Quick Dip: Why Am I Nervous About Racing Swimmers I Used to Beat?

A short read for the car journey

Category: Mindset | Read time: Under 2 minutes

You see a familiar name on the start list. You used to beat them, but now the race feels close. Instead of looking forward to it, you worry about losing or what people might think.

Past results can create an expectation: “I beat them before, so I should beat them again.” That can make racing feel like something you have to prove.

Your previous placing is not something you owe anyone. Swimmers develop at different rates. Others may be growing stronger or improving their skills, even while you are getting faster too.

You can still want to win. Give yourself a race plan based on your preparation today. If you have practised controlling your opening pace, stick with that plan rather than rushing the first length because a particular swimmer is beside you.

Use feedback to choose one skill to work on in training. Give the correction time to become familiar and practise using it at race pace. Notice whether you can repeat it more consistently, even when someone else finishes ahead.

After the race, look at how you swam as well as where you finished. You can be disappointed about losing and still recognise something you did well.

Keep space for the parts of swimming you enjoy too, including teammates, relays and the satisfaction of mastering a skill.

If worry is making you dread meets or stop enjoying swimming, tell a parent or carer what is bothering you.

Try this: Before your next race, choose one familiar part of your race plan to focus on when thoughts about another swimmer take over.

Created by Basingstoke Bluefins Coaching Team