Pre-marathon jitters (Read 649 times)

TexasRose, be assured, relax - you simply cannot "lose." As for pre-race jitters, we know how you feel - not one of us but hasn't experienced the unsettled tummy and rapid heartbeat of the last few days before the race. It might help you to know (for sure) that once the gun goes off, the jitters will quickly go away. You'll be so focused on what you're doing that you won't have time or energy to be nervous. In fact, that's an effective cure for nerves - intense mental focus. Another is a strong and open heart - if you're thinking of others, encouraging them, blessing 'em, you'll find you feel really relaxed and happy AND you'll have a better race. Anyway, best of success - and do let us know how it went. We're rooting for you.

rose, you'll be fine. i'm racing (in phoenix) on sunday, i think it's my 16th marathon. been training hard since june too. but in these last weeks we all feel the same general things. i've gone from the workout remorse phase (reviewed my training and got depressed, though it's fine), to the macho-phase, to the calm and relaxed phase, back a little to the macho-phase, and now entering the fearful phase. lots of things can go wrong in a marathon, but control the things you can control. hopefully you're already waking up at the right time, and maybe jogging or walking a little at race time of the day. you've got a plan about what to eat the day before the race and when. you've got a water/gel plan for the race. and you've got a pace plan. focus on those things and execute your plans. on race day, i'm hoping to progress to the final phase: the happy kid running with his friends phase. at the starts of my best races i'm relaxed, chatting with friends. i actually make some jokes sometimes in the first couple of miles of races... not many people laugh, but some do. race days are magic: we work harder than ever before, we achieve things we didn't think possible. we "strive together" (i.e. the root of the word compete). stay calm, try to relax, smile, and let it happen.

Best on your race down there in Houston!

You are ready. The main thing to "worry" about now is not going out too fast on race day. Avoid that very common mistake, especially with first timers, and you will do justt fine. For more comments, see "Pre-Race Comments for Marathoners" at http://mysite.verizon.net/jim2wr/id65.html.

Isn't that finish line the BEST thing you've EVER seen? Congrats TR, nicely done!