Every Wednesday, the Deb from Deb Runs will be providing a word about which to blog. Kind of like a nice little blog prompt. Posts can be fitness or health related, but don’t have to be, so really anyone can play along. Just be sure to link up with InLinkz on Deb’s main post, and share the love by reading and commenting on other’s participant’s posts.
This week’s Word is CONFIDENT
I wish I could say that I am always confident before a race. Because often, I am not.
But here’s what I’d suggest:
- Have realistic goals.
Of course, we runners have lofty goals. I’d like to run a sub 2 hour half marathon. But I am not confident right now that that can happen. If you are goal-oriented, have multiple goals and one should be a goal that you can confidently reach.
One of my goals was to finish the race pain-free and I did.
- Taper.
I am not good following my own advice. But no one should arrive at a race with tired legs. The week before a race should be a cut back week with minimal mileage. I always like to rest two days before my race, as well.
Walking all over NYC the day before my half was probably not smart. Live and learn.
- Know the race logistics in advance.
It is important to figure out where the race start is and where to park. And will it be crowded and how early should you arrive? Will there be a bag check? How far away will the porta-potties be? Will there be many of them? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you feel confident on race day.
Very happy to have taken a cab and arrived early at this crowded race in NYC
- Come to a race prepared.
You know what I mean. Bring everything that you will need – fuel, hat, gloves, throw-away items, bib, water, etc. We have all forgotten something essential at one time or another. Like charging your watch….
was running late and didn’t have time to put moleskin on my feet – hence BLISTERS
- Be flexible.
In order to feel confident, you have to “go with the flow.” It may rain. It may be windy. Some part of your body may hurt that has never hurt before. There may be hills even though the course was described as “mostly flat.”
My feet were never so painful as during this race (or after.) All my PR hopes just went out the window.
- Find a friend or chat with a fellow runner.
Runners are great! If you don’t know anyone at a race, just start a conversation with a stranger. You’ll find that you have a lot in common. (You are running the same race, right?)
Lucky to find some fellow SkirtSports ambassadors!!
- Trust your plan.
This is the most important one. You have trained. You did your runs. You are ready! No second guessing. BE CONFIDENT!!
Happy Running! Do you feel confident before a race? What did you do to get that way?
My First 5K and More... 
I usually feel confident in my training before a race, unless, of course, I’m injured.
Not always so confident that I’ll meet my goals.
Great tips!
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So I guess as I said you need more than one goal – one that’s a stretch and one that you are sure to meet.
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I’m never sure of anything, really! You just never know — as you know!
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That’s true. My goal is always either finish or have fun. One of those usually happens.
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Yes, finishing is always a goal, and so far I’ve managed to, but DNFs happen too & you just never know.
I’m sure if I’d broken a foot I’d DNF!
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Ya never know. You didn’t quit with knee pain.
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I really should have!
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good tips. i usually feel pretty confident, but i remember being so nervous my first half marathon. go with the flow is a good thing to remember, b/c how you feel mentally really affects your performance. i remember one race i ran (NYC Half), it was in the teens that morning while we were waiting for over an hour in Central Park for it to start, and we all started running with near-frozen legs. you never know what you’ll get!
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So true. I was just in Florida and I was freezing. Who knew?
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These are great tips! I’m usually a combination of nerves and confidence, if that even makes sense!! Ha!
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That makes total sense. I am confident and yet I am nervous. Don’t know why I continue to doubt myself.
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This is great, Darlene! I guess I better be ready for steamy Florida weather. Then if it’s cool, hey, that would be awesome! For the race, anyways…
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I hope that you have perfect weather.
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Feeling confident at the moment with my training and feeling confident about the race. I have a stressful job and have learned that its often mind over matter…
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yes it is. I think that you will do great in your marathon.
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I am never very confident when I line up to run. I think my 5K and my last half was the best I ever felt as far as pre-race nerves. Maybe finally, I can approach an event without a knot in my tummy.
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I think I can but I am always a little nervous of the “what ifs.”
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Be flexible and finding a friend are two things I plan to do when I race in April! Various training cycles I have felt more confident than others. Due to my recent injury, I have decided to make the London Marathon race an experience rather than a race. It will make the day much more enjoyable since I will not be in race shape that soon.
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Great idea. Have a fun time. Racing in London…sounds awesome.
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I am really bad at trusting the training! And I also typically push myself too hard- instead of being happy at my times, I always think I can do better. I think this may be some backlash from my childhood when I felt nothing I did was good enough for my dad, but I’m working on taking it one step at a time! Being flexible is definitely important!
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I push myself too. But this year, I am trying not to … just enjoy running. Wish me luck.
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I’d like to run a sub 2 hour half marathon too…I feel pretty confident I can….maybe too confident though!
Uggh..the TAPER…yuck!!!
Trust the plan…AMEN!!
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Good luck. I hope you do but if not this time, you’ll get it in another race.
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thanks!!
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What great pics!!! One time, I ran my favorite Dam-to-Dam race in some favorite shoes that had too many miles on them. By the third mile, my feet were on fire. It took a lot of serious grit and determination to keep going. So, yeah, Live and Learn 😉
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Yes, I usually feel pretty confident before my races because if my training has been off, I go into the race with a goal of just having fun. I also think confidence comes with age, so I’m plenty confident! 🙂
Thanks for linking up!
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Then I am REALLY confident 🙂
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