READY OR NOT

As a child we liked to play "Hide And Seek".  After all, it was one of those games that didn't cost anything.  No equipment to buy.  Just a group of kids entertaining themselves.  The one who was "IT" did the mandatory counting; and usually concluded with the words, "Ready or not, here I come!" This immediately signified that time was up.  There would be no more delays.  If we had not found that safe hiding place, we could be in serious trouble.  We could no longer put off the inevitable.  The game was in progress.

Recently, I have been impressed with how race day is like that.  You may have trained for months for this particular race; and the time has now come.  The day has arrived.  There is no putting it off.  It's too late for additional training or for better recovery.  Ready or not the starting gun is about to go off.

This gives me both compassion and sympathy for world class runners.  Think of what they face in the Olympic Trials or at the Games themselves.  In watching the Olympic Games recently I  heard it said often concerning various events: "This person has trained for this event for four years.  It will take less than two minutes; but those two minutes will define and shape the rest of their lives!" I tell you, frankly, that I am glad that no race in which I ever have a part means that much.  For me there will always be other races.  I can learn from my mistakes and go again.  Some of them will not have that opportunity.  Furthermore, the difference between Gold and no medal at all was often measured in HUNDREDTH OF A SECOND! How much room does that give for bad days? What about times when you are just not up to your best? But for them...  ready or not..  .no matter how they feel or discouraging circumstances...  they have this one shot.  It cannot be delayed.  It cannot be postponed for even a few minutes.  When their time comes, they must be ready to perform.  I do not envy them that.

Do you realize that America could have been represented by SIX marathoners in the last Olympics if only the people involved could have met their own PRs on the day of their Trials?  Because they could not, we had only one man and one woman, neither of whom even met the "A" Standard for time in the Trials.  So the best marathoners we have in the United States could not compete in the Olympics, all because on that one day (a separate day for men and women) they were not prepared to match what they had done before.  So this is not something faced just by those of us who piddle with running; but by the elite as well.  Yet, ready or not, they had one chance to do well in a particular event.  The cost of not being ready to give the greatest performance of their life was almost indescribable.

Even in smaller events, the cost of not being ready can be high.  Some have missed a race looking for a parking place.  Some have been caught in the restroom or not knowing the correct starting line.  Flat tires, running out of gas or an alarm that didn't go off can all happen; but the race goes on.  Some are at the race; but still not ready.  They realize at the last moment that they have the wrong shoes or have forgotten something they intended to bring.  They long for one last drink of water or more time to stretch; but, at this moment, they are not ready to run.

Being ready takes careful planning.  The things I suggest will certainly not eliminate all your bad days.  They will not assure you of a PR at every race; but they just might raise the percentage of your good race days..  SO CONSIDER THESE STEPS:

1.  PLAN YOUR TRAINING.  Build toward your events.  Avoid distractions or things that disrupt your schedule in any serious way.  Be sure to plan your recovery and tapering as carefully as you plan your runs.

2.  PLAN THE NIGHT BEFORE.  Lay out everything you are going to need in advance.  Don't be searching for your best socks or trying to decide which shoes to wear race day morning.  Plan in advance what you are going to eat for breakfast and the exact time you need to leave the house.  This can save you a great deal of anxiety later.

3.  PLAN FOR RACE DAY MORNING.  One of the hardest things for me was determining to allow plenty of time for everything.  So promise yourself a nap later in the day if necessary; but get up early.  Take all the stress out of the preparation that you can.  Any tension you can relieve now will be to your advantage later on.

4.  PLAN FOR THE RACE ITSELF.  Find out what you can about the course.  Where are the worst hills? Visualize how you are going to run each mile.  Try to jog the last of the course in advance.  Position yourself for the next turn.  Then make yourself run your own race.  Don't be drawn out too fast or become anxious about those who pass you in the first half.  The more relaxed you are (with smooth strides and deep breathing) the better you will run.

Will you be ready for your next race? Much depends on how carefully you are willing to prepare in advance.  It is none too soon to begin.  When the gun goes off, it is strictly

"Ready or Not"!