Pre-race strategies for Zen

[Lavender1962]

I noticed that a lot of people have races this weekend. I was wondering what everyone does/ or is doing to relax, stay calm, sleep well before their races. As someone who has a tendency to get too anxious before long races (to the detriment of my performance) what are some strategies that you find useful? I kind of freaked out at my one and only previous half marathon in a panicked way. 😱 I made it through but am hoping for a more pleasant run this time. 🙂

Good luck to all that are racing this weekend! 🏃🏻‍♀️ 🏃‍♂️ 👟

[Decker Ultramarathon]

First off, you'll be great Lav! What I do before a race is run through a faffage list - basically a list of items and tasks to be done the night before and the day of. Here is one I used for a 30k last year: evernote.com/l/AAd71a2q5RNF... If you can't get to it I can copy and paste into the comments. Secondly I find a quiet mantra of some kind is great to quiet the mind. I've used "May I be happy, May I be Healthy, May I be at peace" which is pretty general but seems to do the trick. Even counting breaths helps. Counting breaths from 1-10 and repeating the cycle. It just keeps your mind from wandering into the weeds too much. Remember, this is something you are doing for yourself and so try to enjoy it, even when it hurts. Also music helps me to zone. Go be awesome!!

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Thank you for your ideas and well wishes Decker! What a thorough list. It’s a great help to adapt for a list for my race. 🙂

I’ll have to remember to create a mantra. Positive thinking not rumination is the key - before and during.

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Lavender1962]

I have 100% faith in you.

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Thanks! I did train for it. 🙂

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Lavender1962]

Yes you did 👊👊👊💪

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

I always say to myself, this is fun, this is fun…. and it is. We train hard for our races but at the end of the day it’s supposed to be a bit of fun and so I try not to take races too seriously. I really only do them for the bling 🙂

I used to do a little light gardening in the days before a race but have recently stopped doing this because I can get easily carried away and do too much 🙄

I use a foam roller and stretch a bit and walk around the garden. I’ll always read posts here for inspiration and watch some YouTube stuff on amazing runners but generally I slop around and read or binge watch something on TV.

On the day before my last HM I volunteered to clean our village church and put together some flowers for the next day’s service thinking it would be a nice distraction and not too onerous. But I ended up walking back and forth from the church to home several times for various reasons and had really throbbing shins that night! I was a bit worried the next morning as they were still a bit tingling, but in the end they were fine and didn’t bother me at all on the run👍 But I won’t be doing that again!

Just use the opportunity to chill out a bit and relax if you can. I’m still trying to convince my husband to feed me frozen grapes while I loll around on the sofa…… 🍇😋🤣

Good luck for Sunday!

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon]

Thank you for your reply Irish Princess! Reading and watching a series on tv sound like good diversions! Netflix and chill but really chill not the euphemism. Not sure that I can convince my partner to feed me frozen grapes! I’ll suggest it to him tonight. 😂

[misswobble Marathon]

I’m racing on Sunday 😃🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

It’s very local so I can have a lie-in and walk to the start line. I’m not taking any stuff. If you keep things to a minimum it’s less stress 🙂

I try to eat dinner early as it helps me sleep better. Getting things ready to go on race day is a given. All in one place preferably! 🙂

If you’ve done the training, have your stuff ready the night before, know where you’re going/parking then you can relax. If you’re keyed up go for a jog after dinner 🏃‍♀️👍

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Thanks Miss Wobble for your words! I’m not sure why I get stressed. It’s not like I’m in contention for winning, as a back of the pack runner. The idea really is to relax and have fun. I will try to follow everyone ‘s advice and chill.

Good luck on your race!!! It’s great that you can walk to the start. 🏃‍♀️😀 I look forward to reading your run report.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Oh yes, priority number one is to enjoy it! Hopefully having done it before you will be far less panicked by this one. Certainly my first big event was my worst in terms of nerves and anxiety. I agree with Decker - planning is key, that stops so many things whirling through my head.

Lying in bed calmly visualising all the steps from arrival to finish line also helps me get to sleep if my thoughts spiral before sleep - that orders them and focuses on the practicalities. Inevitably my thoughts get to the 'one step at a time' which is so familiar that eventually my thoughts calm and I rarely get to the finish line before falling asleep! Having said that, I have had five really bad nights in a row for totally non running related reasons, so know I won't be rested on Sunday. This however, has reminded me of the visualisation process and that is what I will be doing tonight every time I wake up! Thanks for the reminder 😊Good luck. Imagine all our pom poms, cheers, support, goodwill and collective strength- we can all do this.

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon]

I’m sorry that you’ve had the 5 bad nights of sleep. Visualisation for the two of us tonight! Good luck Linda! Enjoy your race! With all of the virtual support from this forum we’ll be all set. 😀🏃🏻‍♀️💪

[skysue16 Half Marathon]

Only just found this post- I do hope all goes well and any anxiety doesn’t spoil your enjoyment. I have limited experience of ‘big’ events but would agree with others. For me preparation/planning was key to feeling relaxed. Being organised and having a lovely hubby who took care of travel, accommodation, timing arrival at start, checking I had everything etc really helped last weekend!! I also think training was vital - that knowing I could go the distance gave me confidence. Best of luck 👍

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon in reply to skysue16]

Thanks for your advice skysue! Your hubby sounds like a keeper. Preparation is important. I did the race and it went well. 😀

[skysue16 Half Marathon in reply to Lavender1962]

Oh, that’s great to hear. I will read your race report …..😊