need advice on worries. please help?

Question

a few days ago, my teacher asked me to go to swimming practice after she saw me swim during class( swim practice is afterschool). Throughout the whole day i was worried of what my teacher would think of me since i haven't swum in a long time ( and she only saw me swim a few widths), i was worried whether or not i would be able to swim lengths. After hours of worrying during school, the time finally came to swim. My teacher asked me to warm up first. Instead of going slow and steady, i went as fast as i could to show my teacher how i could swim. All the while she kept on telling me to slow down. Then, she wanted me to do the IM medley (fly,back,breast,free). I thought i would be good at this but, when i dived, my goggles filled up with water and i began to worry (i can never swim without goggles), my eyes started burning, so when i began my second stroke, i just suddenly stopped to fix my goggles( while i was swimming the first length i tried to forget about it and continue..)

so i stopped and fixed them even though it was a race, i continued on.. as soon as i looked ahead of me (in the water) while doing freestyle, i saw the depth of the swimming pool and the remaining length i had to swim. I don't really know what happened to me but, my legs just stopped and then i started kicking veery slowly. i don't know but i think the length just scared me. I'm really worried now, because when i was around 9 (i am 14 now) i used to have alot of stamina in swimming, and i continued to think all these years that i still have it but when this thing happened to me..does it mean that i have lost my stamina or was simply just worried about impressing my teacher? soo many factors are worrying me.. i keep thinking that i will come last because i aint no skinny girl, and the fact that i havent swum in a looong loong time.. please help me. the competition is on th 16th..less than a week away. please tell me what is wrong with me. is it physical or mental? how can i conquer it ?

Answer 1

Well its not purely physical. If you had cramps then you would not be able to swim at all. But it could be the wrong breathing technique, or your muscles were not conditioned. Or the pool temperature was wrong. It could be the wrong technique for swimming.

I feel, the reason you could not swim the medley was because you are completely tired after your warmup, since you did not slow down. You lost your energy by swimming too fast. You have to work on your pre-race technique/procedure too (stretching, warming up, adjusting yr clothes, getting familiar with the pool, etc). Also, when you swim in a race, you have to pace yourself. Do not go all out, like in a sprint, from the start. If you start feeling tired, then slow down a little and pick your pace up as you progress. Practice jogging etc to improve your stamina.

Also, there is a mental aspect to it. You are worried too much about creating an impression or gaining respect or people making fun of you. Its about your relations between you and your teachers, or you and your friends. You have to raise your self esteem and clear the lingering doubts you have in the back of your mind. Hopefully you have the support of your family.

What I would suggest is to try a few competitions and learn along the way. Don't worry about winning everything. Go for the competitions and meet a few experienced swimmers and see how they swim and copy - make friends with them and talk to them about their swimming and ask them how they cope with stress. Meet with your family or teachers and discuss why you have doubts about your teachers - maybe they are too demanding. Well, I would take things slowly. Make mistakes along the way. Ask questions and learn with time. Build your foundation. Don't worry about winning so much, but ask your real doubts and fears - being the last swimmer is not so bad, its your first race. If you just win every race, it means you are in the easy races.
A little worry will be good because it will help you avoid mistakes and avoid becoming complacent, and keep you motivated to win.

Don't worry, you were 9 then, and too young to think clearly in a tight situation. Now you are much older and have more experience and can think and ask and act accordingly.

Answer 2

OK, this is what I recommend,you can trust me I have swam competitively for my whole life and I am nationally ranked!First off tighten your googles,or buy at your local swim store a bungee cord for your googles,they help because it is easier to tighten them,and you are assured that they wont fall off. Next make sure you have the right brand of googles,I prefer the "Speedo Women's Vanquishers" they are popular and they work GREAT!

Another tip is to NOT go fast in warm ups, coaches don't care how hard you go in warm ups and only care about the main sets you do.They only have warm ups so you don't pull mussels and so you are ready to swim,so don't show of because then people will think in your race you'll go faster and you will waste all your energy. Good swimmers go easy or medium pase in warm ups.

Your stamina has probably shortened a little but during your practices make sure that you are used to the pool and you are working hard on all your sets.Remember that think positive will help you than freaking out! When you swim take deep breaths and relax, you'll do better.
Hope I helped.
Good Luck in your meet!

Answer 3

Hi, I am 23 and feature given delivery three occasions in three years. I was once additionally scared, but if I went into labour I was once calm and was once in labour five days and not using a soreness then I had a membrane sweep and labour began, it was once painful, I ended up with fuel and air and pethidine, nevertheless it does not take the soreness away thoroughly. The entire factor best took 6 hours then. But on my 2d I was once in labour for simply over 24 hours and not using a soreness, simply had a bit of of soreness within the final part hour which was once first-rate. Then on my third I was once in labour all day and not using a soreness (began at five.45am) and I went to clinic at 6pm and my waters broke, then soreness kicked in approximately 8pm, nevertheless it did not get extreme til approximately 11pm and at precisely nighttime I gave delivery, I had fuel and air and a small dose of pethidine. Every delivery and labour and lady is exclusive and noone can let you know what it'll be like, however a few (now not all) females exhaggerate the soreness they move by way of throughout childbirth and it makes others suppose scared however believe me, it isn't that unhealthy, that is why I gave delivery three occasions in three years and could do it once more, well good fortune