[NSRCA-discussion] Competition Nerves

[Ed Miller]

Anthony;
In 2003 I moved from Advanced to Masters and flew 2 contests in Masters. 
Then in '04 and '05 due to a move from NY to TN I flew only 40 flights total 
in 2 years.  So of course in '06 I decided to fly at the Nats in Masters 
since I was so well prepared.  Although I had always had a bit of the 
"shakes", especially the first flight of a contest, it was really bad in '06 
both while practicing and at the Nats.  While practicing Sunday at site 1 in 
Muncie Danny Landis was calling for me and asked if I was OK, I was shaking 
so hard.  What has worked for me is eliminating caffeine altogether, a side 
benefit is I seem to sleep better.  Also getting into the mindset that "it's 
just another day at the field" has helped a lot.  By the Gay Ga. contest in 
October '06 my shakes had subsided and my scores moved up a bit. The 
pressure of competition is felt by all, the trick is to do things to 
minimize it.  Dean Pappas also recommended and I agree is to eat normally at 
a contest, don't try and fly hungry or on a stomach full of Little Debbie 
goodies or doughnuts.
Ed M.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Anthony Abdullah" <aabdu at sbcglobal.net>
To: "NSRCA Mailing List" <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:16 PM
Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] Competition Nerves


>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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