login
Overcoming Big Event Fear
-
No new posts
 2009-06-29 5:59 PM |
Extreme Veteran  790    Rocklin |  Subject: Overcoming Big Event FearHi all, I've been training hard for Deathride the past year as a replacement for tris until my knee gets a little better. So I'm 12 days out and freaking. The ride is ridiculous in that its 5 mountain passes, 129 miles, and 15K of climbing. All this is at altitude (you start riding at 5,000 feet). So I went out last weekend and pre-rode 2 of the 5 passes. It was literally the hardest thing I have ever done. My coach says I'm ready, and it's different when the ride is supported and you are with other riders, but I'm seriously doubting myself. I switched tracking my rides onto a different website, so my logs are a bit off over the past month since I picked up a garmin, but I think I've done the miles. What tools do you use to overcome the fear on race day? I imagine you iron distance athletes have experienced the fear before the event particularly since it's hard to practice a simulated Ironman. I practiced sprint tri's all the time before my events, so I knew what to expect, but I'm pretty much a stressball right now. Help. |
| 2009-06-29 6:18 PM in reply to: #2251569 |
Cycling Guru 15134 Fulton, MD | Subject: RE: Overcoming Big Event Fear Call me crazy or an oddball ........ I don;t have any pre-race jitters or anything like that. At the start line (whether it is in the water for a tri or at the line in a run or bike race) I'll be excited and ready to go, but never nervous or butterflies. It is all about a mental state of relaxation. It is just another day that has a start and finish line, and if you're lucky a medal or two! |
| 2009-06-29 6:20 PM in reply to: #2251569 |
Champion 8766  Evergreen, Colorado | Subject: RE: Overcoming Big Event Fear I just try to think to myself that DNF'ing isn't the worst thing ever. Life could definitely be worse than DNF'ing a race. In the grand scheme of life...it's just an event. Good luck.  |
| 2009-06-29 7:24 PM in reply to: #2251569 |
Regular 50 ohio | Subject: RE: Overcoming Big Event Fear Deep Breath... feel the fear...use the fear...relax... you've done the training. Calmly but with a purpose, you've got this... Ride like hell. This is my mantra when I get worked up. Also when someone asks how you are doing say Great or wonderful even if it's a lie False motivation is better than no motivation. Nerves are normal if channelled correctly it can help. Focus on staying calm let the ride come to you don't force it. Go your pace. outlast em' hope this helps even if it sounds corney. |
| 2009-06-29 8:26 PM in reply to: #2251569 |
| Expert 658 | Subject: RE: Overcoming Big Event Fear Just listen to Bob Marley man, works for me every time |
| 2009-06-30 12:17 PM in reply to: #2251744 |
Extreme Veteran 790 Rocklin | Subject: RE: Overcoming Big Event Fear next633 - 2009-06-29 5:24 PM Deep Breath... feel the fear...use the fear...relax... you've done the training. Calmly but with a purpose, you've got this... Ride like hell. This is my mantra when I get worked up. Also when someone asks how you are doing say Great or wonderful even if it's a lie False motivation is better than no motivation. Nerves are normal if channelled correctly it can help. Focus on staying calm let the ride come to you don't force it. Go your pace. outlast em' hope this helps even if it sounds corney. I love it. "Feeling good" will be my answer all day. I've never really freaked out over a sporting event, but then again, I've never been so far outside my comfort zone in anything. Last night my coach cut our ride short and ducked into a little strip mall. He says, "let's stop here and replace some carbs." A pitcher of ice-cold Coors Lite later (it was a roundtable...nothing good on tap), and I was fired up again. I suppose riding alone, and suffering alone, sucks compared to competing together. I'm always fired up to see how much support endurance athletes give each other, and I guess riding without that made it much harder. With that said, "I'm feeling good." See, it's working already. |
| 2009-06-30 12:19 PM in reply to: #2251613 |
Extreme Veteran 790 Rocklin | Subject: RE: Overcoming Big Event Fear jldicarlo - 2009-06-29 4:20 PM I just try to think to myself that DNF'ing isn't the worst thing ever. Life could definitely be worse than DNF'ing a race. In the grand scheme of life...it's just an event. Good luck. I think that was my wife's exact words. Mind you, she has never DNF'd, and podiums every race. They will have to pull me from the course...otherwise, I'm going to push my bike across the finish line if necessary. |
| 2009-06-30 12:26 PM in reply to: #2253379 |
Master 1420 Victoria, BC | Subject: RE: Overcoming Big Event Fear A doctor friend of mine told me this last year when I had similar fears (re: teaching for the first time) - whether it's completely true or not I don't care, because it works for me: Physiologically, nervousness and excitement create the same affect in the body. Your body does not know if you are nervous or excited ... only your brain knows. So use that nervous energy and turn it into excitement, turn it into courage and willingness and ready-to-go-edness! Think of it this way - you have a blank slate of energy .. where you direct it and how you use it is up to you. |
| 2009-06-30 1:32 PM in reply to: #2253379 |
Champion 8766 Evergreen, Colorado | Subject: RE: Overcoming Big Event Fear aggiecatcher - 2009-06-30 12:19 PM jldicarlo - 2009-06-29 4:20 PM I just try to think to myself that DNF'ing isn't the worst thing ever. Life could definitely be worse than DNF'ing a race. In the grand scheme of life...it's just an event. I think that was my wife's exact words. Mind you, she has never DNF'd, and podiums every race. They will have to pull me from the course...otherwise, I'm going to push my bike across the finish line if necessary.Good luck. I've never DNF'd either...but I don't podium at races. And I too would push my bike across the finish line before quitting (probably...depends on how far I had to walk in those stupid cleats!). But it still doesn't change the fact that $hit happens and you just never know what can cause you to potentially DNF. The race will still be there next year...that doesn't mean I wouldn't be UPSET. But it just isn't on part with things like...death, terminal illness, parlyzing accident, etc. etc. No matter how bad it gets...it could be worse. |
| 2009-06-30 1:47 PM in reply to: #2251569 |
Expert 663 A little slice of paradise | Subject: RE: Overcoming Big Event Fear I give myself this pep talk "You have prepared for this and you can do it" |
|
|
|
View profile
Add to friends
Go to training log
Go to race log
Send a message
View album
CONNECT WITH FACEBOOK