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 get anxious and it's worse for my first heat but lightens up some as they go by, which probably explains why my times improve progressively throughout the day. The nerves concentrate right in the middle of my chest and I get dizzy. I've learned this is just adrenalin fueled mechanism and the dizzyness is from an improper breathing response.
I'm starting to control this response though, one (as mentioned earlier) is through breathing/relaxation exercises, then I try to tune the nervous energy into some form of visual order. Another important key is to drill all the race specifics at practice (course respective turn, start, breathing) months prior so I don't have to think when it's time to go cuz there's nothing to worry about. I also might enter a non target event for "fun" with a forgiving seed.
Preparation, relaxation, and fun is my anti-anxiety strategy and it seems to be helping
Are relays less stressful for you?
I get anxious and it's worse for my first heat but lightens up some as they go by, which probably explains why my times improve progressively throughout the day. The nerves concentrate right in the middle of my chest and I get dizzy. I've learned this is just adrenalin fueled mechanism and the dizzyness is from an improper breathing response.
I'm starting to control this response though, one (as mentioned earlier) is through breathing/relaxation exercises, then I try to tune the nervous energy into some form of visual order. Another important key is to drill all the race specifics at practice (course respective turn, start, breathing) months prior so I don't have to think when it's time to go cuz there's nothing to worry about. I also might enter a non target event for "fun" with a forgiving seed.
Preparation, relaxation, and fun is my anti-anxiety strategy and it seems to be helping
Are relays less stressful for you?
