I also clean my bike before every race. Also wax it. I didnt wax it last time and my bike computer feel off. Wont be neglecting THAT again.

I always wear the same socks. I do wash them, however.

I'm not as bad as I was in high school with running. But I still havent done as many tris as I did XC races in my first year, well, I might be close.

I always watch a movie the night before a race...some type of action or sports movie....from Rocky to The Replacements
ON race day, music...to pump me up....before I leave my room.... then I stay really quite for a few minutes....trying to visualize the course....and the I knee down...and pray.....

you will all call me a nut job but here goes....i'm being open.

the day before a race i have heaps of water out of my favourite drink bottle, had it for years. when i get up I ride the first 10k of the bike course really easy. Then i watch the sun go down on the beach. All day i try not to speak, just to focus on me and my race (selfish i know, but it's an individual sport so... :p ) when i go to sleep i have my tri suit hanging on a coat hanger and shoes below it.
I get up and catch sun rise, it has a calming effect, i still stay quiet up untill about check in then it's all systems go also it's toast and jam with a banana and a GU for brekkie.

I think about Dad. I take a moment and think about the snow and cold of winter in 1944 and all my Dad suffered through fighting in Belgium. I ask him to look over me and help me find strength and keep me safe. I know what I am doing on race day is nothing compared to what he did. It gives perspective.
I won't toe the start line unless do that.

Anton,

that wasn't too heavy. That was just plain sincere and I admire that because it shows us all different and noble reasons of 'why we do this'.

I, too, have special socks. All my run/bike socks are marked with a Sharpie so I can keep members of the same pair together. Some of them have letters on them; some have numbers. My race socks are either my "A" or "A+" socks. I also use them on significant training days.

When I am ready to leave from wherever I am on race day, I look in the mirror, and a la Roy Scheider in "All That Jazz," I say out loud, "IT'S SHOWTIME!"

I, too, will be asking for strength from my mother, who passed away this past Monday, in 4 weeks when I toe the line at Ironman Brazil. She suffered; I will not. She was in pain; I will not be. She was never able to physically see me race; but she's been there every time I've crossed that line.

How about this for a superstition:

I try to avoid wearing any clothing with an m-dot on it. (I have a Timex watch, and I think my aerobars have one on them, but that's about it.). I don't want to wear anything m-dot until I've finished an ironman.

4 months, 10 days, 8 hours and counting...

I also won't do it. I bought a m-dot visor, thought is would help motivate me - keep me focused on the ultimate goal. Can't wear it anymore, don't feel as though i deserve to.
Have my very first tri this sunday - (sprint) I'm SCARED as hell.

Same with me - Can't wear M-Dot until after cross the line - However, I did buy an IMWI in-training shirt. I have that hanging in the basement in case I need a reminder to focus on my workouts - only 131 days (22 hours 58 min) for IMWI.

It started as a high school football tradition. Right before kick off saying "Where else would you rather be, than right here, right now!!!" Did the same thing in college and now right before my swim wave.

On the first mile of the bike I always thank God I made it through the swim and for a great day to race.

Does this mean I have to have to scrape the M-dot tat off the the back back of my calf?
Bummer...where IS that razor...