BEING PREPARED FOR RACE DAY

The big day has arrived; but am I ready for it? Have I done the necessary things physically and mentally to be ready?  The questions actually sound easier than they are.  A simple yes or no will hardly suffice.  There are so many variables in this mix that I can hardly be sure of my answer even when I give it.

Some have noticed that I have an award mounted on the dash of my van; but when they get close they express surprise that it is for second place.  From all of the winning trophies that I have picked up in the last year, why give such a prominent position to this one? As much as anything else, it is a reminder to myself.  A reminder that I can be beaten, on any given day, if I do not come prepared to run.  By letting down just a little, by neglecting my training, I could be in second place or less every time.  If I want to win, I have to be prepared on race day.

Getting there, however, is the problem.  I have found no magic formula.  A given thing doesn't even work the same every time, so I continue to experiment.  It is usually only after the race is over that I know if I have been reasonably successful.  Let me share two observations with you:

1. PREPARATION MUST BEGIN EARLY.  A winning race is often not decided on race day.  It depends more on the days that have preceded it.  It is reflected in the training, the things eaten and the recovery times of especially the last week.  If the preceding week has not gone right, the race day is certainly in jeopardy.  For example, while some seem to have little problem on this issue, I struggle with weight.  It almost seems that I can walk by and smell certain foods and gain three pounds!  How much worse then when I really break training and pig out on something I like.  Regardless of jour situation there is no doubt that how you eat will affect how you run.  There is even danger in not eating to lose weight (and hopefully run faster) lest this cause a corresponding loss of energy at the same time, and thus defeat your own purpose.

2. MENTAL PREPARATION IS THE HARDEST.  We all know the physical preparation is necessary. We must get our training in.  We must allow proper recovery time.  Even on the morning of race day we want to eat just the right thing, spend time stretching and jogging, plus choosing carefully what to wear.  All of these things will affect how we can run this race.

More important (and more difficult) is trying to get mentally ready.  Few things are so devastating as getting into a race and then learning that you are simply not ready to run.  Amazingly, it is hard to determine this fully ahead of time; but the realization sometimes catches up with you in the first half mile.  Suddenly the questions begin to crowd their way into your mind: "Why am I doing this?"  "Do I really want to press this hard any more?"  "Is even winning worth what this is costing me?" It is not a matter of wanting the questions to come.  They come of their own accord; and we have to deal with them.  What we have done in advance will determine how we solve the problem.

I have confessed to you already that I have found no never-failing remedies. I am only calling attention to the fact that the problem is there.  You must make your own plans for how to deal with it.  You may already have a great way of getting yourself syked up for a great race.  If so, more power to you.  Do that which works best for you; and show up the competition.  Surely you need nothing more from me.

If, however, you have not developed a solid plan for getting prepared for your next race, then I urge you to do so at once.  Good races develop from good preparation.  The plan can be uniquely yours; but having a plan is critically important to your running well. With that in mind, I urge you not only to show up on race day; but to determine now that you are going to be prepared, physically and mentally, to run well.