holding my breath while racing. how to fix it?

[crankpin]

I find pulling over for a fag really helps me.

Also shouting at photographers "don't point that fekking thing at me" also has good effect.

[NR555]

I talk myself around the track as well.  Remind yourself to stay loose on the bike, relax the death grip, keep it smooth, encourage yourself to chase the guy in front etc.  I've had a suprising amount of holeshots after a big 'C'MON' as the 5 second board goes sideways..

I think you'd be surprised how many people talk to themselves under their helmet.

I remember asking a particularly fast junior why he whips his bike sideways at every possible opportunity, he just told me it helps him relax & makes him feel like he's the best rider out there.  Whatever floats your boat man!

The breathing thing comes from nerves too.  Race more.  Just race anything you can enter.  Doesn't matter if you have no chance of winning, it's all about the act of going to the start, the gate dropping and actually racing.  Racing will become more like just riding, and you'll just get into it.  Plus, you'll get fitter doing 7 or so races in one day.. 

[Freakshow]

GReat topic.  great link out to Ali, thats an interesting read too.

[EML]

I tried to give it up -nearly died.

Get yourself onto a sidecar for some practise-it's great for checking out lines and for watching how other guys (both on the outfit you're on and the ones around you) are doing what they do. AND it gives you time to check out what you are up to-do I need to breathe more/less-where and how to have a rest and all sorts of other stuff (how good looking is that pit bunny on the left ) 
Give it a go.

[mick25]

Some good replys on this topic
Looks like I better come out behind the tool box and say i have talked to me self at times under the helmet
when racing..
I Say quotes Like ,get up ya barstard, Have a bloody go you mug
Shit another bike has just passed me 
come on kiwi give it to these ozzys
saves holding your breath.........

[Curly3]

" Pulling over for a fag "
We're not intereted in sexual preferences, no wonder you don't want to be photographed.

[EML]

very good Slider.

[brent j]

Some good replys on this topic
Looks like I better come out behind the tool box and say i have talked to me self at times under the helmet
when racing..
I Say quotes Like ,get up ya barstard, Have a bloody go you mug
Shit another bike has just passed me 
come on kiwi give it to these ozzys
saves holding your breath.........

Looks like we can yell at each other at the Lakes then eh?

[crankpin]

" Pulling over for a fag "
We're not intereted in sexual preferences, no wonder you don't want to be photographed.

 

[Tim754]

Try a diversion method, squeeze hard and shit your nylons takes your mind off lack of breath

[TT5 Matt]

good one Tim never had trouble breathing whilst racing mx and long track but always was busting for a piss whilst in the line up before the race i was in only to return after the race to the pit crapper and have no need to piss again,always felt good to finally get that 1st piss out and get into serious racing

[STW996]

Im with NR555, Im a talker.

Hey Kenny Powers you related to Max Powers at all?

[tr3nt]

Never really noticed but now i think about it im also a talker. I tend to give myself some motivation like "i need to pass this guy in the next 2 corners" and stuff like that.

[Marc.com]

have you thought about Yoga, a lot of MX riders especially the injured ones use it as a training method plus it is all about proper breathing.

A good Yoga session will have you sweating like a hog, if you want to ratchet it physically up try Power Yoga or Hot Yoga in a warm room......and a final benefit is there are  lot of fit girls in tight lycra bending their Camel Toes over in front of you.....Namaste