Race day is almost here! You’ve trained, watched your nutrition and have envisioned the starting line 195 times. Maybe it’s your first race…maybe it’s your 50th. Regardless of what type of race, distance, how hard or easy it may be or how much doubt is swirling in your head…try these three quick tips to calm yourself down on race morning.

CALM DEEP BREATHES – This one is a classic for a reason – it works! At whatever point time best to you on race morning (before the start, right when you’re stretching or setting up or after a quick chat with friends) – take at least 90 seconds to two minutes (or longer if you’d like) and take SLOW POWERFUL deep breathes. Focus on good paced breathing, pause for 1 second and then exhale with a bit of forcefulness and purpose.

PICTURE YOUR RACE PLAN – Visualization is HUGE for anything in life, especially a race day athletic event. Envision what it’s like getting out of the water (if you’re doing a triathlon) or what running for the first mile vs the 4th mile will feel like. Imagine yourself stopping at the aid station to catch your breath or grab a drink of electrolyte tea. Maybe a bathroom break. These small pictures in your mind help you do things without a huge amount of focus. Visualize a good race morning and it will present itself that way for you!

FORGET THE FEAR – You control ALL the thoughts and doubt in your own mind! Remember that! Not your friends, family, coworkers, boss, neighbor – no one else has actual direction of the doubt IN your mind. Ditch fear on race morning by being kind to yourself, focusing on positive aspects of the race and race day and know that you are prepared and strong enough to complete your goals.

OWN these tips at one of our races this season…you’ll have a BLAST and find the stress having melted away!