Dear Coach: What
requirements / experience is needed to participate in Masters swimming
competitions? A Newbie
Dear A. Newbie: The only requirement is that you have
reached your 18th birthday by the date of your first Masters competition.
No previous competitive experience is necessary. You will swim against
those of similar ability, regardless of age. If you are planning to
compete, please make sure that you talk to your coach prior to the meet to
ensure that you are aware of the rules for the stroke(s) you are planning to
race.
Dear Coach: I was finding the notation
on the blackboard confusing, and then I found the list of abbreviations on the
web site. You should let others know that it is there, as I found it very
helpful! Another Newbie
Dear A. Newbie: Thanks for the reminder. If the
blackboard notation looks like Greek to you (and unlike George, you don't speak
Greek!), then check out the list of abbreviations on the web site: http://carletonmasters.tripod.com.
For those who swim in the morning Masters, it is also possible to get the
workouts ahead of time so that you can study them in advance, if that
helps! Just contact me to get on the workouts e-mail.
Dear Coach: Is it ok to swim every day
(or more often), or is it similar to weight lifting in that you shouldn't use
the same muscles two days in a row? Wondering
Dear Wondering: It is certainly ok to swim every day, or
even twice per day. However, consecutive workouts should generally have a
different focus as far as stroke, distance, intensity, etc. Of course, as
with any exercise program, your overall swim distance and intensity should be
increased gradually.
Dear Coach: Can you explain the
difference between building through a swim and building through a set? And
how do you know how fast to start out? Almost Got This Figured
Out!
Dear A.G.T.F. Out: When you build within one swim (e.g.
200m) you gradually increase your speed over the 200m distance. If you are
building through a set (e.g. 50m, 100m, 150m) you would keep your speed constant
for each swim, but do each swim at a slightly higher effort than the one
before. As to exactly the right speed for you to start at, I'm afraid
you'll have to learn that through trial and error! In general, we all tend
to start out too fast and run out of energy before the end. Happy
experimenting!
Dear Coach: How do those pace times
work again? Rusty Swimmer
Dear R. Swimmer: The pace times listed on the board are
for your swim + your rest. If you are doing 100m on 2:00, then if it takes
you 1:30 to swim the 100m, you get 30 seconds rest. If it takes you 1:50,
you get 10 seconds rest. If it takes you 2:05, you try to catch up on the
next one (or you take a break and join back in with your lane-mates next time
they come around)!
Dear Coach: I can't see the pace
clock. How am I supposed to follow the pace times? Short-Sighted
Swimmer
Dear S-S. Swimmer: Prescription goggles are a wonderful
thing! Check out http://www.aquagoggles.com for some
inexpensive prescription goggles made in Ontario. Several of your
team-mates have these (including me) and you'll never go back to regular goggles
after trying these!
Dear Coach: I have been having awful
problems with sore, red eyes along with a runny nose and sneezing after
workout. What do you recommend? Miserable Swimmer
Dear M. Swimmer: It sounds like you are very sensitive
to the chlorine. First, I'd guess that your goggles aren't sealing
properly and are letting in water. You need to find a brand of goggles
that fits your face properly -- everyone's bone structure is a little different
and goggles that work great for some, won't fit others at all. I have a
collection of goggles in my lost and found that you are welcome to borrow and
try to see what brand works for you. If goggles alone don't do the trick,
you may also want to try a nose clip. (I sell these for $5,
see Swimmer Notes above).
Dear Coach: I have a small child, much
too young for the Child Safety Supervision. Is it ok to have my baby on
deck during swim workout? Swimming Dad
Dear S. Dad: As long as your child is strapped into a
baby seat, and will sit happily during workout, that is fine. Note that if
the baby fusses, the coach will let you know.
Dear Coach: Just recently I've started having shoulder
impingement on my left side when I swim. I breathe only on my right in
freestyle, so I'm suspecting that could be the cause. What do you
think? Sore Left Shoulder
Dear S.L. Shoulder: Very good diagnosis! It's very
common to have a shoulder injury when you breathe only to one side.
Learning to breathe on both sides is very important for keeping the stroke
symmetrical and for avoiding injuries. I know a very good Athletic
Therapist who has dealt with a lot of cases of "Master-itis" as he calls
it, due to quite a few Masters swimmers coming to him
with shoulder problems. If the problems persist, try Brian Christie,
Ottawa Sports and Health Center (near the Museum of Science and Tech / OAC):
737-4742.
Private and Semi-Private Masters Swim
Lessons 