You have committed to early mornings. You’ve dedicated yourself to the early mornings. You’ve missed social gatherings and pushed your body harder than ever. It’s only a few short days until your first swim race. We can help you with the kit and last-minute preparation. Here are some top tips to get you ready for your big day.
GET ORGANISED
We don’t mean just your gear. You can prepare your entire day’s meals, including breakfast. This will save you time in the morning. Confirm your travel plans, ensure you have all your tickets and identification, decide what snacks you need during the day, and choose your bag, bottles of water, dry clothes, team kit, dry towel headphones, etc. It would help if you did all this in advance to ensure you are focused on your race.
Warm-up time
We don’t mean just in the hours before your race. Let your body know that it’s race time long before the race. Training can slow down before your race. Your body will also slow down. Allow your body to adjust by getting a good night’s rest before the race. If you are on a strict diet, don’t change it now. You don’t want your stomach distracting you. Stretch before you enter the water. Drink lots of water.
TIDY MIND, TIDY RACE
Before your race, you will know what you will do, the type of conversation you would like to have, and the people you would want to surround yourself with; get yourself in your zone. This bubble is where you can forget about everything else. Money, exams, friends, boyfriends/girlfriends, what you’re having for lunch after the race, or that party you’re heading to tomorrow. Keep it out of the zone. Plug in your headphones and get ready to run.
Find Your Place
Arrive early. Swimming can be hectic. Avoid rushing, stressing out, and wasting energy. You should know your race, heat number, time, and block position. Refrain from relying on others to give you this information. You must know it yourself.
KNOW WHAT YOUR END GOAL IS
Race hard. with 100% effort. Maximum input. Visualize the race. Go for it! You are prepared, organized, and in your zone. Focus on the race and your strategy. Stay focused on all possible outcomes when racing is essential. Concentrate on your task – now it’s race time! Go for what you want.
DESCRIBE AND APPLAUSE YOURSELF
You did it! It was your first race, regardless of the outcome. You should be proud of your achievements. This could be the start of many new opportunities and boost your confidence. Talk to your coach as soon as possible about your race results. This will help you remember the race and get feedback for future races. Shower, get warm, put on your kit, and find your teammates. You’re all a team, so you should support each other.
You can prepare for your first race by following these six simple steps. But remember, it’s supposed to be fun. Race hard, swim quickly, smile, and have fun. Good luck!
