Autumn/Winter 2008
July 2008
Think your way to great performance
As athletes at the 2008 Olympic Games approach the blocks, they’ll have put in years of hard training perfecting the performances that makes them winners. We all know they’ve achieved physical perfection. What’s not so obvious is just how focused and finely tuned their minds are…
Your passion for swimming drives you to work hard to physically prepare for races and events. But have you ever thought about your thinking? The truth is that your mind (not just your body) can set your performance apart. And focusing its power and energy before training and races really is a no-brainer.
The warm-up and workout for your mind
The good news is that great mental preparation skills aren’t something athletes are born with – they’re techniques that they learn and hone along with stroke rates, drills and streamlining. Everyone’s different and it’s important to remember that mental preparation is all about you (and not the swimmer in lane 5 that you’re secretly worried is stronger).
So the next time you prepare for a race or event, try stretching your mind as well as your body. It’s all about developing your own routine that puts you in the perfect mindset. Like anything new, it can feel a bit odd at first. But the harder you work on your thoughts and feelings, the better your performance will be.
Get in the zone
- How do you want to feel as the gun goes off? Confident, relaxed, a little bit scared? Try your feelings out before training – it will help you work out what’s the right state of mind for you.
Think your way to the right feeling
- Once you’ve worked out how you want to feel, you need to trigger those feelings. So if you race best when you’re nervous, you might want to eye up the competition. Or if feeling relaxed works for you, deep breathing exercises or listening to your favourite tracks could be the answer.
Putting it all together
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to mental preparation. But we’ve put together some handy hints and tips to help you get the most from training your mind:
- Believe in yourself. Self-confidence can literally leave you riding high. Think about what you’ve achieved in the past – and how you’re going to swim even better in the future. Imagining and visualising a brilliant performance can make it real.
- Focus your energy. Listen to music that puts you in the right state of mind or repeat words and images in your head that help you feel positive.
- Remember that your mental routine makes a great security blanket. It’s something to turn to when nerves kick in. Use it all the time and it will stand you in good stead.
- Focus on your goals and be kind to yourself. Try talking to yourself (no – it’s not the first sign of madness!) and be positive and motivating.
- When you’re worked out your routine, write it down. It’s a great way to practise and perfect it.
The big picture
All mental preparation routines need a little tlc!
Think about your mind and body as a whole. What you put in is what you’ll get out, so make sure your diet is really feeding your performance. We all know it’s not rocket science, but it’s easy to forget about the fuel you’ll be running on in the lead-up to a big race or event. Make sure you get your five a day and tuck into a low-fat meal that’s high in carbs with some protein three to four hours before you approach the block. Drink plenty of water to keep you properly hydrated and you’ll be ready to get set and go.
Make sure your kit is boosting your confidence. The right suit, hat and goggles will help you feel comfortable and ready for anything. And make the most of your physical training by keeping track of your progress – Swim Log computer software is a really handy way to do this. Use it to log your personal bests, history and training sessions and set targets for the future. Being prepared isn’t just for scouts!
Share your secrets
At Mailsports we love to hear from all you lovely swimmers out there. Tell us what works for you - your hints and tips, rituals and lucky charms for great mental preparation. Go on, we double dare you. Email us on: