Race Rituals

Running on Sunday with my club top and  'racing' trainers

Do you have a race ritual?  I seem to have.... whether it helps me or not, I usually follow the same routine come race day.  Do other people fear if they break their ritual their performance will be hindered?!  What if I don't wear my lucky pants?!!

With it being race season at the moment, I took part in the Mid Argyll Triathlon on Sunday and surprisingly got a PB!  Not sure if it was due to any particular part of my ritual but I never wore my 'lucky necklace' as I usually did.  Maybe it's better without!?

Here is my 'race ritual':

Evening before:

• Organise race clothes the night before (always the same CRC tshirt and favourite Ronhill leggings or More Mile tri suit for triathlons)
• Charge garmin
• Pin on race number
• Attach timing chip if collected (I have always worn my lightweight asics for races this year and I've got some good PBs from them.  Even though they are falling to bits I will wear them this weekend too!)
• Pasta meal (preferably a tomato based sauce with chicken)
• Lots of drinking water is a must
• 8 hours sleep (it's an aim....)

Morning:

• Check weather!
• Nerves kick in
• Get dressed and check all clothing OK (usually put club hoodie on and my favourite joggers to keep warm)
• Panic as can't find ipod
• Panic as realise ipod isn't charged
• Panic as can't find garmin and it's actually in charger
• Breakfast - Porridge and banana.  Toast with peanut butter.  Beetroot juice.  Green tea.  And a coffee WITH sugar.  
• Toilet (sorry but this has to happen!)
• If it's a late start (like Sunday was) then maybe another coffee
• Check garmin for signal
• Warmup
• Toilet (again)
• Get to the start line/pen
• Hopefully some friendly banter with other entrants and wish them all good luck
• GO!

Afterwards, I try to have a protein shake and lots of water.  Then it's time to meet up with other 'racers' - it's the fun bit!  Congratulating them on their times and sharing race stories.  Normally at large races any toonies or club members meet at the family area at the letter C (we'll be there on Sunday at GSR!)  

And whether it be a sprint or a marathon I always have to reward myself with a treat of a nice meal (thai curry or roast dinner is a favourite) as well as a mojito or two :-)

The real reason I run!

Good luck to all racing this weekend - don't break your ritual!