Better proformance when the pressures on?

sammac112 · Post by **sammac112** » March 22nd, 2007, 11:15 pm

Does anyone feel they are able to proform a piece (mainly 2000m) better when it counts, especially when trying out for a team, or at a competation?

I always get that extra surge of energy when racing next to a competator for a spot on a team.

Is there a reasonable explanation for this, or has anyone else had such an experiance?

PaulS · Post by **PaulS** » March 23rd, 2007, 9:13 am

Opinions can do nothing but go all over the place on this one.

If you want to get the best performance that you can out of yourself, prepare for it, set up an aggressive but realistic plan and then follow that plan.

To the degree that the "pressure" distracts or focuses you on your plan will have much bearing on which direction it effects your performance. A CRASH-B Champion recently set a new PB in a "Boathouse" test, where the only source of pressure was inside his own head, but he did have a plan to follwo and followed it, to the tune of a 3 second improvement, finishing scary close to his countries Record.

corpsrower · Post by **corpsrower** » March 23rd, 2007, 10:20 am

I'm a pretty competitive person in general so when I run a piece on the road and I'm near someone else or behind them, I will go the extra distance to either follow at the same pace or go faster. My main problem is that I take my glasses off my head when I row so I can't look and compare myself. Woops

EDIT: I was falling asleep in class when I wrote this...woops again

jamesg · Post by **jamesg** » March 28th, 2007, 7:49 am

Well if you think of the last 100k years or so of evolution, it's hardly surprising that those left over have such instincts. extra surge of energy indeed, that's what kept the lucky ones alive. The others got eaten by sabre toothed tigers or their friends, or by pesky neighbours. Adrenalin could be the vehicle. We are the result.

Kangaroo · Post by **Kangaroo** » April 5th, 2007, 10:20 am

Yes - if I'm doing a trial, say on my own I won't perform, I might not even finish it but when I'm doing a trial with other people then it gives you a reason to carry on.