Race before you're ready.
Your first race is research, not a report card.
Like traveling in the mountains, beginners rush in when it's dangerous and hesitate when it's not. Racing is like the latter.
The desire to be ready creates unnecessary procrastination. If the first race is delayed, the lessons to learn are postponed. Time is wasted, and progression slows. If racing is put off, so is an ideal performance.
Learn by doing.
"No," you might think. "I'll get really fit, and then I'll race."
Fitness is part of it, but not all of it. Racing must be practiced. A smart racer will be able to perform at a higher level than someone who focuses only on fitness. The better racer will win.
Don't wait until you're in top shape before your first race. That only increases nerves by creating an expectation. And then it increases regret when execution is poor. Instead, race when the stakes are low, when you're happy to go slow, and likely to learn something. It'll pay off in better racing down the road.
Ignore your nerves.
Here's how: