Today I attended my first meet with Masters Swimmers. It was quite an experience. Our team won the championship, and I managed to shorten my times for several seconds on all events I participated in: 50 fly, 100 IM, and 100 free. I also participated in 2 relays with my teammates.
That good performance was despite several obstacles: 2 weeks of missed practice during tapering due to a respiratory infection, poor sleep quality the night before, and the impulse to eat a slice of pizza in the middle of the meet.
We won, and I reached my personal goals, and yet I learned several lessons. Here are my takeaways:
- You go farther together with friends. Swimming is not a solitary sport. It teaches you to rely on other people, and to build trust with them.
- Two is one, one is zero. Bring a second pair of speedos, goggles, and towel.
- Mobility and flexibility beat muscle hypertrophy. Vanity muscles will not get you swim faster. In fact, they may become an obstacle since too much muscular volume will reduce your buoyancy. Aim for muscle power and fiber flexibility.
- The pizza is for after the meet.
Fats and slow-digesting carbs will slow you down when consumed in between events. You need to induce glycolysis in your metabolic system to support those explosive turns and kicks. - Choose your gear wisely. I shaved my entire body and wore a speedo. It would have been better to swim with jammers and a customized swim cap that represent the team.
Today was a really good day.