The Butterfly Lane

Just competed in fly for the first time EVER today - tried a 50yd. This was my second ever swim meet and I just started lap swimming in January. The GOOD (or OKAY) - I finished. I didn't DQ. People have told me they don't even try fly because it is common to DQ. The BAD - The race was HORRIBLE. And my time was 1:35. I wish I was kidding. I had planned on finishing at least 30 secs faster. That time is way slower than I when I do a 50 SCM. When I went off the diving blocks, my goggle slipped upward and I had to push them down. I was then legally blind for the entire race. I kept thinking I was close to the wall but I was actually 3-5 strokes away. Plus, I felt like there were times that I wasn't even moving after a stroke. At least my PBs in my backstroke improved (6 secs in the 50 and 7 secs in the 100). I still feel awful. I actually was excited about trying fly in swim meets. Sigh. There is no reason to feel bad, losing your goggles in a race can be very disconcerting. Especially when you're trying something new. You say you've been faster in SCM, so I wouldn't worry about this one race. Nowhere to go but up, right? Your resolution to do fly in a race is admirable. The thing about masters swimming is that no one is going to make fun of our swimming or anything, everyone realizes what a struggle it can be to train and compete in this sport with a "real life." You're only competing against a clock. Just get back on the horse and ride. No one will be anything but supportive. Post back here when you've done your next fly race!

Just competed in fly for the first time EVER today - tried a 50yd. This was my second ever swim meet and I just started lap swimming in January. The GOOD (or OKAY) - I finished. I didn't DQ. People have told me they don't even try fly because it is common to DQ. The BAD - The race was HORRIBLE. And my time was 1:35. I wish I was kidding. I had planned on finishing at least 30 secs faster. That time is way slower than I when I do a 50 SCM. When I went off the diving blocks, my goggle slipped upward and I had to push them down. I was then legally blind for the entire race. I kept thinking I was close to the wall but I was actually 3-5 strokes away. Plus, I felt like there were times that I wasn't even moving after a stroke. At least my PBs in my backstroke improved (6 secs in the 50 and 7 secs in the 100). I still feel awful. I actually was excited about trying fly in swim meets. Sigh. There is no reason to feel bad, losing your goggles in a race can be very disconcerting. Especially when you're trying something new. You say you've been faster in SCM, so I wouldn't worry about this one race. Nowhere to go but up, right? Your resolution to do fly in a race is admirable. The thing about masters swimming is that no one is going to make fun of our swimming or anything, everyone realizes what a struggle it can be to train and compete in this sport with a "real life." You're only competing against a clock. Just get back on the horse and ride. No one will be anything but supportive. Post back here when you've done your next fly race!