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!
Trin --
Find out what calms you down outside of the pool and do that before your race. A lot of people find music works wonders for that.
The "mind being clear" thought is a good one: as I'm actually standing behind the blocks in the heat or so before my race, I'm actively trying NOT to think about the race ahead. I know that might seem like ignoring the elephant in the room, but it helps clear my head.
Also, I kind of remind myself -- this is Masters swimming and I'm doing this for fun. Yes, I want to win, do PRs, etc. ... but, at the end of the race, if I flubbed a turn, got DQ'd or swam horribly, etc., I try not to sweat it because this is my "hobby" for fun and staying in shape. (Don't get me wrong, I sometimes still get PO'd, but I get over it much more quickly than in my younger days)
Trin --
Find out what calms you down outside of the pool and do that before your race. A lot of people find music works wonders for that.
The "mind being clear" thought is a good one: as I'm actually standing behind the blocks in the heat or so before my race, I'm actively trying NOT to think about the race ahead. I know that might seem like ignoring the elephant in the room, but it helps clear my head.
Also, I kind of remind myself -- this is Masters swimming and I'm doing this for fun. Yes, I want to win, do PRs, etc. ... but, at the end of the race, if I flubbed a turn, got DQ'd or swam horribly, etc., I try not to sweat it because this is my "hobby" for fun and staying in shape. (Don't get me wrong, I sometimes still get PO'd, but I get over it much more quickly than in my younger days)
