Hey All! I would love to see the response from people on this question.
I am about to swim in my first meet in over five years. My preparation has been pretty good the last year or so. Plus, I am looking at this from a realistic standpoint of going out to have fun, swim again and see just where I am at in training. Not expecting lifetime bests or to light up the waters in my first outing.
When you all made the decision to race again(pool or open water) what were you feelings leading up the first meet? Excited, nervous,etc? And how did you cope with second thoughts, nerves, etc leading up to the meet, so you wouldn't have second thoughts?
Look forward to hearing other people's stories.
John
Former Member
My first Masters meet was my first swim meet ever. I had been swimming seriously for about a year with a few breaks when meet day came. I was nervous but I knew that whatever time I posted would be a PB for me. The pool I swim at is in yards and the meet was SCM so that put a little more pressure on me as well. In the end I had a blast and was checking the PacificMasters website when I got home in search of the next meet.
Just try and have fun and the nerves will subside some.....after your first event is over the nervous sensation should dissipate some. I was also very nervous at my first Masters meet (which was in April last year).....It was my first meet in 18 years.....Now I'm use to swimming in meets....but there is always some nervousness before a meet (or right before a race).....Its really no different than the nerves I felt before races and meets back in my youth. Good Luck at your first meet....I think you're really going to enjoy the experience!
Newmastersswimmer
I am always really, really nervous for my first event from the time I get to the meet until I'm on the blocks. Really once I hit the water I'm fine, that's where all the training kicks in. Just have fun and enjoy the experience!
I have my 1st meet coming up this Sunday after like almost 20 yrs. I am going to be a wreck. I fear swallowing water or my goggles falling off, etc. I am going to be so damn nervous. :eek:
I have my 1st meet coming up this Sunday after like almost 20 yrs. I am going to be a wreck. I fear swallowing water or my goggles falling off, etc. I am going to be so damn nervous.
Something else to consider: I'm sure you've read or heard of envisioning positive results versus negative ones.
If you're thinking of only negative outcomes, in all likelihood, one or more of the negative things will probably happen to you.
Think of the positive outcomes you want to achieve and (hopefully) that's what you'll get.
In other words, only think of those things you want, not what you don't want.
Just remember that being nervous is a good thing - it actually helps you do better! That doesn't mean you should be overly stressed out about it. Just relax and try to enjoy the meet, but don't worry that you're too nervous to do well.
I recently coaxed a fellow Masters swimmer into signing up for a local meet. He hadn't been on the blocks in over 25 years. Needless to say...he was nervous. But he did great...and actually wound up racing his old high school coach in the 500. Now he can't wait to sign up for the next one.
Being nervous is normal. It means that your adrenal glands still work. Have fun. :)
Originally posted by nkace
I have my 1st meet coming up this Sunday after like almost 20 yrs. I am going to be a wreck. I fear swallowing water or my goggles falling off, etc. I am going to be so damn nervous. :eek:
This topic is so real for me! I am going to my first meet Saturday in 20 years...4 kids and 85lbs heavier, I am a bundle of nerves. My problem is that I can still remember all of my times from HS & college and I will never be that fast again. My goal is to literally be the fastest fat girl at the pool..now, if I can only drag my sorry butt up to do a backstoke start! (we have no blocks at our pool to practice!). I also keep thinking that I am going to dive in and go right to the bottom. Good luck to all of us that are renewing our competitive careers this weekend. Let's follow up Monday to see how it went.
Pooch,
Good luck this weekend! I had the same thoughts about my hs/college times too.
Don't concern yourself with what you did back then, that's done and gone. Enjoy the present, esp. having your kids get there to watch you swim.
Good luck and have FUN!
John
