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
I don't like the whole goggles under the cap thing. I find that scarier for some reason. (see we all have our quirks). I do however pull the bottom of my cap down over the top of my goggles if I'm really worried. I also really do believe that the keeping your chin tucked toward your chest thing works. Also your goggle strap (I think goggles with a double strap stay on better) should be tighter when you are racing (and going off of blocks) than it should be in practice.
Good luck! Let us know how it goes!
I don't like the whole goggles under the cap thing. I find that scarier for some reason. (see we all have our quirks). I do however pull the bottom of my cap down over the top of my goggles if I'm really worried. I also really do believe that the keeping your chin tucked toward your chest thing works. Also your goggle strap (I think goggles with a double strap stay on better) should be tighter when you are racing (and going off of blocks) than it should be in practice.
Good luck! Let us know how it goes!
