freaking out beforehand ...
477
Member
1257 days
geochuck posted 3 years ago.
Freaking out beforehand
Memories of freaking out, at 29 years of age I was racing in some sprint swimming races, 110 free 100 fly. The younger swimmers were really gung ho. Me training 800 meters a day, those kids coming up doing 4 to 5000 meters a day. That is when I was nervous and freaking out. I did not want to let them beat me. That day I beat the world record holder for the 100 fly, what a relief, I also won the 100 free. That was it for me and racing sprints.
99
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1749 days
wrobis1 posted 3 years ago.
I'm not sure how drawing lines on your goggles would help. Yes, it might make you swim in a straight line, but if you're going in the wrong direction wouldn't you just end up swimming in a straight line in the wrong direction? I can see where the idea might work if visibility was 100% perfect and you could see all the way to the bottom. I'd just work on looking up every 5-6 breaths.
Matt
81
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1464 days
pimm posted 3 years ago.
OK, thanks for input.
I don't feel prepared at all, but what the hell ; just goin' to give it a go!
Anybody that can share some of those nervous moments in their Tri-career (and interesting for me : what did you do to calm yourself down?) ???
19
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1270 days
weigh2go posted 3 years ago.
Funny You Freakin Bout Open Water Swim, I Can Just Barely Dog Paddle And They Wont Let Me Use Water Wings......thinking Of Filling My Camel Pac With Air And Strapping That Sucker On!!! Youll Be Fine, I Know That Cuz My Race Is In 2 Sleeps And I Will Be Fine.......so There We Are All Fine.......try Visualization, Works For Me, In My Mind I Am The Torpedo!!! :d
477
Member
1257 days
geochuck posted 3 years ago.
Calming things? I used to listen to subliminal tapes by Barrie Konicov of Potentials Unlimited. http://thepotentialsunlimited.com/
99
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1749 days
wrobis1 posted 3 years ago.
Pimm, just remember that if you get tired you can always swim over to a canoe, boat, etc. and rest for a minute. As long as you don't gain any forward motion from them it's perfectly legal. You will not be the first person in the history of tris to have to take a rest. Good luck and let us know how you do.
Matt
81
Member
1464 days
pimm posted 3 years ago.
Thanks for all your helpful and supporting replies ...
Raceday's tomorrow, thinking 'bout it gets me all nervous, but in a good way now! :)
I'm excited!
Pimm
81
Member
1464 days
pimm posted 3 years ago.
Thanks for asking!
Well, I felt pretty comfortable in the water during warm-up ...
The water obviously was cold and pitch-black (no clear blue sees or lakes in Belgium here ...), but I'd though I'd be OK.
Once the start was given, a different story : just as OPIE in a previous thread, I got somewhat anxious in that dark water-mass, and I couldn't get into a good rythym, so my breathing pattern was ... well ... no pattern at all! :) After a while I got over my first fears, and once I was somewhat isolated I settled down a bit & did quite alright.
Since this race was in my home-town, I'm going to enroll for the full Qrtr-Tri next year, and practice a lot in the open water, so I feel more confident and prepared.
As Opie seems to have some problems in open water, i'm freaking out right now 'cause I'll be having my first Open Water experience on Sunday ... I'm no pro when it comes to swimming (UNDERstatement) :( , and I'm worried about what I'm going to face in that event ...
It's a Sprint Tri, and I've picked up a lot thanks to good replies on Opie's thread (http://www.trifuel.com/forums/showthread.php?t=825 ) ...
My worries :
- first time in a wetsuit (what if the size isn't a perfect fit?) - rented ...
- the goggles-issue : do you guys actually draw lines on your goggles so as to swim straight?
and if so : this way? \ / this way? | |
and does it actually help?
Thanks for all info, on Opie's thread as well as mine ...