Pre-Meet Jitters/Anxiety

Cheryl, I know EXACTLY what you're going through! As you know, I was in my first meet this past weekend- since 1979! I was quite nervous going into my first event, the 200 breaststroke (We did 100's in high school, so I never had competed in the 200.) :afraid: I can tell you from this recent experience, there is NOTHING like the feeling of finishing that first race and knowing you SURVIVED- and enjoyed it! And, yes, you WILL survive! :D You will feel a great sense of satisfaction and be so happy you didn't let yourself down by not meeting this challenge. The second day of the meet was a blast for me. I enjoyed meeting other swimmers and managed to rope the only three other swimmers from my team into doing a relay. We had exactly two women and two men, so I signed us up for the relay without two of them knowing. Then, the swimmer who I talked into it and I broke the news to the other two. We ended up having a great time, working our way from 6th place (after back) to 5th (I passed a breaststroker), then up to 3rd by the end. High five's all around and it was FUN! I ended up leaving the meet feeling great. I recommend getting yourself on a relay team and being the ringleader like I was. I fired them up before we hit the water and we were all having a great time by the end. We just had FUN with it and did not take it seriously. It's a great opportunity to practice your 50 backstroke and a fun way to get to know some other swimmers. The best advice I got when I arrived at the St. Pat's meet and signed in was, "HAVE FUN!" Since I'm one who tends to take things (too) seriously, it was the best advice to take to heart. I took things too seriously on the high school team (winning me the "Worry Award" at the team banquet...), so this is my chance for a do-over. And, I really AM having fun. I'll be looking for you at Nationals and we can help each other get the jitters out of our system. OK? Goooo Cheryl! :cheerleader:

Cheryl, I know EXACTLY what you're going through! As you know, I was in my first meet this past weekend- since 1979! I was quite nervous going into my first event, the 200 breaststroke (We did 100's in high school, so I never had competed in the 200.) :afraid: I can tell you from this recent experience, there is NOTHING like the feeling of finishing that first race and knowing you SURVIVED- and enjoyed it! And, yes, you WILL survive! :D You will feel a great sense of satisfaction and be so happy you didn't let yourself down by not meeting this challenge. The second day of the meet was a blast for me. I enjoyed meeting other swimmers and managed to rope the only three other swimmers from my team into doing a relay. We had exactly two women and two men, so I signed us up for the relay without two of them knowing. Then, the swimmer who I talked into it and I broke the news to the other two. We ended up having a great time, working our way from 6th place (after back) to 5th (I passed a breaststroker), then up to 3rd by the end. High five's all around and it was FUN! I ended up leaving the meet feeling great. I recommend getting yourself on a relay team and being the ringleader like I was. I fired them up before we hit the water and we were all having a great time by the end. We just had FUN with it and did not take it seriously. It's a great opportunity to practice your 50 backstroke and a fun way to get to know some other swimmers. The best advice I got when I arrived at the St. Pat's meet and signed in was, "HAVE FUN!" Since I'm one who tends to take things (too) seriously, it was the best advice to take to heart. I took things too seriously on the high school team (winning me the "Worry Award" at the team banquet...), so this is my chance for a do-over. And, I really AM having fun. I'll be looking for you at Nationals and we can help each other get the jitters out of our system. OK? Goooo Cheryl! :cheerleader: