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.

Afterwards, separate how you carried out your race plan from your time and placing. You might judge your pace better or improve a turn without swimming a personal best or beating your rival. Those improvements still count. Being disappointed with the result does not mean every part of the swim went badly.

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

If racing worries are taking away your enjoyment, tell a parent or carer and a coach you feel comfortable talking to. Explain what is worrying you so they can help, rather than leaving you to manage it alone.

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