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After completing four years of an undergraduate engineering degree, I learned that proper preparation for a test was key. However, sometimes the occasional cramming for an exam or two was necessary- making that all-nighter beneficial in the long run. A race is NOT a test! Cramming will do you no good. The months of preparation are finished and it's best to relax during the week prior. (I know us Type A's can't relax...but intervals/hills/long runs will do more harm than good in the last week).
My Top 10 Tips for Pre Race Prep
10. Get lots of sleep. Not just the night before, the week before. Get your body adjusted to waking up early and being well rested for Race Day.
9. Never try something new. This means wear your race day clothes before hand and buy ingredients for your favorite pre workout breakfast.
8. Stop focusing on your watch. Your training is done. Your last few workouts are to loosen muscles not drops training times.
7. Visualize Victory- Imagine yourself crossing the finish line, meeting your race goal time, all with a smile! It's much easier to complete when you can imagine it!
6. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Start hydrating days before race day. Weather is unpredictable (as evidenced by Broad St 2010), and proper hydration will yield peak performance.
5. RELAX. You've spent months training- this is your time to take a deep breathe and mentally prepare.
4. Think of how fortunate you are to be able to complete an endurance race and be proud of what you are getting ready to do! I don't win races, I'm not professional, but if I finish with a smile, I know I've succeeded.
3. Run a couple of miles, slowly, the day before the race to loosen your legs and keep things moving. Stretch well before and after the run so nothing is stiff the next morning.
2. Properly plan race logistics. How are you getting there, how are you getting home, are you checking a bag? Proper planning will leave less room for stress the morning of the race.
1. Have fun! This is your time, your success! Life in the moment and enjoy! Remember why you are running whether it be a for a cause, a fitness goal, or a team and make it worthwhile!
thank you for helping me achieve pretty much all of those!! letting me buy peanut butter, planning what to check and how to get there, bringing me to spinning, positive self talk etc!
ReplyDeleteas for number 10.... i know we slept a good amount, but we also stayed up later than we should have, remembering south africa and laughing until were rolling & crying! i pick that over shaving a few seconds off my time any day! love you!