Debunking Three Popular Pre-Race Myths
- By Jeff Gaudette
- Published Feb. 4, 2013
- Updated Feb. 22, 2013 at 11:06 AM UTC
Myth 3: I’ve got the perfect race plan.
A race will almost always never go exactly as planned. It doesn’t matter how well-trained you are or how much time you’ve spent plotting the perfect strategy, something is likely to happen that you didn’t expect. Veteran runners have enough race experience that they’ve seen just about everything and are generally more prepared for any circumstance. Unfortunately, most beginners can be thrown off their target much easier and thus need more practice.
The best way to mentally prepare for something going wrong in a race is to use visualization techniques in the weeks and days before you step on the starting line. Visualize as many different scenarios you can think of and formulate a plan of attack in your mind. By conjuring up these emotions, sights and sounds, you can prepare yourself to remain calm and collected so you can execute in a chaotic environment. If any of your scenarios happen during the race, you’ll know exactly what to do and it won’t throw you off your game.
FILED UNDER: Training TAGS: beginner runners / pre-race tips / Recovery / Visualization / warming up
Jeff Gaudette
Jeff has been running for 13 years, at all levels of the sport. He was a two time Division-I All-American in Cross Country while at Brown University and competed professionally for 4 years after college for the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project. Jeff's writing has been featured in Running Times magazine, Endurance Magazine, as well as numerous local magazine fitness columns.