How do I deal with nerves?

I am new to Masters swimming, and I am swimming my first meet at Auburn this weekend. Today when I was practicing, I would get on the blocks and start thinking about the meet. I would get so nervous and shaky that I could barely finish a 50!! After I stopped timing myself and told myself I was "just swimming an easy 50" I did okay. Any advice for Saturday? Also...I cannot decide about my flip turn. I feel like it is different EVERY time I do it. Sometimes too close, others too far away, and sometimes right on. Should I try it in the meet, or just go for the open turn? It's not like I'm a contender or anything..... Thanks for any advice!Picture success. Picture yourself out touching your opponent at the end of a race. You're tired. You haven't taken a breath the entire length. You stretch out to touch the wall, picture that feeling and the expression of joy you feel when you take your first breath of relief and look up at the score board. Or if your the analytical type, consider that nerves are only the body dealing with stress. It's a good thing. When you're nervous your immune system is firing on all cylinders. Your pupils become dilated. Your heart beat increases and there is adrenaline going though your system that will actually make you faster.

I am new to Masters swimming, and I am swimming my first meet at Auburn this weekend. Today when I was practicing, I would get on the blocks and start thinking about the meet. I would get so nervous and shaky that I could barely finish a 50!! After I stopped timing myself and told myself I was "just swimming an easy 50" I did okay. Any advice for Saturday? Also...I cannot decide about my flip turn. I feel like it is different EVERY time I do it. Sometimes too close, others too far away, and sometimes right on. Should I try it in the meet, or just go for the open turn? It's not like I'm a contender or anything..... Thanks for any advice!Picture success. Picture yourself out touching your opponent at the end of a race. You're tired. You haven't taken a breath the entire length. You stretch out to touch the wall, picture that feeling and the expression of joy you feel when you take your first breath of relief and look up at the score board. Or if your the analytical type, consider that nerves are only the body dealing with stress. It's a good thing. When you're nervous your immune system is firing on all cylinders. Your pupils become dilated. Your heart beat increases and there is adrenaline going though your system that will actually make you faster.