By Rachel Roth

Nerves of Steel…Maybe?

So who doesn’t get nervous before a competition, whether big or small? Well, maybe you don’t, but I do, all the time, even when it’s just a friendly local one.

I’ll be competing at a small local competition this Saturday. I haven’t done an individual competition in a while and wanted to do one to get back in to it. But, even though it’s a small one, I am still getting nervous already (especially since I haven’t competed in a while). However, nerves aren’t necessarily a bad thing; they are normal and happen to everyone. But, there are a few things I do to make sure my nerves don’t get the best of me, especially on competition day.

Leading up to Competition day:

-I train up until two days before, and I use movements I may see, or know I will see, in competition

-I try to focus my mind on my training, and my recovery, rather than only thinking about the upcoming competition day, which only increases my anxiety

-I remind myself that this is what all the training is for, and although I am feeling nervous, I am prepared

On Competition Day:

-I wake up a bit early and make sure I eat a good breakfast. One of the rules my coach in college had for race days was be awake at least three hours before race time (our races were usually early in the morning). I always liked that rule and felt like I was more awake and prepared when I gave my body a chance to wake up,  so I still use that rule for crossfit. And a good breakfast will ensure I have energy for that first workout.

-Most importantly, I focus on myself, and my strategy for the day. If I walk in and start focusing on my competition, then all that happens is my anxiety levels increase and I lose focus on what I know I have to do. So I try to keep my focus on my own goals for the day, and I go in to that first wod focusing on doing the best I can, regardless of where that places me within the rankings. But I know I have a better chance at doing well if I am focused on myself, rather than everything else around me.

Competitions are fun, and nerves are a part of the game, but they don’t have to get the best of us. These few things work for me, but every person is different, so find what works best for you, so you can be at the top of your game, always.