Hi everyone,
Well the title above is kind of the gist of what this post will be about. I am starting my fourth season as master swimmer and am a bit sad about my attitude and feelings towards swimming competitions. I get very nervous before competitions. Vomiting or gagging frequently accompany me on days where I have competitions. I have been doing competitions now for the past two years and unfortunatly I don't feel as if it is getting any better. I understand that some nervouseness is normal, and in fact functional, but my anxiety feels like it is far from it. It is struggle to actually go to the competition and by the time I get there, I already feel mentally tired. I swim, but I don't feel like I can really give my all.
I have tried getting myself to enjoy competitions but lately I have started playing with the idea that maybe these competitions are simply not worth it for me. And that is fine.
Can anyone relate?
QuitarQueen
Do you experience these symptoms during relays too? What about events you don’t really care about?
I call it block anxiety and I am very familiar with it. It is most intense leading up to the first important heat. I get dizzy, stomach aches, chest pounding and I feel I would rather be in the comfy jacuzzi than diving in a cold, heartless pool. Once I hit the water though, it is mostly gone, but my focus is crap. Surprisingly, relays, no matter what the pressure, don’t bother me as much.
One thing I have recently had success with is to “breathe up” (a breathing technique used by free divers) leading up to the block. It also helps me take my 50 out better.
Hope you figure something out to help you enjoy meets.
Do you experience these symptoms during relays too? What about events you don’t really care about?
I call it block anxiety and I am very familiar with it. It is most intense leading up to the first important heat. I get dizzy, stomach aches, chest pounding and I feel I would rather be in the comfy jacuzzi than diving in a cold, heartless pool. Once I hit the water though, it is mostly gone, but my focus is crap. Surprisingly, relays, no matter what the pressure, don’t bother me as much.
One thing I have recently had success with is to “breathe up” (a breathing technique used by free divers) leading up to the block. It also helps me take my 50 out better.
Hope you figure something out to help you enjoy meets.
