Race day neuroses
100
Member
95 days
StephenPDennis posted 9 weeks ago.
I wouldn't really call it a race day neurosis but I simply have to have a bowl of oatmeal with raisins the morning of a foot race. I simply must. It's my magic race fuel. Even if I'm going to my parents house for a local race I will still bring a baggie of oatmeal (which I know they have) with me. What's more is that I really pig out too, this is no small bowl, easily three servings. But my stomach can take it no problems and it calms and comforts me so that I can approach the race as 'zen' as I can.
Come to think of it, perhaps it is a neurosis because I simply don't know how I'd react if I didn't have it. I think 'flipping out' would be putting it mildly.
346
Member
93 days
jtrimom posted 9 weeks ago.
I check my race bag at least three times in case my googles and swim cap grew feet and walked away (which is entirely possible in a house with 4 kids under the age of 8)
84
Member
92 days
zagfan posted 9 weeks ago.
Its not only a race day quirk (I've only had one race day) but I have to have Starbucks in the morning. We have a Starbucks espresso machine at home and I have to have a latte before I head out the door before any morning workout/race. I've tried going without it once and I was completely flat and useless. And I have to clear the system before any race or long workout. Nothings worse than having that grumbling feeling in the stomach halfway through a swim or long run when its not exactly convenient to make a pit stop.
716
Member
781 days
tsilcyc posted 9 weeks ago.
I can't eat meat the night before a big race... I'm afraid I'm going to get salmanella or E coli.
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448
Member
1221 days
Tamara posted 9 weeks ago.
I don't drink coffee, except on race mornings. I hate the taste of it, but that extra kick of caffeine helps me get revv'ed up. I also triple check my bag, convinced that I forgot something critical despite having checked everything off my list as I packed the day before.
"It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit." ~George Sheehan
450
Member
382 days
TryScott posted 9 weeks ago.
I have these nasty stained ripped old Umbro shorts that I bought in high school in 1995. I've wore them in every road race since I bought them (around 20). My first tri I put them on over top my tri shorts once I took off my wetsuit. In my last tri, I actually didn't wear them, but I packed them in case I felt like putting them on after the race.
Until now I didn't realize just how attached I am to those shorts. I better tell my wife before she tosses them.
2687
Member
1266 days
Anton posted 9 weeks ago.
A cup of tea. Hot. Two teaspoons of sugar. Carry tea bags, sugar, water a Jet-Boil stove to races, just in case I can't find a cup in the morning. Have to have tea pre race. Period.
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://anton.trifuel.net
93
Member
333 days
burnman posted 9 weeks ago.
it's not nerousis, but probably nervousness. without fail, before any race, I find myself 5 minutes from the start and I have to choose between finding a sufficiently secluded spot for #1 or getting to the starting line on time. I usually opt for the #1. luckily for me - and unfortunately for my fellow competetors - the swim start solves the problem for me.
346
Member
93 days
jtrimom posted 9 weeks ago.
burnman wrote:
it's not nerousis, but probably nervousness. without fail, before any race, I find myself 5 minutes from the start and I have to choose between finding a sufficiently secluded spot for #1 or getting to the starting line on time. I usually opt for the #1. luckily for me - and unfortunately for my fellow competetors - the swim start solves the problem for me.
That's why I would prefer to be in the first wave...b/c the swim start solves that problem for soooo many triathletes ;)
483
Member
217 days
jsk85 posted 9 weeks ago.
I'd say this is more along the line of nervousness, but within the last 1/2 hour before a race I go into a panic about not being hydrated enough. When I go pee before the race I check and make sure it's clear, but then convince myself that I just peed myself to dehydration and have to start again. I'm the guy you'll see at the race hitting the water fountain every 2 minutes until start if its a pool swim, or carrying an extra water bottle all the way to the edge of the lake/river before handing it off to one of my spectators just before jumping in on an open water swim.
My blog: http://jsktri.blogspot.com
56
Member
1664 days
Dannyboy posted 9 weeks ago.
I try to get to the race early to get my transition setup and get a nice warm-up in. I usually get there late so my transition is thrown together, my warm-up consists of running to the swim start in my wetsuit and then running to the john for a little pre-race download. After that little bit of craziness, everything always comes together just fine.
I wonder what it would be like to not be in a hurry?
106
Member
417 days
rebekahliz posted 9 weeks ago.
I skip. A lot. Warms the legs, lets out nervous energy, and makes me feel 5...which reminds me to have fun.
Di mana ada kemauan, di situ ada jalan (Where there is desire, there is a road). – Indonesian proverb
120
Member
1265 days
grlawguy posted 9 weeks ago.
No joke: When I have a Sat. a.m. race, I pack my tri bag on Wed. nite; unpack it and repack it on Thurs., and then unpack and repack it on Fri. nite. I have a preprinted checklist and check the items as I put them in, and check the items as I take them out. Each time. Insane, I know. But, I have never forgotten anything.
346
Member
93 days
jtrimom posted 9 weeks ago.
grlawguy wrote:
No joke: When I have a Sat. a.m. race, I pack my tri bag on Wed. nite; unpack it and repack it on Thurs., and then unpack and repack it on Fri. nite. I have a preprinted checklist and check the items as I put them in, and check the items as I take them out. Each time. Insane, I know. But, I have never forgotten anything.
that's funny (b/c I do a similar OCD dance with my bag)
2333
Member
1229 days
Triguy98 posted 9 weeks ago.
I have my rituals. My race day only clothing and shoes. A race morning ritual and music I must listen to on the way to the race (Metallica, kill em all.) I always follow the same order when setting up my transition area and always do a run through into the T-area and go through putting everything on in my mind.
Following rituals is a good way to keep ones self calm and collected, and keeps you from forgetting to take care of the little things.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
100
Member
95 days
StephenPDennis posted 9 weeks ago.
rebekahliz wrote:
I skip. A lot. Warms the legs, lets out nervous energy, and makes me feel 5...which reminds me to have fun.
That is a fantastic pre-race habit. If anyone is attending, I'll be the guy at TOBAY skipping around!
133
Member
256 days
dollfin04 posted 9 weeks ago.
I've got a couple so far. I like to give myself plenty of time to wake up and do some yoga stretches. I also like to eat oatmeal for breakfast; I put egg whites, milk, peanut butter, and bananas in it. And I'm also a bit OCD about packing my bag. I have a check list that I go over and I make sure everything is in the car the night before. But so far I haven't forgotten anything. Fingers crossed. :)
43
Member
918 days
csaf31 posted 9 weeks ago.
I drink mango gatorade, eat wheat bread with pb, one bannana for breakfast. Almost always wear my University of Michigan Tom Brady jersey (figure a winner on my back will help me produce a clutch performance), fruit punch gatorade for the race, don't talk to anyone (I know its rude but I need to focus), listen to Emminem's "Lose Yourself" as last song on I pod before I need to leave transition or right before getting in swim wave after all--"Success is my only *******f****n option, failure's not"
4404
Member
1624 days
beads1985 posted 9 weeks ago.
I have a checklist and I start packing the weekend before a race.
I am pretty relaxed come race day now.
Worse case scenario;
Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome.
''Nothing to it, but to do it''
http://beads1985.trifuel.net/
If this thread has already been done before, I apologize (I couldn't find it anywhere)...
What are your race day quirks? What do you HAVE to do before you leave for the race site, and once you get there. Do y'all have "lucky" clothing?
I have to brush my teeth before I race... Can get away with just about anything else, but have to do that.