Hey, this is great! I used to swim masters way back in my twenties, and I loved it. I improved a LOT there, even after having been coached through HS and in college.

One thing I remember about my masters team is that everyone really was nice to everyone...and there was plenty of room for people to start in the slower lane and move up. And, people DO move up!

Also, I can really relate to the comfort zone thing. I have never been thin, even when I was in good shape. I can SOOOoooo remember being the kind of beefy girl on the decks and in the lanes with all these long, thin, tough, athletic women. And, a racing suit hides even less than cycling shorts!

Also, very true about what you said...going slow to go fast. I got MUCH faster after several years of competing when I found a coach who just changed a couple of things about my stroke.

This is exciting!