Swim Races and Tris

pcsronbo · Dec 30, 2007

So, I've not doe a swim meet since I was 12, so forgive me. 
At that time, I got up on the starting block for whatever I was told to whenever I was told to and didn't give it the slightest thought whether I was doing 25, 50, 100, etc. I think 100 was the longest I raced. 
Anyway, I'm considering hooking up with a group that does swim meets. Or more specifically, thinking about crashing some meets which a bunch of people I know are attending <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> 
what are the meet distances? Any clue what normal times are or if I can find online results? A quick google didn't get me any results for "old guy" divisions.. but I'm not sure how to get to that information so I may be mis-googling. 
Second, is there any limit and/or minimum number of races? 
Third, CAN you just crash and come in as independent or do you have to be part of a team? 
I'm just now exploring this and I doubt I will commit any serious time, but I know I can smoke most of the folks that are going, so that alone sounds like fun <img alt="surprised.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/surprised.gif"> ESPECIALLY if we can take it out to logner distances. Any 4000y races? <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif"> Ok, probably not. Who wants to sit around for an hour watching THAT!

LookiLoo · Dec 30, 2007

check out US Masters Swimming <a href="http://www.usms.org/" target="_blank">http://www.usms.org/</a> I just became a member b/c I'm swimming with a master's group for the winter, and I'm told that I'm now eligible to participate in meets. There's a competition link that should lead you to some local stuff. 
I've thought about swimming in meets, but I'm actually trying to find some open water swim competitions. For some reason, competitive swimming at my age intimidates me...

Tithers · Dec 30, 2007

This year I wanna get in a 5k OWS race...we have some here in June...

pcsronbo · Dec 30, 2007

there's one in chicago in July and Sept too 
hint hint!

Tithers · Dec 30, 2007

No way I could come in July...race month...no way I could come in Sept...teacher month<img alt="sad2.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad2.gif">

pcsronbo · Dec 30, 2007

She says as she is signed for what this year? <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif">

MBannon · Dec 30, 2007

If I remember correctly from high school swim team, typical race distances are 50, 100, 200, 400, and 1500. I assume it's the same for geezer squads.

BethR · Dec 30, 2007

I think Matt's right about the distances. I've only done one swim meet ever, and found it really, really fun - all different levels, though lots of former collegiate swimmers. Jon (Jwcrew99) has done a ton, so he could give you more info if he knows to check in here. They last a long time, like almost all day, so if you are doing a couple of different events, bring clothes to stay warm in while you watch.

Stitcher · Dec 30, 2007

Definitely check out master's groups. If you search for your local area, then "masters swimming" you'll likely get more quality hits. 
If you want a quick link to some meets and results: <a href="http://www.dixiezone.org/Meets.htm" target="_blank">http://www.dixiezone.org/Meets.htm</a> 
That's the zone that I mostly compete in. 
Can you "crash"? Yes. You "affiliate" as an independent rather than with a team. Many meets will also allow you to register with USMS when you register for the meet too. Check that out in the meet information for the specific ones you go to. 
Is there a limit to the events? Most meets set some sort of limit. At a typical 2 day meet, that limit might be 5 races per day for a total of 10. If you want to swim relays, the relay would be one of your entries. 
The longest races are 1650 yds, and then either 800, 1000 1600 meters if it's a long course meet. Each meet will have a slightly different order of events, and possibly different selection of events. Shortest are 50s, then 100s, 200, 400 (all these in yds and meters), 800 and above are freestyle only. 
Most master's groups are super friendly, and if it's your first meet in a long time, find someone who looks especially friendly and hook up. 
St

JWcrew · Dec 31, 2007

The majority of the masters meets that I competed in had 50's, 100's and 200's of each stroke. Also included 400 IM, 4X50 relays, and the 500 free which was usually done at the beginning of the meet. Many people swam this as a warm up. 
The races run for a long time, 4 to 6 hours. If the meet gets packed with elderly swimmers, be prepared for very long day. Imagine a swimmer doing 200 modified back... Ugh! So since it is going to be a long day, it is best to go with a group and have a nice chat, or take a book. 
Depending on the facility, there may be a warmup pool, a warmup lane, or a warmup period where the meet is paused for 15 mins to give people the cance to hop in and warm up. I used to swim 4 individual plus 1 relay, so I was in and out of the water a lot. Towels get wet fast, so what I did was to dry myself off with a wash cloth which I would just ring out a couple times while drying myself off. This actually gets you pretty dry. After I dried off I put on a cool max shirt. Once cotton or fleece gets wet, it stays wet all day. I kept a towel to place on the bleachers to keep my spot. Most pools have limited space. 
When you find a race that you want to participate in you may or may not be able to swim as an individual. The "local" races that Beth and I participated in allowed individual non-affiliated swimmers, I swam affiliated with my fitness center's team, Beth swam with her team "Amphibs". If you are swimming in regionals, then you would have to join USMS and be affiliated with the regional team, which in my case would be the Colonials. 
Check for races soon, they happen in the winter months. You must sign up for them in advance and you need a seed time. If you want to see how fast you really are, then I believe that you should give it a try. 
Best of luck, have fun 
Jon

pcsronbo · Dec 31, 2007

Hmmm, now this is a problem. I don't know if I can devote that kind of time, certainly not on a regular basis. Well, maybe once my kids are bigger. 
VERY good to know!

JWcrew · Dec 31, 2007

You do not have to stay there all day. When you sign up for the race, there will be an order of events. Check to see what events will be run first, and enter those. You do not have to hang around after your event is finished. If you have friends there, they can pick up any awards that you may have won or otherwise let you know how you finished. 
I think that you should enter so I can see if you can beat my 1:08 100 free. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"> 
Jon

Stitcher · Dec 31, 2007

Many master's meets will allow you to enter "NT" as your seed time (No Time). This is then seeded as the slowest time. Lots of people use NT for their first meets, as they're not sure how they'll do in some of the races. However, it's better to enter a realistic seed time if you know it, it makes the meet director happy. <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif">

Swim Races and Tris

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