Friday, December 26, 2008

No matter how irrational this may seem, I get nervous when I step up to the blocks!


When I compete, I have nothing to be nervous about, yet when I get to the starting blocks for the 100-free my heart rate generally elevates to about 100-beats-per-minute or usually more. There is no rational reason to be nervous so I just accept that I will be nervous and that I will have no choice in the matter.

Here is how triathlete, Emma Snowsill, deals with pressure where she is quoted in Sydney Morning Herald:

"...Triathlete Emma Snowsill, who won gold in Beijing, on dealing with fame: "I was putting a lot of my own pressure on before the Olympics and I had a bit of a light bulb moment when I was out training, and when I got home I said to [my fiance and coach] Craig Walton, 'No matter what happens at the Olympics, the beach is still going to be there and my house is still going to be there and my dog is not going to know if I have a gold medal or not,' and that's what it's been like. Nothing feels any different to me. ..."

[Link]

Isn't it amazing how good philosophy, politics, or a policy looks on paper?

But when you get to the starting blocks and you suddenly become "adrenalized," why is it then that you remember that your "rational mind" has never, ever, won an argument with with your "irrational heart?"

4 comments:

Unknown said...

I believe a bit of nervousness is essential to a good swim!

Unknown said...

I believe a bit of nervousness is essential to a good swim!

Trevor said...

A great saying I go by when I'm nervous about going onstage or competing in swimming: "Nerves are the respect you pay the audience/your competitors."

Tony Austin said...

That's is an amazing bit of advice!

P.S. We need to finish that donation process you talked to me about