Before every race, I can hardly sleep.
I (try to) go to bed at 10, I toss and turn all night and then I “wake up” at o-dark-hundred to my 5 alarms that go off a minute after each other so that I don’t oversleep. I haven’t overslept yet.
When I wake up, I have coffee, which is usually already brewing on a timer before I wake up. Usually just the smell of coffee sends me to the bathroom and on race morning, that’s a good thing. Bathroom trips (or lack of) can make or break a race for me. (You’re welcome.)
My stuff is always laid out for me the night before and my bag is always packed. I know I’m going to get schweaty in the race but I shower anyway because it wakes me up. I apply the body glides and the sunscreens and the Road ID, and I get dressed to go. If it’s a triathlon, I may have slept with my timing chip on. Just in case.
I have the same exact breakfast before every race and long morning training, a 1/2 whole wheat bagel with natural peanut butter, sometimes honey or strawberry Polaner All Fruit on it, I have my coffee, and I take my favorite protein bar or shake with me to have an hour before the race, depending on the distance or the race (triathlon yes, 5k no.) And I take my water bottle with me to hydrate.
It’s hard for me to eat breakfast though. I’m not an age-group winner but I am still always a stomach-turning mix of nervous and excited and have nervous stomach until the horn blows and the race starts. It usually makes for multiple potty breaks before-hand, to which I never forget my head lamp or cell phone so as to not be sitting in pitch-black porta potty.
I usually have a song that I’ve been training to that pumps me up on the way to the race and if I’m in the car by myself, I ROCK OUT THE WHOLE WAY. I am a rock star in the car.
If someone is in the car with me on the way to the race, I half rock out. The other half of me is rocking out on the inside. Either way, I’m getting pumped.
I never know what race day is going to hold for me but no matter how similar the race day ritual, every finish line is different and so is the journey to get there.
And no matter how nervous I am, I LOVE RACE DAY.
What are YOUR race day rituals?
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