[NSRCA-discussion] Competition Nerves

[Anthony Abdullah]

I am trying to get myself ready for the upcoming pattern season and have been evaluating my past performances. I made a list of the reasons I don't do as well as I would like and learned some interesting things about myself.
   
  Other than practice which was one through five on the list, I found that my performance is sometimes hindered by nervousness. Sometimes I get so wound up and the adrenaline gets pumping so much that my thumbs are a blur and I go into brain fail safe. For example; one year at a the district championship contest I was in a dogfight for the contest victory. I was flying well and had won three out of five rounds. On flight six everything was going great and I had made it through the toughest part of the pattern. It should have been smooth sailing to a victory. Unfortunately I finished a set of three maneuvers then dropped the gear and called landing. My caller asked me if everything was alright and I assured her (my wife) that all was well and it was time to come on home. On base to final she calmly reminded me that I had three more maneuvers to do before I could call it a day DOH!!! Can you say 0, 0, 0? I was so nervous that I managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of
 victory. Fortunately it did not cost me the district championship.
   
  The point is, I have noticed that I am calm and focused during practice, and extremely focused during a competition, but not calm. Other than practice is there something that I can do to help calm my nerves? I am practicing Yoga with the wife and am open to meditation, etc to help keep the mind calm but focused. Is it just me or do some of you more experienced pilots experience ventricular hyperactivity as well? I would be interested in hearing if that is normal.
   
  Signed
  Spongebob Blurry Hands AKA The Galloping Ghost
   
   
  
 
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