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Calming your nerves before competition
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 2009-09-16 4:12 PM |
Member  12 |  Subject: Calming your nerves before competitionMy first Tri is this Sunday (Long Beach Sprint Tri) and I'm starting to feel nervous. What do YOU do to calm your nerves before the event? |
| 2009-09-16 4:15 PM in reply to: #2410295 |
Master 2327    North Alabama | Subject: RE: Calming your nerves before competition Honestly, I know that I've trained, trained correctly, and that's about it. Sorta like school... you do the work, the test is easy. You just have to show up and do it. Take a few deep breaths. Don't worry. Especially if it's your first time. Just go out there and have FUN. Compete on the second one. Not to be rude, but it'd be easier for us to ensure you'll do good if we could see some training in your logs! That'll really help when looking for input. |
| 2009-09-16 4:18 PM in reply to: #2410295 |
Elite 3315 Miami | Subject: RE: Calming your nerves before competition i find that before a race i am pretty nervous I usually try to step into the porter potty and try to stay in there for a few seconds, my record is 15..... usually the smell in there will take yoru mind off of pretty much anything. |
| 2009-09-16 4:18 PM in reply to: #2410302 |
Sensei Sin City | Subject: RE: Calming your nerves before competition The first is the worst. Not sure what to tell you but just have faith in your training. I couldn't sleep for two nights before my first race. Now I don't give it a second thought. I like to mentally visualize a stong race. I picture a strong swim, strong bike, perfect form on the run, perfect transitions... Then I try to follow through on it. You will be fine. Edited by Aikidoman 2009-09-16 4:20 PM |
| 2009-09-16 4:23 PM in reply to: #2410295 |
Member 12 | Subject: RE: Calming your nerves before competition I've been training in all disciplines for the past 2 1/2 months. I'm not terribly concerned about the bike & run since I'm an avid runner and really enjoy the bike, it's the dreaded swim that mostly has me worried. I've been struggling with the swimming but feel I have come a long way from only being to do 25 yards to 400 to 500 yards none stop. I know I will finish my swim, I would just like to complete it in a decent time. A decent time for ME would be under 1/2 hour, I know that's a really long time but I think I would be happy with that for now. |
| 2009-09-16 4:28 PM in reply to: #2410295 |
Expert 2555 Colorado Springs, Colorado | Subject: RE: Calming your nerves before competition Harness the nervous energy by doing a good warmup. Walk through the transition area to see how to get to your bike from the swim in, where to go on the bike out, where to return on the bike in, and where to go for the run. Double check your gear in transtion to be sure you have it laid out the way you've practiced. IOW, keep as busy as you can to keep the nerves calm. Have fun! |
| 2009-09-16 5:47 PM in reply to: #2410295 |
Veteran 499 El Segundo, CA | Subject: RE: Calming your nerves before competition While it's a good idea to make sure your transition area is set up correctly, don't spend too long with it. Or anything else, for that matter. You can psyche yourself out by getting too obsessed over small details. As with training, trust that you've done everything right- at the end of day, it's just swimming, biking, and running. Talk to people, drink some water, go to the bathroom, check out the vendors booths. That said, any and all nervousness with vanish once the gun goes off. From that point on, it's sweet, sweet adrenaline. |
| 2009-09-16 5:56 PM in reply to: #2410295 |
Pro 4828 The Land of Ice and Snow | Subject: RE: Calming your nerves before competition I suffer from re race nerves as well But before my HIM I found a great way to be Zen like before the race. I have a dear friend who is battling cancer. All she asks is to be able to live. I wrote her name on my arm and it helped immensely. Made me remember that this was just a sport, was just for fun, and that I was d*mn lucky to be healthy and fit. I was VERY Zen.....that is until I lost the top of my wetsuit , had a complete fit and was late for the swim start!!!!! |
| 2009-09-16 6:41 PM in reply to: #2410295 |
Member 190 Panama City Beach | Subject: RE: Calming your nerves before competition Oh I get nervous, but that's part of the fun. One thing I do to get rid of all the doubts, is write a race report BEFORE the race. I put in everything, what I pack, how I set up transition, what position I enter the water in and how my swim went, ect...... Very detailed. I'm standing at the start with a good plan, now when the horn blows I just execute the plan. I also include in the plan what I will do if things do go the way I want. |
| 2009-09-16 8:10 PM in reply to: #2410295 |
Veteran 135 | Subject: RE: Calming your nerves before competition My wife slaps me........on the butt and tells me "go get 'em killer" and winks! It cracks me up and I realize I won't finish first overall but I'm there having fun and competing for my age group! |
| 2009-09-16 8:10 PM in reply to: #2410295 |
Veteran 135 | Subject: RE: Calming your nerves before competition My wife slaps me........on the butt and tells me "go get 'em killer" and winks! It cracks me up and I realize I won't finish first overall but I'm there having fun and competing for my age group! |
| 2009-09-16 8:38 PM in reply to: #2410332 |
Expert 1245 New York Bronze member | Subject: RE: Calming your nerves before competition Donskiman - 2009-09-16 5:28 PM Harness the nervous energy by doing a good warmup. Walk through the transition area to see how to get to your bike from the swim in, where to go on the bike out, where to return on the bike in, and where to go for the run. Double check your gear in transtion to be sure you have it laid out the way you've practiced. IOW, keep as busy as you can to keep the nerves calm. Have fun! x2. Get there early enough to do a quick warm up, either in the water or a quick jog. I like to run, gets rid of that last bit of unnecessary nervous adrenaline in my system (I think it's the idea that my heart is racing, but I can convince myself it's because I just did a quick run, so that's totally normal--whereas if I'm just standing around and my heart is racing, all I can think is, "OMG, I'm so nervous! My heart is racing!"). Also, count the rows of bikes to your transition spot. Go into transition from the swim exit, and again from the bike in, just to get an idea of where you should head to get your bike and re-rack it. But don't obsess too much. Have confidence in your training, the details at this point will not make or break your race. And most importantly, enjoy the experience. Good luck! |
| 2009-09-16 8:40 PM in reply to: #2410295 |
Champion 7704 Williamston, Michigan | Subject: RE: Calming your nerves before competition In general I am not a nervous racer. I have calmed many a nervous racer by pointing out that there are lots more important things in life to be stressed over it. Your hobby is not one of them. You are not sick or battling some dread disease, its not life or death its not how you earn your living. Celebrate the fact you are able to train and race. Soak it all in and enjoy your day. Edited by Socks 2009-09-16 8:42 PM |
| 2009-09-16 8:51 PM in reply to: #2410295 |
Champion 5782 Northridge, California | Subject: RE: Calming your nerves before competition If you're extraverted enough, chat with other extraverts in your wave. (Just don't let them psych you out telling you about how fast they are.) I'm a big believer in visualization. I do like to spend a few moments before the swim just mentally picturing how I plan to get to the first buoy...what the water's going to be like...exactly what I'll do when I exit the water (peel down top of wetsuit, pull off goggles and cap)...whatever else. Deep, slow, breathing is helpful both for calming heart rate and getting ready for disciplined breathing on the swim. Once you're out in the water, of course, it becomes a free-for-all and much of the above probably will go out the window...but not all of it will. |
| 2009-09-16 8:53 PM in reply to: #2410295 |
Champion 6627 Rochester Hills, Michigan Gold member | Subject: RE: Calming your nerves before competition X3 on the warmup....but with a twist. Warm up for the swim....at least 5-10 minutes. Get the heart rate up, get the face in the cold water thing out of the way, pee in your wetsuit, all therapeutic. That, or a cinnamon roll and a diet pepsi and redbull. It gives you wings.  |
| 2009-09-16 9:55 PM in reply to: #2410295 |
Expert 1186 North Cackalacky | Subject: RE: Calming your nerves before competition I have only done one tri so far, but whenever I need to calm my nerves about anything these days, I just remind myself that it's very, very, very unlikely that anyone is going to be shooting at me while I'm doing whatever it is that has me nervous. For me, it always helps to know that it could be way worse.  |
| 2009-09-16 10:22 PM in reply to: #2410295 |
Master 2802 Minnetonka, Minnesota | Subject: RE: Calming your nerves before competition I have not done a lot of Tris, but have done tons of running races so don't get that nervous anymore. But I still get that nervous energy flowing before the start of a Tri. This helps me: I like to get real familiar with the Tran area - my spot and the entries and exits adn visualize each tran - and then get in the water and swim some and just hang out in the water before the start. I like to know that the "shock" of hitting the water is behind me before I get in line or in my wave. Good luck! |
| 2009-09-16 10:28 PM in reply to: #2410295 |
| Regular 123 | Subject: RE: Calming your nerves before competition It's ok to be nervous.....but change the nervous energy to an excited energy. My first event was this past June and the day I picked up my race packet the nerves started kicking in. I realized that I had trained well for it and made up my mind that I was going to be "excited" for race day to arrive. I can tell you that the night before I felt like a kid waiting for Christmas morning to arrive. |
| 2009-09-17 8:52 AM in reply to: #2410295 |
Master 2223 Columbus, OhioCoaching member | Subject: RE: Calming your nerves before competition I used to find a dog to pet on the beach. Somebody ALWAYS brings a dog. Now I usually get to see my kids and they give me a big hug and that helps a lot. |
| 2009-09-17 10:37 AM in reply to: #2410295 |
Member 17 Stamford, CT | Subject: RE: Calming your nerves before competition Oooh i like the dog suggestion! Dogs always put a huge smile on my face & put me at ease! I was riding the NYC Century ride this past Sunday & early on, I saw a Bernese Mountain Dog, my absolute favorite breed! I talked w/ the owner at the light & pet Luke a few times & went on my way. As lovely as the ride was, my favorite part of the day was Luke, the big Bernese Mountain Dog! |
| 2009-09-17 11:21 AM in reply to: #2410295 |
| Extreme Veteran 1030 West Windsor, NJ | Subject: RE: Calming your nerves before competition Yeah..best thing for me is to really harness that energy, not fight it. Its your adrenaline pump flowing, and that is a really good thing! That's what makes you "GO" on race day and makes it a special day versus just another swim/bike/run workout. So, I just try to focus and use it as much as I can. I would hate to be dead calm with no butterflies or "excitedness" on race day. That feeling and the one that you get when the finish line is in sight is what I do this for.. |
| 2009-09-17 11:28 AM in reply to: #2411293 |
Master 1920 Ann Arbor, MI | Subject: RE: Calming your nerves before competition ahohl - 2009-09-17 9:52 AM I used to find a dog to pet on the beach. Somebody ALWAYS brings a dog. Now I usually get to see my kids and they give me a big hug and that helps a lot. I ALWAYS do this. I have to! My best race was after I found someone who had two australian shepherds- one of which could've been my dogs twin. I won the race, and I think it was 'cause of the dogs  My race nerves are so bad, that I usually puke. Kinda sucks to start an HIM after puking. I've gotten it under better control this season- I just try to constantly remember that this is 'FUN'. Then I think of focusing my energy, and really really concentrate on that. |
| 2009-09-17 12:06 PM in reply to: #2410295 |
Master 2235 Pacific Northwest | Subject: RE: Calming your nerves before competition Thanks for the timely post--my first HIM is on Saturday and I am starting to get super nervous.....I have done the training but it is a new distance to race and that is always anxiety-provoking. I have made about 10 different lists, so even if I am feeling aimless, I can pick one up and get something done today instead of just walking in circles. I've almost managed to get all my gear together in one place. . . Good luck in your race! -Leslie |
| 2009-09-17 12:14 PM in reply to: #2410295 |
Champion 10157 Alabama | Subject: RE: Calming your nerves before competition I'll tell you how a BOPer like me stays calm. I tell myself: It's just a race Mike. It's not like I'm storming the beach at Normany. I'm not trying to win, I'm just trying to do my best and have fun. And I tell myself that when I get out in the water, I'm going to stop swimming and just look around at all the people swimming and count myself a winner for having made it to the starting line and participate in the event. I will consider myself among the lucky few who are physically able to swim, bike and run. Now, it you are nervous because you are trying to podium finish in your AG then I can't help you. :-) ~Mike |
| 2009-09-17 12:25 PM in reply to: #2410295 |
Expert 1053 Culpeper, VA | Subject: RE: Calming your nerves before competition I get so wrapped up setting up transition and chatting with people around me I don't really feel nervous. There is a little buzz of excitement inside me, but that is just part of competing. I am pretty sure once you get there and run through the process of setting up transition, getting your chip, body marked, lined up, etc. you are going to have the time of your life. Relax, be as prepared as possible and have fun. |
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