One question that I get asked (though it didn’t feature in ‘Ask me anything’) is whether I still get nervous about races. The answer is: I do and I don’t.
For me, that anxious tightening in my stomach comes from a lot of things: stress about getting to the start on time, remembering everything I need, what the weather will be doing, whether I can ‘do it’.
Over the years, going through the pre-race faff a few times, these nerves have lessened. A lot of nerves come from unfamiliarity, so the more you do something the easier it gets to relax into it.
I remember sitting in the hotel the day before I ran Manchester for the first time and shivering. I wasn’t cold, I’d just wound myself up with worry about stupid things. A little bit of nervousness is good – it shows you care and gives you a burst of adrenaline – but thankfully I haven’t been in that sort of state again. That was too much nervousness.
This Sunday I’ll run my 16th marathon. I’m not blasé about that enough to not get nervous. I’ve put an ambitious goal out there and for the past two weeks I’ve struggled with a dodgy right shin. But I know that when I line up at the start, those nerves will disappear and all that will be left to do is run.
And whatever happen out on the course, I’ll remind myself that any day you’re fit and well enough to run a marathon is a good day.
Good luck, Laura! Hope you have a wonderful race. Top attitude xx
Thanks I think we all get nervous at some point at a race. Good luck and have a fun race.
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I would say I do and I don’t get nervous before a race as well. I’m nervous before bed and when I wake up that morning, but nerves are replaced with excitement at the start line. Good luck on your marathon!
😉 You’ll be great!
I’m all for just running on not thinking about logistics. Last weekend I drove 1.5hrs to race a 5K XC race with my running club. Most of my teammates left three and a half hours before the race start to pre-run course, etc. I slept in, had a leisurely breakfast, ran two miles with my dogs, and then headed out the door. When I got to race start, I was the second to last person to pick up my bib…in the entire race. 😉 But I still made it to the start line before the gun went off and did not have enough time to worry about hills or gopher holes. YES.
Good luck on your big race! I still get nervous. Funny story: on my last marathon (Boston) I was so nervous thinking about getting to the race, whether I’d eaten the right thing for breakfast, whether I’d need to use the restroom etc. That I forgot it was my son’s 20th birthday!! Good job mom!
OMG – 16th marathon? That’s amaaazing! Congrats! I’ve tried three times to train for my first half, but my knee always starts bothering me when I hit my 10 mile mark in my training and I’ve had to drop out. Hope you’re rocking it today! Good luck!
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