I am worried about getting back into a swimming program because it's been years for me as well since I was on a team. And, even though I swam for years I still feel like I haven't maintained my skills (my speed is long gone) however, I'm a little paranoid that they're going to expect out of me what they got out of my brother even though our skill levels are quite different, how do I get over this fear? I'm sure it's unfounded, but still gnawing at me.
Former Member
Christine,
Most of us have been there. If you search through old threads in the General Discussion forum you'll see this comes up all the time. The 1st Masters meet you go to you'll see competitors from all walks of life, from all ages, from some competitors that are in great form, competitors just returning to competition, to in shape swimmers, to out of shape swimmers. My 1st meet I was terrified but another masters swimmer convinced me to give it a try. Once I got to the meet and saw how welcoming the event was, my fears were quickly gone. It doesn't matter how fast or slow you are, how good or bad you are, it's all acceptable in the masters community. It really is a great group of people who just love to swim.
There’s really nothing to worry about! Masters is a whole new ball game! You’ll probably run into swimmers who were (and still are) big stars, but you’ll also run into those amazing people who had the courage to start swimming and competing at an “old age”… 18, 20, 50, 60… you name it! :-)
When I was child (now I’m a 33 year old kid, haha) I was among the first 3 long distance swimmers in Venezuela. I retired at 18 and started swimming again 7 years later. My first masters swimming meet was HORRIBLE!!! I entered the 800 m. free and swam the only way I knew how to. I did great until a “piano” fell on top of me after my 400 m. turn. I felt embarrassed and I swore I wouldn’t compete again as long as I lived! But you know what? Whatever happened inside the pool that day didn’t matter to anyone. Everybody was just happy to see me swimming again!
I never stopped swimming after that, even though it took me a year of “ego healing” to gather the courage to compete in a long distance event again ;-)
:)
