Raceday anxiety how to get over this?

The more you race, the less this will happen. If your worried about one thing (like the swim for a lot), work on that.

Or, have a few drinks

Agree with above but you'll always get anxiety for big races.

It does go away a bit. When I first started racing 5ks I would get that but after doing tris I'll sleep like a baby the night before a 5k.

One thing would be to have everything together and in your car the night before. I make a list so I'm organized and not forgetting anything.

Otherwise, get extra sleep the week leading up to the race. I take Tylenol PM the night before but I have done this before and I know I'll be good in the morning.

I do visualization. I swim, bike and run my way through each part as I'm training during my taper to gauge how things will be. Obviously the distance will be much shorter but I try to wrap my brain around how it'll feel.

Regarding things I can't control like traffic and diarhea and cramps...that's all in how you take it. Obviously that's not something you want to deal with but if it happens then you adjust. You can't stress about it. I know it's easier said than done.

Other than that...it's not a normal day and your body knows it. There really isn't anything to do but try to control the jitters and funnel it into your racing. Enjoy it! Have fun!

I think the key to anxiety is managing your expectations.  Everyday in training you run or swim or bike but do you get all freaked out about that?  No, because you just take it as it comes and if the workout doesn't go how you plan it's no big deal.  There is always the next day.

I thought a lot about this last week because I normally do a lot of running races and am to the point where I have no stress or anxiety before a race especially early in the season because my expectations are to just participate, have fun, and treat it like a hard, supported training run.  Last Friday night though, I started freaking out a bit over a local 5k fun run the next morning.  There was absolutely no reason to be keyed up at all but I realized that I had a shot at a PR so immediately my expectations went through the roof and I started worrying about everything.  It helped me to downplay the urgency of PR'ing as I have another 5k in two weeks and I could afford to relax a bit knowing this wasn't all or nothing.  No matter what there would be another day.

I think this is very true.  For me, I actually race very little compared to how much I train.  As a result, every race I do, I'm trying to go as quick as I can and therefore I still feel anxiety, regardless of whether it's a 5K or full IM.  I've come to think of this as normal and healthy, as long as it's not debilitating.  The nerves always seem to go away shortly after the start.

what works for me is to answer a simple question "why exactly am I worried ?"

when you analyze why, it seems pretty unnecessary to be worried.

recall...you do this for fun!

I try to sleep well the nights leading up to the race knowing the night before I may not sleep well. So Wed and Thursday I go to bed early.

I used to not sleep much night before big races. Before my first IM I was awake on and off the whole night willing myself to sleep unsuccessfully.  Once race starts the fatigue and lack of sleep the night before goes away.

Over the years my ability to sleep the night before a big race has improved.

Disagree with "the more you race, the less this will happen". I have been competing in endurance sports at some level since the age of ten (er, 33 years ago), and every time it's just like my first race!  To top it off I have a very strong physical anxiety response that often escalates to nausea, shakiness, etc. Yuck! I have over the years managed to train myself to get some sleep before the races--having a glass of wine with dinner, plus a boring book after, helps. Wouldn't dare do anything stronger for fear I wouldn't wake up on time. (That's what the pre-race nightmares are about.)

What works for me is having a pretty set pre-race routine. I have a checklist of stuff to bring for a run, tri, or aquathlon, and even a checklist of what to do in the few days leading up to race day. They're from one of the Joe Friel books. BT also has one that you can customize. (I'm kind of a space cadet, and worry that I've forgotten something important. Thus the checklists. I do get a lot of flack from my buddies about them, though!) I take the same things for pre-race breakfast (tested in training and previous races) that I can prepare at the hotel. For my Singapore races, I actually stay at the same three hotels (depending on race location) so there are no surprises with logistics. I've met other out-of-town athletes who do this--we show up at the same place every year! Finally, it really helps for me that the swim is the first event in tri. Swimming's always been a source of relaxation, and once I get in the water for the swim warmup, I'm fine.

Yes, it's stressful but also addicting.....hard to explain but it makes me feel alive, like I'm still ten!

Ok lets put things in perspective...........this is a hobby you do for fun.  You probably are not going to win the race and this is not how you make your living.  Take a deep breath and enjoy the experience.  There are lots more things in life to get worked up over.  You don't have cancer, are not facing major surgery no one is dying.  Its OK to be nervous but don't let it take over the fun of racing.  Control the things you can control and let the other stuff go.  IE: You can't control the weather but you CAN be prepared for it.  You can't control the traffic so let it go and be mentally prepared.  Planning is a big part of triathlons.