Dear Coach: Do I Really Need a Race Morning Ritual?

Race morning is a stressful time for even the calmest, most prepared athletes. You may find yourself in an unfamiliar location with extra stimulation and nerves at a new high. To make race morning less stressful, smart athletes use a well-planned ritual to get their butterflies flying in formation. These tried and tested race morning rituals prepare the body and mind for peak performance.

Go with what you know

We all know not to try anything new on race day, and the same goes for your pre-race nutrition and hydration. Plan to eat your usual pre-race meal two to three hours before the race to give your body time to digest, and do your usual bathroom routine before heading to the race site. This will keep your nervous stomach happy and allow you to absorb your in-race fuel better.

Focus on what you can control

This includes your gear, your warm-up, your breathing, and your attitude. Gear checklists, breathing exercises, meditations and running through a successful race in your mind’s eye are useful habits. Your favorite mixtape on your headphones can shut out unwanted stimuli and help you avoid any negative transition talk.

Practice makes perfect

Develop an effective pre-race ritual by looking closely at your mindset as you prepare to train. What do you do before every training session that makes you feel great? What makes you smile and relax when you are tense? Many successful athletes have a written timetable that counts down to the race start, outlining when they’ll wake up, eat, arrive at the race venue, warm up, walk to the swim start, etc. It allows them plenty of time for each task, thereby reducing stress and allowing them to be ready when the gun goes off.

A race morning warm-up is a great way to prep your body and mind. Use to it to check the transition layout so you can easily locate your bike rack from all entrances. Include a little intensity in your warm-ups to signal to yourself that you are ready to perform.

There is no “magic system” that will work for everyone, so it’s up to you to find what works. Embrace the ritual and hit a performance high; ignore it at your peril.

Gareth Thomas has been a coach and advisor to top endurance athletes, including world and national champions in triathlon, duathlon, and cycling. He is considered a leading authority on blood lactate testing. Find him at Coachgareth.com.