pre-race nerves!!

[Frakke]

Are you guys also having nerves bevore a race? I am! On the outside I look calm and normal but inside my hart is pounding. Physically I think I have already done a race before the gate drops! If you also have this, do you know a good remedy for it ! I've tryed to take 'HOMEOTRACK' it's a homeopathic product and it seems to work a little bit but it's kind of expensive. Maybe somebody out there knows a better way, just let me know or share your feelings, thx anyway!!

[VET393]

I think it is an adrenelin rush that makes my heart pump faster at the gate. Kinda like stage fright, once I get going it leaves me.

[Frakke]

That's true Vet, but my heart rate is already too high!!

[valverde]

I am not a big racer, as a matter of fact the only time I have raced in the last year was at the GMB and Chillin Hillin benefits. I can tell you its bad sitting at the gate but it gets worse the first lap, I am hyper ventilating, but once I realize I am in last place I dont care much anymore and can relax. I thought I would have a gallon of gatorade after the last race I was so dry mouth from breathing heavy. As we say around here, "spittin cotton"! I would assume if I raced more I would handle it better, but its funny being almost 40 and still getting that worked up over something!

[VET393]

valverde, it works me up too, but that is part of the thrill for me.
I'll be 48 next month

[Frakke]

seems it comes with the job!! probably the guy next to you on the bar has the same problem!!

[Dirtbikindad393]

Ok I was doing ok until I saw this lol. I had been trying not to think about it cause its my first race I was trying to stay calm. Now I am nervous for tomorrow. I don't have to sit at the gate cause its a desert race but I do have to start my bike to take off and I am nervous about it not starting first kick and me being last to leave the line.
The good thing is I have 33 miles to ride fast to make up for it (if it even happens).

[VET393]

DBD, just have as much fun as you can with it. Thats what counts

[cadman]

It goes with the competition, whether motorcycles, sports, or anthing else. It also occurs at all levels from beginner to pro. It is not unheard of for professional athletes or famous live performers to throw up before going on. The only suggestion that helps me came from my son from his martial arts training. That is to just concentrate on your breathing while you're waiting. It doesn't make the nervousness go away, but it helps

The suggestion to accept it as part of the event and try to enjoy is good, but I've never been able to make it work for me.

[Keetoman393]

What causes this is the adrenaline pumping through the body. That causes you to become more into the "fight or flight" mode. Your pulse rate increases, your body heat increases and your mind is sharper than when you are at rest. This is natural and it simply puts your body into a state or readiness. If you were to hinder this, it would make you sluggish off the start and your reaction time would be greatly reduced. It's ok to be pumped up!

[Frakke]

Thx, Keeto. So I'm sure that I'll be ready for my next race. Good luck DBD!! Let us know the outcome!! Don't be afraid, I'm sure it will start and you can leave a whole bunch of guys eating your roost!!!

[DCox]

I have been a college professor for the last seven years and I find myself still nervous when teaching a new group of people. One thing I do notice (at least for myself) is that as the years pass, while I still have that "fight or flight" response at the start of a new class, my perception of this nervousness has changed in a positive way due to an increase in confidence in my experience, preparation, and expectations for the class.

I have a limited amount of MX racing as well as experience in trials events. MX seems to be far more nerve stimulating because you have an immediate recognition of your competitors all lined up beside you, and you are all going to start the event out by drag-racing to the first corner. You don't know the outcome or how well others are riding, but you will soon find out.: In trials, you are more or less competing against yourself, and then at the end of the day you find out the results compared against others. This takes the edge off the nerves issue.

Probably the most nerve-wracking thing for me was wrestling on the high school team. Just you against another person. Someone is going to get pinned or lose, and your solo performance is going to affect the team as a whole. Talk about pressure . . . it was not uncommon for wrestlers to frequently throw up before meets.

Now at 38 yrs. old, I personally prefer the "trials rush" over the MX competition rush, although mx tracks are a blast to still ride.

[char393]

Nice Post DCox!

You too King Keeto.

I was never able to calm myself before a race and it usually took a good 10 miles or so for that to happen. I don't know what you can do to help with it. On the other hand, like Keeto says, it's your body's natural reaction to the adrenaline rush. Without it, your reflexes and your senses wouldn't be near as sharp.

Oh and DBD....it's been a long time since I was in a desert race, but the very last one....my bike wouldn't start and I was dead last off the line....what made it worse was I was the only girl racing....what made it better was when I started passing people by the first checkpoint . Soo...being last off the line isn't always a bad thing...at least you know no one's behind you and you can concentrate and picking people off, one by one.

[splitfirekx125]

i think the best thing for me to do is not to think and when the flag goes sideways scream like heck and theb it goes away

[reddog_051]

i race short track and a few motos and i get nevus before the race to but as the light comes on my mind clears and i dont think about anythingi just ride its kinda wierd and hard to describe

[Woody_393]

Originally posted by reddog_051
i race short track and a few motos and i get nevus before the race to but as the light comes on my mind clears and i dont think about anythingi just ride its kinda wierd and hard to describe

Hey welcome to ATM Reddog_051, it's good to have you here. Especially a flat tracker.

You don't happen to know Tryce from Fast forward racing do you?

[MotoMan]

I get the same thing, I am always nervous when I am sitting on the line waiting for the gate to go, however right after it drops and I am off all nervousness goes out the window and the roosting starts.

[Dell30rb]

I have the same experience as motoman, Right up to the gate dropping i am really nervous and double checking everything etc etc, but as soon as the gate drops and I hit the dirt everything goes away.

[Dirtbikindad393]

Thats also the way it was for me. No gate but when the banner drops and its time to start the bike once I am got going I was fine. When that expert line took off it sent my nerves thru the roof. Its so awesome though the bikes warming revving and then the banner goes up and its dead silence even the pit bikes in the backround stop and shut down. Its so freakin quiet then wham almost 200 bikes starting at once and going thru the gears.

[Woody_393]

My last race of the season, I didn't get real nervous. I had a pre-race check list that I want through. You know like.

Is the gas on - check
Is my helmet on - check
did I do it up - check
where are my gloves - check (they are on)
ok, now put on the goggles - check
30 second board
start the bike - check
30 second board goes side ways
engine idled up, and eye on the gate - check
gate drops - check

Okay idiot gas it for crying out loud.

I just got nervous just typing that. LOL. So you know I'm full of it.