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Runners World Articles: Archives Worryfree Racing Perhaps you’ve used the "I’m not fast" or the "I don’t have a competitive chromosome in my body" excuse. Or maybe the thought of pinning a race number to your shirt and lining up with hundreds or thousands of other runners makes your neck hair stand on end. Don’t let such excuses keep you from racing. You can-and should-race. Whether you have a time goal in mind or just want to get to the finish line, racing lets you gather with energetic, supportive people. Racing will motivate you to train better. It will inspire you to run more races. Yes, you can enjoy racing. And you can chase away and lingering doubts by following my seven tips to worryfree racing. Accept nervousness. You’re going to get nervous. Everyone does in the days before a race, and especially in the last several hours. Let yourself. Just keep in under control. For instance, reduce any negative, self-defeating thoughts by reminding yourself that you’re that you’re not necessarily here to win a trophy. You’re here to run with friendly people and enjoy yourself. It’s okay to run slowly-and walk-when necessary. Once you get moving, the butterflies will flutter away. Run a "mind" race. Most prerace jitters are simple fear of the unknown. That’s why repeatedly visualizing the race beforehand will settle you down. Mentally anticipate your steps-walking up, riding to the site, running the race, crossing the finish line and returning home. Your anxieties will calm down as you realize that you have nothing to worry about. Sign up for your next race. Having another race on the calendar before you toe the line for this one will give you mental and physical momentum. I don’t recommend racing every weekend, but once or twice a month will keep you energized and challenged. Crack a joke. Sharing a laugh with someone or with yourself will help you forget those nerve-racking, self-deprecating thoughts and instead help you focus on racing’s fun side. For instance, just before a race, I might look at my shoes and notice how banged up and dirty they look. Or I’ll check out my clashing shorts and singlet. I can’t help but chuckle-and my nervousness disappears. Line up in the correct place. To avoid getting trampled, line up with the folks at your level. Most races have pace signs to guide you, but when in doubt, line up farther back in the pack. Pace yourself. Start out slowly and hold yourself back during the first mile. You’ll make up the time-and then some-as you build speed toward the end. On hilly coursed, try to maintain the same breathing pattern throughout the race. In other words, when running uphill or into the wind, you can run a bit slower than on flat land. Also, you can pick up speed on the downhills or when you’re running with the wind. Enjoy the rewards. Look for and enjoy the positive experiences. Feel proud that you’re running a race that you never thought you were brave enough to try. Savor the joy of crossing the finish line. Congratulate several people. Listen to and remember their inspiring statements and funny stories. RACE-DAY MISTAKES In addition to following my seven tips for worryfree-racing, you can avoid some common race-day mistake by observing these four "don’ts." Don’t worry about sleep. As long as you’ve had one average night’s sleep in the three nights before a race, you’ll do fine. I’ve run some of my best races when I’ve had no sleep the night before. Don’t try anything new. Use the eating and warmup ritual that has worked for you in training runs and other races. Even if you hear about a miracle performance product, don’t try it the day of the race. Also, if you buy new shoes at the prerace expo, don’t wear them on race day-you’ll be asking for blisters. Don’t berate yourself. Just finishing a race is a significant achievement. Enjoy the postrace glow and start working on your next goal the following day. Don’t get a big head. It’s wonderful to enjoy a good performance. You earned it. But don’t get too fixated on improving your time in every race. Racing offers many rewards in addition to personal records and trophies.-J.G.
From Runner's World, June 1998, p. 42
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