I have seen a lot of posts on this board about technique and training, all in the effort to swim faster. There’s a lot of good stuff out there in my opinion. However, one area which I always found beneficial to swimming faster was my pre-race ritual (for lack of a better term). I’m not talking about getting the proper amount of sleep the night before or eating the right kinds of food. I’m talking about the specific routines I would follow immediately before the race. For instance, I liked to have my goggles on my face and ready to go well before the start of the race. I also liked to splash some water on my body to get it adjusted to pool temperature. I don’t like talking to anyone immediately before the swim and would usually lightly shake my arms (in an effort stay loose and focused). When on the blocks, I also stood very hunched over--ready to grab and go--and only focused on the next x amount of yards/meters before me. Sometimes I would reiterate my race strategy in my mind when the official would call for quiet before sending us to the blocks. All of these things served to get me ready to swim fast. It didn’t matter where I was or how old I was (started doing it as an age grouper), the routines helped my body understand that I was preparing for maximum effort. I think routines like this shouldn’t be overlooked. You can do all the right training, but if you’re not ready mentally come race day, you probably won’t go as fast as you could have. What are some of your routines to prepare for a personal best?
It doesn't bother me to talk with people, in fact it calms me a little or I'd probably just get too worked up - maybe. I like to throw down an ibuprofen and a RB (or a :coffee:) about a half an hour before an afternoon race. Maybe that's why I 'll talk with others. :D
Former Member
I'm laughing as I'm thinking of what I do. . .
I like to hand hubby my glasses right before I hop onto the blocks. He gives me a kiss and yells, "Race!" and "Go Fast!" while shaking his fist in the air. I always get a chuckle out of this.
I want to get to the pool at least 2 hr before my first event.I warm up for about 30 min,meditate for about 15 min,wander around and talk to friends about 20 min,lie down and visualize my race about 25 min.About 30 min before I swim I go and put on my Fastskin(don't warm up in your Fastskin,it should be dry) and wander around with increasing amount of bouncing and flailing my arms until I am warmed up.Just before I get on the blocks I like to shake the hands of my heat mates(we are all in it together to swim fast.) Then get on the block a the long whistle and be ready to go.Maybe I am a little obsessive,but it keeps me excited not anxious(mostly)
My pre-race ritual changes from meet to meet and certainly doesn't stay consistent within a meet.
Pre-Meet:
I love having an omelette and/or Blueberry muffins the morning of swimming: this weekend, I had the omelette on Saturday, but Sunday, had to wolf down a pair of mini danishes, bacon and a muffin on my way out the door to warmups... (had a PB in the 400 an hour later).
Sometimes I stretch a lot; sometimes a little; sometimes not at all.
Pre-swim:
Sometimes there is ipod; more often, there is not. Sometimes there is looking-intensely-at-pool concentration; more often, I am chatting it up with a timer, fellow competitor or other swimmer on deck. Sometimes I will warm up ~10 minutes before an event; more often, the warmdown from the event 1/2 hr ago will do just fine.
I think the only thing that stays the same is putting on my goggles, then cap, about ~3 minutes before I swim, and making sure they're fog-free and secure as I step up on the block; and my concentration on the race as soon as I step up on the block.
you forgot your other ritual: upsetting the ladies of the 1776 team by displaying your "plumber's" butt cleavage atop your legsuit...and I quote: "...it's a shame because he is such a good looking young man too!"
:rofl::lolup:
HA HA! I think everyone saw that cleavage!
For my pre-race ritual, it varies. Sometimes I try to focus on my race, but usually I do better when I just chill out and chat with others before my heat. I do get paranoid about my goggles so I usually mess with them and clear the insides right before the race starts.
I never come up with a mantra before the race, it just hits me during my swim. Last weekend in the 200 back it was "Just keep swimming, don't give up" and the 50 back was "I AM A SPRINTER" and the 100 back was a close race and I knew it going into the 3rd turn so it became "Who wants it more?" and "It will be over soon!" And my favorite was the 400 free..."DO NOT lose the bet!" And I won the bet by .58 and I dropped 11 seconds off my best time! YAY!
As far as warming up before events, I usually try to jump in and do about 200 before each of my swims. Not sure why, I always just feel like it helps!
Julie
you forgot your other ritual: upsetting the ladies of the 1776 team by displaying your "plumber's" butt cleavage atop your legsuit...and I quote: "...it's a shame because he is such a good looking young man too!"
Let me publicly apologize... due to recent injury-related weight-gain and hockey-related growth of thighs, that was as high as it would go... i was not the only person who was surprised that I could still get that suit on.
;):fish2::banana:
Former Member
My pre-race ritual changes from meet to meet and certainly doesn't stay consistent within a meet.
Pre-Meet:
I love having an omelette and/or Blueberry muffins the morning of swimming: this weekend, I had the omelette on Saturday, but Sunday, had to wolf down a pair of mini danishes, bacon and a muffin on my way out the door to warmups... (had a PB in the 400 an hour later).
Sometimes I stretch a lot; sometimes a little; sometimes not at all.
Pre-swim:
Sometimes there is ipod; more often, there is not. Sometimes there is looking-intensely-at-pool concentration; more often, I am chatting it up with a timer, fellow competitor or other swimmer on deck. Sometimes I will warm up ~10 minutes before an event; more often, the warmdown from the event 1/2 hr ago will do just fine.
I think the only thing that stays the same is putting on my goggles, then cap, about ~3 minutes before I swim, and making sure they're fog-free and secure as I step up on the block; and my concentration on the race as soon as I step up on the block.
you forgot your other ritual: upsetting the ladies of the 1776 team by displaying your "plumber's" butt cleavage atop your legsuit...and I quote: "...it's a shame because he is such a good looking young man too!"
:rofl::lolup:
