Race Rituals

The race - Race against Child Abuse

The distance - 10K

The date - THIS SATURDAY

I'm SO antsy! As my first race of the season approaches I am getting so anxious! The good kind. The excited kind. The "I can barely contain myself!" kind. How do I quench the butterflies? Here's my plan of attack.

1 - First and foremost...Be Prepared!

• I make sure I've trained well enough that I know I can at least do the distance.
• I eat a good dinner and stay hydrated through-out the day before the race.
• I try to get at least 8 hours of sleep during the 2 nights before the race.
• I find directions to get to the race and where the parking is.
• I lay out my clothes, Ipod, and and a plan for what I'm going to have for breakfast the night before.

2 - Do everything early race morning.

Wake up early. Get ready early. Arrive to the race early.

I HATE to be rushed on race morning. I need to save that adrenaline for running! Ideally I get to a race at least 30-40 minutes early so I can warm-up, stretch, mentally visualize how I'm going to run and take care of number 3.  No this does not involve a bodily function. It's the next step. ;)

3 - Take care of my pre-race rituals. I know, Silly right? But these are the things I have to make sure are done.

~ I have to make sure my laces are double-knotted and tied with equal pressure. I don't like if one shoe is fitting snugger than the other.

~ Visit the porta-pit about 15 minutes before start time. Even if I've gone 3 times during the morning, it's just something I have to do.

~ Then right before the gun I make sure my tunes are on, volume is perfect, and my finger is on the start button for the timer.

It may seems silly but having a set sequence of things you do before the race can actually CALM you. Check this out. Rather than trying to fight performance anxiety, elite athletes use pre-race rituals to help them manage it. They might listen to music on an iPod, pray, meditate, or go through a specific warm-up. Work on developing your own pre-race rituals and do them before every race, so they become familiar and relaxing. (1)

If you caught the speed skating at the 2010 Winter Olympics you might have seen Apolo Ohno yawning before his races and thought "Why doesn't he try to get more sleep?" Actually, this is one of his pre-race rituals.

Apolo Ohno - "Number one, it's a habit. Number two, it relaxes me," Ohno said. "I'm not tired at all. I have this visualization thing. I try to think I'm a lion when I'm on the ice. I notice lions yawn a lot." (2)

 

What are some of your pre-race rituals? Do you wear the same pair of socks to every race? Do you repeat a mantra? Do you make sure to apply the lucky chap stick and pant your toe nails bright red the night before? Come on, I wanna hear 'em!

References

(1)-http://running.about.com/od/mentalaspects/
      tp/performanceanxiety.html

(2)-http://insidetv.aol.com/2010/03/05/apolo-ohno-
      explains-pre-race-yawning-ritual-video/

Playlist Update

My music needs to be upbeat and energetic when I run to keep my pace going strong. 

Here's some more great tunes to add to your playlist.  Click the link for a download.

• Train - Hey Soul Sister
• Gaelic Storm - What's the Rumpus?
• Muse - Supermassive Black Hole

Hope you enjoy!  Oh, and if you have any suggestions for my Ipod, do tell!

For previous playlist posts, look to the right and click the "playlist" link under "Hot Topics".

Sign Up for a Race!

Need some motivation?  Try signing up for a race! 

This is by far the best thing I do for myself to keep me striving to go farther, do better, get faster, or just plain keep me going.  Plus you get to meet some great people.  The sense of community that runners have is amazing and encouraging.  Pressure's off!  Most races have different categories too (age, weight, distance, and sometimes pace) so your not up against the whole field.  Ever heard of the "Clydesdale" runners?  This is for you men with healthy appetites.  Really, runners come in many shapes and forms.  Don't be discouraged, give it a shot!  You'll find that this community cheers for everyone.

Set some sort of goal whether it be to finish in the top three, not to finish last, or just to finish.  After your first race you'll then have a time you can try and beat at your next race.  Or, as you're running find someone a little farther ahead of you that you would like to catch up to or pass.  Little accomplishments really can feel quite rewarding.  If all else fails, finish strong.  When you catch site of the finish line PICK UP THE PACE.  Not too soon though.  You'd rather be sprinting than crawling to the end right?  Above all...HAVE FUN!!!  After all you've probably got yourself a new T-shirt, some new friends, and hopefully a big prize from the raffle. 

Here's a couple of upcoming races in my neighborhood.  Click on the links for online registration. 

May 1st - Race Against Child Abuse

• Offers 10k, 5k, or 1 mile
• Early registration by April 24th
• Place - Wellsville, UT
• Time - 9:30

May 8th - Smithfield Health Days

• Locate left side tab "Programs"
• Use drop down menu to find "10 Health Days Fun Run"
• Choose your distance - 10k, 5k, or 1 mile
• Place - Smithfield, UT
• Early registration - May 3rd

What's going on in your neck of the woods?  Here's some ways to find out. 

Find your local parks and recreation office.
Search online for local races.
Logon to your City or County website.
Ask your sporting good store if they have any race schedules
Check out...
http://www.active.com/,
http://www.theschedule.com/, or
Runnersworld Race Finder


Good Luck!  See ya on the road!