Getting Past Nerves On The Track

Gerber769
Edited Date/Time 4/29/2016 8:54pm
I have been having an issue since the race season started. I find myself putting down some really fast laps and by the end of the day having really good corner speed in Practice. In the morning I get ready and the practice for my class runs and I go out and run the corners just as fast as the night before and get acquainted again with the jumps , but then the first moto rolls around and I'm on the gate , confident as ever and I ussually get a great holeshot (my strong suit) but I can't keep speed throughout the race, especially corner speed. Even if it's just on the track racing my friends I can't go as fast for some reason. Is there any way anyone knows of to get past the nerves of the race? I would greatly appreciate it and so would my results.
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Tpog496
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Tpog496 4/26/2016 11:08am
4/26/2016 11:08am
I think I heard Hillbilly say one time he kills the nerves with a fifth of jack.
1
huck
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huck 4/26/2016 11:09am
4/26/2016 11:09am
Gerber769 wrote:
I have been having an issue since the race season started. I find myself putting down some really fast laps and by the end of the...
I have been having an issue since the race season started. I find myself putting down some really fast laps and by the end of the day having really good corner speed in Practice. In the morning I get ready and the practice for my class runs and I go out and run the corners just as fast as the night before and get acquainted again with the jumps , but then the first moto rolls around and I'm on the gate , confident as ever and I ussually get a great holeshot (my strong suit) but I can't keep speed throughout the race, especially corner speed. Even if it's just on the track racing my friends I can't go as fast for some reason. Is there any way anyone knows of to get past the nerves of the race? I would greatly appreciate it and so would my results.
What class do you run? Because I'd say that nobody there gives a shit what you look like, how fast you are, or how anything about you. Once you get over that, you just need to relax. I doubt you're doing this for a living, so there's no need to get worked up. Also, when you practice, go more laps than you will in a race. Don't just go out and ride 2-3 laps, and pull off....then in a race, for some reason you'll start slowing down at 2-3 laps.
Insider347
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Insider347 4/26/2016 11:11am
4/26/2016 11:11am
When I was nervous on the line I would always have a great race. No nerves and something is off. Weird, I know.
flymoto
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flymoto 4/26/2016 11:39am
4/26/2016 11:39am
I kinda have a similar problem. I don't get nervous, but when I'm in a decent position I ride like a idiot, not so aggressive, not wanting to make a mistake, and usually end up going backwards.

Last race I got took down, and ended up picking off about 3/4 of the field in no time riding super aggressive as I had nothing to loose. I swear if I could ride like that upfront I'd have a few more race wins by now.

The Shop

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Rdubs19
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Rdubs19 4/26/2016 11:50am
4/26/2016 11:50am
I don't really believe in psychology or any other witchcraft, but I can tell you to just get as much seat time as you possibly can. Ride, ride, ride, ride anytime you can. Offroad, MX, trails, golf course at night, whatever you can manage. That's really the only way to kill the nerves man.
Tpog496
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Tpog496 4/26/2016 11:51am
4/26/2016 11:51am Edited Date/Time 4/26/2016 11:52am
Rdubs19 wrote:
I don't really believe in psychology or any other witchcraft, but I can tell you to just get as much seat time as you possibly can...
I don't really believe in psychology or any other witchcraft, but I can tell you to just get as much seat time as you possibly can. Ride, ride, ride, ride anytime you can. Offroad, MX, trails, golf course at night, whatever you can manage. That's really the only way to kill the nerves man.
Psychology or any other witchcraft haha
MR. X
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MR. X 4/26/2016 11:54am
4/26/2016 11:54am
The nervous part for me was right up until the gate dropped ,then it was all fun.
EddieC
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EddieC 4/26/2016 12:52pm
4/26/2016 12:52pm
Train the way you Race and you will Race the way you Train.

Think about that for a moment.







You need to set aside a couple days of riding and do motos and 3-5 laps sprints (different day of course) and race with at least two other riders of equal ability. PUSH each other to the limits, its only in these types of training sessions that you will learn to truly race and be comfortable. You should continue with your technical and tactical training but its important to also practice racing.
Cygnus
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Cygnus 4/26/2016 12:58pm
4/26/2016 12:58pm
When I wasn't getting nervous on the Line in the proclasses I quit. Many old man told me that is not good.
TheGetFresh 4/26/2016 1:02pm
4/26/2016 1:02pm
Are you burning yourself out on saturday? Often times if you get carried away with Saturday practice and put down heaters all day you'll spend all your energy and be blown on Sunday. The nerves will hide most of the physical symptoms of fatigue but you'll still be tired enough to have short breaks in mental focus.
FIREfish148
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FIREfish148 4/26/2016 1:35pm
4/26/2016 1:35pm
Ride, ride some more, and then ride some more.

If you know someone that is faster, ride with them.
mmain62
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mmain62 4/26/2016 1:51pm
4/26/2016 1:51pm
I use to throw up on the gate every time and sometimes before the race. James Stewart said if he doesn't have butterflies it means he doesn't care. I believe there is some truth to that. I honestly get more nervous thinking about racing than I do actually racing ha its a mental game. I'm doing it for fun and have a family to support so I could care less whether I win anymore, but you may in a different spot than me. Good Luck
kkawboy14
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kkawboy14 4/26/2016 2:08pm
4/26/2016 2:08pm
Keep your mouth closed and breath thru your nose
ledger
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ledger 4/26/2016 2:26pm
4/26/2016 2:26pm
A blue Valium. Whistling
JerseyFresh
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JerseyFresh 4/26/2016 2:43pm
4/26/2016 2:43pm
Race more.
rosebud441
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rosebud441 4/26/2016 3:42pm
4/26/2016 3:42pm
I used to get stupid nervous, my mouth would get dry and my tongue would stick to the top of my mouth and could barely breathe.. Yeah that does not work..

Then i started chewing gum when i ride, the kind that doesn't disintegrate.. try that It helps, AND like previously said put in long practice motos, you will get comfortable and be able to ride till you run out of gas.. Then when you race try to relax the arms be loose and pretend its just practice..
toomey706
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toomey706 4/29/2016 8:26pm
4/29/2016 8:26pm
It depends on where you put your attention? Are you worried about getting hurt or are you going on the track to reach your ability, find flow and win races?

The only difference between nervousness and excitement is what you call it, its the same feeling in the body, but if you're hesitating you feel nervous and if you're engaged and attacking you're excited. Excitement is a matter of managing attention.

Have a goal and work "in the moment" with intention. Focus on performance, don't worry about results. That means putting your attention on breathing, cornering and all the other stuff that brings results. You get to choose your emotions but you have to manage what's going on.

Know what you're doing on the track and why you're there. Accept all the challenges that show up, don't resist them.

Look, we're all going to die at some point, but it's probably not going to be today, so why the hell allow the fear of anything rob your life of its potential? Realize how cool the opportunity to live life is, but it's just an opportunity, we have to grab ahold of it. Enjoy the hell out of this sport, its good shit! Life is cool as hell, live, don't just be alive.

Watch this before the race, tell me you dont have your shit together.

https://youtu.be/9z4Kft47kBM
Track and Trail 4/29/2016 8:48pm
4/29/2016 8:48pm
This one is easy. What you need is a forced buildup of aggression to unleash at your own discretion. Don't throw the wife/gf/rosie palmer any action the night before. Maybe extend (no pun intended) the period of refrain if needed. Worked for MC Wink

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Track and Trail 4/29/2016 8:51pm
4/29/2016 8:51pm
And this. Forever this. Good post toomey.

"Look, we're all going to die at some point, but it's probably not going to be today, so why the hell allow the fear of anything rob your life of its potential? Realize how cool the opportunity to live life is, but it's just an opportunity, we have to grab ahold of it. Enjoy the hell out of this sport, its good shit! Life is cool as hell, live, don't just be alive."
Pete The Fisherman 4/29/2016 8:54pm
4/29/2016 8:54pm
Back in the day most pro riders smoked cigarettes on the gate and they looked pretty calm to me.

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