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!
I have several different way off warding off pre-race anxiety: staying busy, having fun, talking to people, etc. And for me in particular, I get a lot of benefit from doing many meets. The more meets I swim the easier it is for me to relax in my swims and let my training come through.
But the most important thing I've found is to completely let go of the result before I swim the race. Good or bad, I'll still want to swim again.
I have several different way off warding off pre-race anxiety: staying busy, having fun, talking to people, etc. And for me in particular, I get a lot of benefit from doing many meets. The more meets I swim the easier it is for me to relax in my swims and let my training come through.
But the most important thing I've found is to completely let go of the result before I swim the race. Good or bad, I'll still want to swim again.
