Some people are afraid of the dark...some are afraid to go outside....
I'm afraid of the starting blocks!
Yes, sad and pathetic but true - the blocks scare the beejeezus outa me. Why, I don't know. When I swam in high school I had no fear (and no cap and goggles either - we're talkin' WAY back in the day...)
Well...flash forward several years to my now Masters career and my coach talks me in to competing. So we have a start clinic. From then on (and it's gotten worse) I developed a really strange phobia of actually getting on the blocks and jumping off.
Part of it has to do with the fact that my starts are terrible. I have practiced and I cannot seem to get my brain to wrap around the information of what I'm suppose to do, and to get my body to follow.
Lately it just so happens that I've been competing in really long races (i.e., 1650, 1000, etc.) and I start from the wall. But when I compete in the shorter distances I know I cannot get away with that. And, I'd really like to get over the irrational fear of diving into the water...AND I'd really like to have a decent, competitive start.
Suggestions? Thoughts? Therapy of any kind...?
PS: we do have a diving pool where we work out, so I have no excuse!
:(
Parents
Former Member
Hey Heather!
Wow - I can totally relate to the back tumbling fear - never was a gymnast but I can sense from your description that the concept is very similar. My fear really is a mental block. And it's kind of a relief to know that even Amanda Beard's goggles have fallen off!
I once swam a 50 fly with my goggles around my neck (had to pull 'em outa my mouth! - yikes!).
I have a tape on starts that was put together by Richard Quick and he has the swimmer demonstrating a track start, and to me it actually looks more stable, though I've never tried it.
Well, my excuses are over. I've gotten so much good advice and it's not cold anymore (mid 60's for a while!) so I can't use the "excuse" that it's too cold outside to practice my starts!
Thanks for the positive input!
Ciao.:)
Hey Heather!
Wow - I can totally relate to the back tumbling fear - never was a gymnast but I can sense from your description that the concept is very similar. My fear really is a mental block. And it's kind of a relief to know that even Amanda Beard's goggles have fallen off!
I once swam a 50 fly with my goggles around my neck (had to pull 'em outa my mouth! - yikes!).
I have a tape on starts that was put together by Richard Quick and he has the swimmer demonstrating a track start, and to me it actually looks more stable, though I've never tried it.
Well, my excuses are over. I've gotten so much good advice and it's not cold anymore (mid 60's for a while!) so I can't use the "excuse" that it's too cold outside to practice my starts!
Thanks for the positive input!
Ciao.:)
