I was just wondering what you guys do for pre-meet jitters. I'm going to my second Master's Meet April 10 & 11th in Lexington, KY. I'm swimming my first backstroke events at this meet. Since I never was an age grouper, high school, or college swimmer, I tend to get really nervous the closer to a meet that I get. It's getting so bad this time, that it's getting to the point that I'm not having fun anymore. I've also started to dread going to practice and just swimming in general. Do any of you have advice? Any help would be appreciated.
I've always suffered from performance anxiety all my life. I'm a perfectionist too. It also makes me nervous doing anything in front of a group of people (stage fright?) It has gotten SO much better, since I've become an adult but is now rearing its ugly head again. Logically, I know in my head that everyone has to have a first meet, but that doesn't seem to help me much.
I am anxious about my performance and time. I'm also really anxious, because I feel unprepared. I wasn't planning on going to this meet, until my coach begged at the last minute. I haven't had much practice starting off the blocks, and that makes me nervous. The meet is in a week, and I just started backstroke starts yesterday.
I'm actually wondering today, if I should skip this meet and just keep working toward my events at Nationals. Thoughts?
Masters is very different than age group swimming. Everyone wants to see you do well (even your competitors) and they are quick with a word of support if you don't. Have a great time, and go to the meet- it will be worth 5 practices.
I've always suffered from performance anxiety all my life. I'm a perfectionist too. It also makes me nervous doing anything in front of a group of people (stage fright?) It has gotten SO much better, since I've become an adult but is now rearing its ugly head again. Logically, I know in my head that everyone has to have a first meet, but that doesn't seem to help me much.
I am anxious about my performance and time. I'm also really anxious, because I feel unprepared. I wasn't planning on going to this meet, until my coach begged at the last minute. I haven't had much practice starting off the blocks, and that makes me nervous. The meet is in a week, and I just started backstroke starts yesterday.
I'm actually wondering today, if I should skip this meet and just keep working toward my events at Nationals. Thoughts?
Masters is very different than age group swimming. Everyone wants to see you do well (even your competitors) and they are quick with a word of support if you don't. Have a great time, and go to the meet- it will be worth 5 practices.
