So I haven't talked about it much, but I'm actually racing this weekend at the Queen's Half Marathon. After all the nerves before the NYC Half, I wanted to keep this next race a bit more low key as a means of staying calmer before the race....
Anddd... I can't say it worked! I still feel nervous! And since many of you are running Boston Marathon this Monday (eeekk - I am sooo excited for you guys!), I wanted to share with you some of my fave ways to relax before a big race.
My Top Tips to Soothe Crazed Nerves Before a Big Race
1) Visualization - Okay, so this is a brand new skill I just learned from the awesomest of awesome running coaches, Marty from Be the Runner. I talk all about visualization here and here.
2) Gettin' everything ready - Honestly, during taper week... all ya wana do is prepare for the race...and all ya really can do is WAIT for the race. So! Put all that anxious energy to work. Make a list of what you'll need and pack it.
Here's a good idea of some items you may need:
your running shoes (seriously, I forgot my running shoes for my first marathon ever in my college dorm)
your running watch + charger
your race day clothes!!
a change of clothes for post-race
your pre-workout fuel
your mid-run fuel
what you'll use to transport mid-run fuel
is it going to rain? pack baggies to wrap your feet in while you wait for the race to start
clothes you can wear to the start line to stay warm, and then donate before the race begins
don't forget socks!!!
3) Eat the carbs!! There's good research that carb loading for men works. For women? Not so much...but I do it anyway because YUM. If ya wana get scientific, then you need to eat 8-10 grams per kilogram of lean body mass. Personally, I have no idea how many pounds on my body are from lean body mass versus water versus fat... so I just eat lots of carbs for 48 hours pre-race. And they taste delish.
4) Avoid fiber!- I "fiber fast" for 24 hours before...avoiding foods that make me supessss gassy because, ahem, do I really need to spell it out for ya?
5) SLEEP LIKE A BABY. Listen. You're going to be nervous and jittery the night before a race. SO... TWO NIGHTS BEFORE the race ya gotta get some surrious shuteye! My race is Saturday, so Thursday night, don't call me, don't text me, don't botha me. I'll be in bed :)
Eekkk... and when all is said and done... I really love repeating a mantra, or a memory, or reliving a "feeling" to myself to help keep me calm.
My personal fave? (And it has been since 2012)
"I am not afraid.
I was born to do this."
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