I get nervous to the point that my guts have spasms!?

Question

Here we go again: In 3 1/2 weeks (24 days) i'm joining the Marines.

This morning i woke up, smoked a cigarette and immediately did 40 pushups. The hard thing is the running part.

The thing is, whenever i go off to the track to run, i feel so nervous that i might fail the mile time and i start thinking that something i ate before might slow me down or the cigarette in the morning will force me to stop. Everytime i countdown i feel a bit weird in the guts similar to getting kissed the first time lol.

How can i set my mind to it and forget about this stuff? I want to be pumped up and unstoppable. I know that i can do sub-7, i did it before, but now i aim for 6:30 and i hesitate to start running because i might start off wrong, lose energy to restart and finally ending late..

Any ways to prevent this? Please help if i don't pass in the Marines i will be officially and utterly worthless..

Answer 1

well... smoking before doesn't help. first, focus on crossing the finish line. that's what my track coach tells us. focus on running a good race, and doing your best. btw, what does your mile time have to be?

Answer 2

You mention smoking twice.

Do you know why you mentioned smoking twice?

You are pretty much begging for help.

Make a list today of all of the advantages of quitting smoking now (all those things you gain and couldn't do otherwise). Then make a list of all the advantages of continuing to smoke (all those things you gain and couldn't do otherwise). Get the picture?

THERE ARE NO ADVANTAGES TO SMOKING.

So here is the deal. Pick cigarettes or the Marine Corps. Choose between lung cancer or a 6:30 mile. Decide if you want to be a slave to nicotine or a disciplined, healthy human being.

The butterflies you are feeling are going to be there after you have quit smoking. They are going to be there whenever you face the unknown with fear. Where does fear come from? Fear comes from being unprepared.  

Basically you have three choices every time you line up for a race.

1. Run and meet your expectations.

2. Run and not meet your expectations.

3. Run and quit.

Number one and number two are excellent outcomes. Number three is disastrous. Just avoid quitting and you will continue to grow and improve.

The Marine Corps is going to be wonderful for you. You are going to learn that you can face your fear --and walk right through it. Take the first step and put smoking behind you. Do it now.

Answer 3

Quit the smoking then you'll do just fine.