Sometimes you can want something so much, you chase it away. This is very common in swimming, where quite often, the best swimmer often doesn't win the race.

This is often due to the swimmer being too emotionally attached to the outcome - which means that instead of swimming with an aggressive, positive outlook, the swimmer competes with more of a defensive mindset, similar to that fatal attitude some swimmers develop when they begin protecting a lead in a race, instead of moving further ahead.

Basically, the best outlook is anticipation and excitement (which allows you to attack the race), and the one to avoid is fear (which causes defense). For example, when you are filled with anticipation, it means you are competing with an outlook that says "I can't wait to get out there and show them what I can do!" - whilst fear makes you think "what if I don't win, or swim a PB - what will my coach/friends/family think?"

Anticipation or fear - that's the choice you have before every race, and this choice also chooses your results. Fear contracts the muscles and prevents the blood circulating efficiently Fear prevents you thinking clearly before & during a race, causes poor tactical decisions, prevents quick recovery, and contracts the muscles causing poor blood circulation and bodily restriction.

There are several ways to tackle fear. One way is to emotionally pull back from the race. Being 'too emotionally attached' basically means that you are simply thinking about the race too much when you are not at the pool.

Instead, whenever you are away from the pool, focus a little more on some other aspects of your life (such as school, work, friends, family etc), and know that this meet is simply a part of your life, not all of it. This helps to put the meet into its true perspective, and shows that the race really isn't 'life or death'! This takes some pressure off you mentally, and allows you to swim more relaxed and aggressively in the meet - and this brings medals and PB's.

Swimming in a state of emotional frenzy is NOT the way to win. You need to be motivated, but not over-motivated (or under-motivated, for that matter) - and both are brought on by fear. So if you feel fear about a race, you need to work on this issue before the race arrives.

Bending your reality a little can also take some pressure off - such as mentally pretending (depending upon which approach takes the most pressure off you) that you are either the favorite to win, or the underdog. By instructing your subconscious mind that your 'role' has suddenly changed, it can release the current stress from your system and allow you to relax mentally and physically.

Focusing upon the fun aspects of a meet can also help, rather than worrying about all the things which can go wrong. For instance, focus upon the positives such as the friends you will see, the laughs you will have between races, and the very reason why you swim in the first place - because you enjoy it! Make your meets a fun and enjoyable occasion rather than an ordeal - because humans generally succeed at things they enjoy, and fail at things they dislike, it's the very nature of success.

Turn fear into anticipation, the scary ordeals into 'fun challenges to be conquered', bend your reality to better suit yourself, and put the meet into its true perspective - and your results will steadily begin to show the difference. You have the power - go for it. 

The Mind controls the body, and the mind is unlimited.
The best of success, Craig Townsend

More Mind Training Tips for Swimmers

Motivation & Sport Psychology for Swimmers

Interested in getting more from About Swimming? You can check the latest news headlines in Swimming News, voice your opinion on the About Swimming Forum, cast your vote on the Swimming Poll, start or take part in an on-going About Swimming chat, and receive regular updates from this site by signing up for the About Swimming newsletter. 

Take the latest swimming poll