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.
It would help if we knew specifically what you were nervous about. Can you put your finger on it? My first inclination is to think that there's absolutely no pressure because you don't have a swimming background, it's only your second meet, and you haven't done backstroke before. So, you can't possibly fail. You're guaranteed a best time! :)
Are you anxious about your performance (your time?) or about the logistics of getting into the water, keeping water out of your mouth and nose, etc.?
If you are concerned about your time, I would say to just try to set other goals totally unrelated to time. How about setting a goal like, "I'm going to meet 10 people at the upcoming meet"? I know it sounds corny, but it's working for me. I changed my attitude recently when I realized that I was missing out on the fun of meets by obsessing over a few tenths here or there. Now I'm having more fun, and actually swimming better in some events because I'm so relaxed.........
I haven't had much practice starting off the blocks, and that makes me nervous.
Then start in the water. Inform them first though.
The first meet is a good way to get baseline times to the 1/100ths of a second, dont skip out dude.
Hi moody!!
I think I may come to this meet! I need another chance in the 1650 Free. I missed my goal time by 4 seconds last week-end at master's state and I want another try. I will look around and try to find you. Maybe my soothing, zen-like state will help to calm you down. (jk, I am a hyper-crazy person) but you still might like me! :angel:
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:
Really? Says who? We all swim for our own reasons. I personally don't swim with losing as my goal, although it does frequently happen.
I think you misunderstood what I meant. or at least the reasoning behind it. I never swim to lose either, but it happens frequently. I swim to better my time, and my records. I hope that means I win every race, and set the top times. But if the only reason I swim is to set a record or win a race, and not because I love it, what happens when I lose?
Before the first event of my first meet (2 months ago) I developed some bad anxiety. My heart felt like it was ready to bust through my chest. I had to lay down and do breathing exercises which helped a little. Then the second event of the same meet was the opposite, I was too relaxed. I did PB in both because they were my first ones.
My second meet it happened again, 1st event panic attack, afterwards I'm fine. Did PB's in both events so I was happy.
Now my most recent, 3rd, meet I had no panic or anxiety whatsoever. This was because I arrived so late that the start horn for my 50 fr went off as I entered the building. I was too angry to be anxious about anything, but I did PB's in the two other events. After the meet I asked the director if I could get a 50 in just for time since I was late. They were happy to, and I got a PB.
If I still get the nerves at my next meet I'll have to figure out how to controll it because it does have a bad effect on my start. Being angry seems to work, perhaps listening to gangster rap or death metal after warm up might help me.
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.
Deep breaths, music you like, and a lot of positive visualization as part of training. At a meet, it also helps to have someone to BS with so you're not just sitting around thinking about the things you're anxious about.
(These are things a baseball coach taught me a long time ago.)
