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Race Prep Lesson #2 - Finding Your Routine
Watch Heather's video here:
Read the lesson summary below!
Tip # 1 - Make a pre-race routine
Heather (and many other Olympians) created a personal routine and would keep her routine the exact same every time she raced.
Heather's Example Routine
Here are the different pieces of Heather's personal pre-race routine. She would try and do as many of these things as she could before every race!
This process helped Heather to focus on something other than being nervous. She could take the lead up to her race step by step without overwhelming herself with the race.
Tip #2 - Allow yourself to be flexible
You may need to alter your routine sometimes, so its' sometimes best to not be too superstitious!
Find a routine that works for you personally. It is different for each person!
Heather learned over the course of her career that she raced better when she didn't put too much pressure on her routine, or on herself.
Heather
The pressure I put on myself to perform often negatively affected my performance”
Tip #3 - You want some stress and nerves! It means you care!
Just like Heather did; find tools that will help you calm down when you’re feeling too nervous and remember that it takes practice!
Try these different ideas and tools out at swim meets when you don’t feel too nervous, so that when you do - you’re prepared to use them!
To remove any self doubt or negative thoughts of “I can’t”, Heather would lean on her support systems like her friends, family and coaches