I train to compete. I am fine in training most of the time but lately, the last year or so, my times in meets have gotten quite a bit slower and now I get so anxious before a race that I feel sick. Today I had a SCM meet here I only went to swim the 400 IM. I dry heaved in the corner until they were about to call my heat. How can I get past this? I;m working on getting faster in practice (I'm injured and coming off surgery) but slower in the meets is something that has been lingering and causing the anxiety. Help!
Bill is right; hang around with a goofball at your next swim meet! I used to be withdrawn at meets to concentrate on my events. But, that just made me more nervous. Now, I joke around and socialize, sometimes making it to the block just in time to adjust my cap and goggles. I have had some of my best times then, because I was relaxed from laughing and the endorphins were kicked in from having fun with my friends.
I agree with this. Don't you envy those people who just show up at the block, have two seconds to put their cap on, then dive in a blow everyone out of the water?
After the London Olympics I read an interview with Usain Bolt where they were asking him about his pre-race routine. He says he doesn't even think about the race. He thinks about what he's going to do to relax after the Olympics are over. Easier said than done, of course.
Bill is right; hang around with a goofball at your next swim meet! I used to be withdrawn at meets to concentrate on my events. But, that just made me more nervous. Now, I joke around and socialize, sometimes making it to the block just in time to adjust my cap and goggles. I have had some of my best times then, because I was relaxed from laughing and the endorphins were kicked in from having fun with my friends.
I agree with this. Don't you envy those people who just show up at the block, have two seconds to put their cap on, then dive in a blow everyone out of the water?
After the London Olympics I read an interview with Usain Bolt where they were asking him about his pre-race routine. He says he doesn't even think about the race. He thinks about what he's going to do to relax after the Olympics are over. Easier said than done, of course.
