken going to a USMS swim meet because of the start and turns. The last time I did a flip turn was 30 years ago. The last time I entered the pool from a starting block was 30 years ago. Suggestions for how to get over this mind block without looking really stupid at a meet? Sure! Don't dive off the blocks, and don't do flip turns! Believe me, you won't be the only one, and NOBODY will care. If they do, then do yourself a favor and avoid anybody who would have the nerve to make a comment to you about it. They are not worth befriending! Masters is all about what YOU want it to be. At meets, you will see swimmers who are very serious and those who are just there to have fun and socialize. It's all about what YOU want it to be, and I have always found the atmosphere to be very encouraging. The swimmer in my LMSC (Georgia Masters) who gets the BIGGEST applause and loudest cheering section is Anne Dunivin, now 101 years old. She doesn't dive off the blocks, she doesn't do flip turns, and she is very slow. We all tell her how we want to grow up to be just like her! :banana: C, go to the meet WITHOUT a mind block, and take the pressure off yourself. Don't expect yourself to go off the blocks-- heck, do an in-water start! Just hang on to the wall, don't move, and then push off when the whistle blows. When you get to the other end, do an open turn. Don't worry about looking stupid; just go have fun, introduce yourself to a bunch of people, and relax. I wouldn't go to a meet and just watch the first time, because you know what's going to happen? You're going to kick yourself in the butt for not signing up for the meet and joining in on the fun! :agree:

Everyone will feel better about themselves if they measure themselves against LA Fitness swimmers. :lmao:

Sure! Don't dive off the blocks, and don't do flip turns! Believe me, you won't be the only one, and NOBODY will care. If they do, then do yourself a favor and avoid anybody who would have the nerve to make a comment to you about it. They are not worth befriending! Masters is all about what YOU want it to be. At meets, you will see swimmers who are very serious and those who are just there to have fun and socialize. It's all about what YOU want it to be, and I have always found the atmosphere to be very encouraging. The swimmer in my LMSC (Georgia Masters) who gets the BIGGEST applause and loudest cheering section is Anne Dunivin, now 101 years old. She doesn't dive off the blocks, she doesn't do flip turns, and she is very slow. We all tell her how we want to grow up to be just like her! :banana: C, go to the meet WITHOUT a mind block, and take the pressure off yourself. Don't expect yourself to go off the blocks-- heck, do an in-water start! Just hang on to the wall, don't move, and then push off when the whistle blows. When you get to the other end, do an open turn. Don't worry about looking stupid; just go have fun, introduce yourself to a bunch of people, and relax. I wouldn't go to a meet and just watch the first time, because you know what's going to happen? You're going to kick yourself in the butt for not signing up for the meet and joining in on the fun! :agree: Everyone will feel better about themselves if they measure themselves against LA Fitness swimmers. I did a short workoout there since it was thanksgiving and the rec pool was closed. So, my breaststroke kickboard kick can keep up with slow freestyle swimmers. Too many times we measure if we can make qualifying times at masters nationals. I was about 11 seconds off the 100 *** and about 8 seconds off the 50 *** last year. So, maybe it doesn't matter.

Well, I feel like a train hit me. On Monday I swam only 700 yards but did a lot of speed work. I cut down on the yardage and did a minute to 1 minute rest by going all out on each of the strokes. I did 20 seconds freestyle after swimming a slow first 25 free. 27 or 28 second backstroke after swimming a slow 25 yard backstroke A 23 second breaststroke after swimming a slow 25 yard breaststroke. A 24 second butterfly after swimming a slow 25 yard butterfly. I did 8 25 but 4 at race speed. I did a broken 200 Im on 2 minute at 1:01 Fly, 1:09 backstoke and 58 second breaststroke and 53 second frestyle.. A 2:09 first fly and back and a 1:51 or 1:52 *** and free. The rest was just kicking of the different storkes. It is still effecting me. Plus, I did some sprinting on other days at my mother's apartment pool distance of 10 yards to 13 yard sprints of the stokes. I did feel like I was hit by a train even if the yardage for the week was only about 3,500 yards.. I'm thinking of swimming the 200 yard Im and 100 yard breaststroke there is about 5 events in between. I mean at the local senior olympics but this shows I tried easy.

Hi all! Glad to see this forum here (I've finally getting into the USMS forums, since I need the moral support)! Finally getting back into the swing things now that I've switched to a better pool (local YMCA) instead of LA Fitness. @cinc3100, I can soooo totally relate to the whole LA Fitness swimmer thing. Yikes. Not that I begrudge anyone getting their swim on, but I wish more folks knew lap etiquette there! I'm going slow but steady, but I'm still having confidence issues. Part of my brain is frustrated that I'm not swimming miles yet, but the practical brain that tells me to not to over do things seems to be winning out. What do you all do to get back your confidence after being out of the water for awhile? (Hope you all had a great Turkey Day!)