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!
Wow, thank you all. This advice helps and to know that others have been there and have gotten through this. One part that is hard for me is lack of coach and team mates. I train with age groupers. My coach, in 4 years with him, has only made it to warm-ups for 1 day of a meet for me. He's too busy with the kids and I understand that is part of who I train with. But I do hang out with some awesome people and try to get my mind off things. Jim, Fort, Muppet, and more are great to laugh and socialize with.
Elaine, I'm glad I inspired you to star an event that you wouldn't have normally. I like the idea of setting new times in my newer age group. That's a good goal to have and one that I feel I can handle.
I have Zones in a month and will try to think less about my times and more about how good it will feel to be done. I'm going to work on the breathing techniques (no, Jim, that doesn't mean covering my mouth and nose!).
Now to find someone to yell "Mazel Tov" for me right before my event :)
Wow, thank you all. This advice helps and to know that others have been there and have gotten through this. One part that is hard for me is lack of coach and team mates. I train with age groupers. My coach, in 4 years with him, has only made it to warm-ups for 1 day of a meet for me. He's too busy with the kids and I understand that is part of who I train with. But I do hang out with some awesome people and try to get my mind off things. Jim, Fort, Muppet, and more are great to laugh and socialize with.
Elaine, I'm glad I inspired you to star an event that you wouldn't have normally. I like the idea of setting new times in my newer age group. That's a good goal to have and one that I feel I can handle.
I have Zones in a month and will try to think less about my times and more about how good it will feel to be done. I'm going to work on the breathing techniques (no, Jim, that doesn't mean covering my mouth and nose!).
Now to find someone to yell "Mazel Tov" for me right before my event :)
