3/20/10

Look at me!


Today I entered my very first swim meet. Some people might think it a little naive or crazy to have the nerve to enter a masters championship with little experience in swimming. HOWEVER they are not me.

The experience was fulfilling. I wondered how I would feel being at the ivy league school with all of these very experienced, very fast swimmers with their swim skins and all. How daunting it could be. Once there I realized it was really not daunting at all. I mean, yes, it's a big deal if you are going in for a win or to obtain a PR. That's a big deal. But for me I was there to practice my .8 mile swim. It was just a lot of fun.

My friend Cheryl counted for me and I in turn counted for her. Unfortunately for me I forgot that an orange marker means that you are on your last length and so I accidentally swam an extra length. Everyone was yelling at me to get out of the water. What I thought when I heard them yell was that "you are taking too long, please get out of the water". I thought that all the other women in my heat had finished so far ahead of me that they were shutting me down. "You've had long enough lady". But thankfully that was not the case. I had simply swum one extra length. I was not last actually but 6th. Out of 8. :)

There is a satisfaction that comes from getting out of your comfort zone and questioning whether you are acting appropriately. I realized that all that does not matter. What matters is that I was living my life to it's fullest rather than watching it go by.

11 comments:

cheryl said...

That's awesome! Way to go out of your comfort zone. Masters swim meets are pretty low key. As I was reading, I thought wait, I didn't count for you? :-)

see you in a few days!

Unknown said...

OMG, the last lines of your post cracked me up and made my day..."acting appropriately." YOU are awesome and inspiring and I love it that you just went out and did this swim because you wanted to. I never want to watch life go by either! Thanks for doing what you did today and posting about it.

GetBackJoJo said...

I think you are AWESOME for going for it! I just love watching the super fast swimmers... it's awe inspiring and motivating. BUT YES! Our motivation is less about winning and more about just having fun and getting some new experiences under the belt! I'm really psyched and proud of you! Congrats! You did amazingly well! So glad the goggles stayed on your head! I still have goggle marks from making mine so tight...

Running and living said...

Awesome job, Melissa! I need a swim event, too. Let me know if you know of any in the near future!

Jennifer Harrison said...

YOU are a great role model for triatheltes who will NOT get out of their comfort zones. TRUST ME...I have some that won't even swim Masters practices!

swim meets are FUN...they mix up the training and get you out of your comfort zone!

WELL DONE for sure!! Congrats! :)

Ange said...

Congrats!!!! that is SO exciting that you ddi that today! I'm really proud of you. Can't wait to hear about it next week. did you do the 1650?
see you soon...

GoBigGreen said...

Oh yea! Great job. I hadnt ever done a meet till last year...where i started on the blocks, wore goggles, had counters. etc..I swam as a kid 1 lap!
See you soon!

Teamarcia said...

You are awesome for doing a master's swim meet! So true about getting out of that comfort zone! WTG!

Speed Racer said...

What a great story! I'm so glad I'm not the only one that makes gaffes like that!

Hey, did you want to go for a ride sometime? I'd love to pick your brain about some of that Secret stuff and how you learned it.

Congratulations again on a great race!

Michelle said...

Hmmmmmm. You may just have me convinced to try this one of these years! I swim with my local Masters and love it, but I've never even contemplated swimming in this meet - too chicken! I actually think I could have a pretty decent showing at a back event (my back is freakishly fast, as compared to my other stokes). But I don't know how to do any of the things that real swimmers do - like (hanging head in shame) flip turns, and real starts. Time for this old dog to learn some new tricks! :)

Nice job!!!!!

ShirleyPerly said...

Good for you!

It seems that a lot of folks I know are doing their first swim meets lately and none are one of those hardcore swimmers you'd expect to do one. I really should too, but only if no flip turns or diving off a platform are required.

Thanks for the comment on my "How Did I Get This Way" blog post. I love hearing about women in their 40's getting into sports and excelling. Keep up the great work!

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