Nervous about upcoming race season?

For fear of sounding like a lunatic, I won't even go into detail about the nervousness I experience and the pressure I put on myself. But, trust me, you are not alone!

Of course.  I'm terrified that I signed up for my first HIM this year, and at this point I don't even feel ready for the sprint I have in April, much less the Oly in May.  A HIM seems like it's going to be impossible.

But I always feel like this in the pre-season training time.  I think that's the number one motivator to get me off the couch and in the pool/on the bike/out the door for a run.

I think Autumn's advice to set three tiers of goals (a worst-case goal that will be relatively easy to meet, a public goal that you share with friends and family, and a double-secret personal goal that only you hold for yourself) helps.  That way, you can save face no matter how you do.

Plus, keep in mind that it's a HOBBY and should be mostly fun.  If you're stressed out, maybe you should revisit WHY you're doing this sport and make sure you're keeping things in perspective.  Your personal value as a human isn't dependent on meeting specific goals.  As long as you give it your all, then the rest shouldn't really matter, right?

I'm thinking of the races where I came in DFL, and was probably the happiest person on the course.  Because, relatively speaking, I was the winner.  I probably pushed myself harder than many other folks out there, and for me DFL was still a PR. 

I absolutely get nervous.  Not right now, though.  But on race day of my first HIM, I guarantee I'll be pretty jittery.  I expect the absolute most from myself, and don't set worst-case goals.  I've never aimed for the worst case, probably never will.  Instead, I set realistically challenging goals, and then simply work hard enough to acheive them.  Besides, you can never fail if you never stop trying.

~B

Sounds like we should start some kind of "HIM First Timers Support Group."  I'm right there w/ ya on being nervous.  If you stick to your training plan though, there's nothing to be nervous about.  I've got my first HIM in May and I've been missing way too many workouts, so I guess it's my own fault for giving myself a reason to be nervous.

It's all about having fun though and that's my #1 goal.  I think I can hit that one

That's so not true .

Actually, I feel really relaxed about this season.  I think it's because I've worked real hard in the off season to prepare so I feel confident.  I'm sure the nerves will hit each race morning as they typically do, but it's more of an excited nervous energy rather than a nervous fear.

When in doubt, have fun!

Very nervous for a few reasons.

1) I know what it feels like to race now and the pain associated with pushing yourself.  Not looking forward to the pain  

2) I exceeded my expectations in my first season and I'm no longer a rookie.  So I've got new higher expectations and I'm nervous about living up to them.

3) I signed up for an Ironman.  I don't think that needs explanation  

I'm totally nervous. So nervous (read as upitght, scared, etc.) that I haven't signed up for a single race yet - one of my early season races sold out already! SO, despite the fact that everyone who asks knows I am moving to primarily Oly's this year? I haven't mustered the strength to sign up for a single one - not a single sprint distance either.

Dude!  What's up with that? 

Tell me about it. Napa is sold out, I can't do Icebreaker (family commitment). Although, after posting, I signed up for the Moraga Sprint and TBF's TFR#1.....so, there.

That's two sprints... I thought you were doing "primiarly Olys" this year.   

Oops. That should read Tri For REAL!!! I can NOT type (nor think) today - Friday vapor lock. 

WOW!! That WaterDogg guy is like the Dali Lama of sports psychology

Very well said.