3 Ways to Calm Your Prerace Nerves

Prior experience with triathlons may allow for a smoother process through the duration of a race, but the prerace nerves are something all athletes endure. The nervousness does not cease with experience, but it does get bearable. With each completed race you can learn more about yourself, especially in terms of how to aid your body and mind. This will allow you to determine some strategies and tactics which will work for you and ultimately give you the ability to curb any prerace nerves to a certain degree.

Not every athlete has the same routine or ritual, so it is really up to the individual to figure out methods of relaxation that will work. This being said, however, researching prerace routines and talking to other athletes will give you some idea on what to try.

Let’s start here. Among many more, below are 3 ways that could help you calm your prerace nerves.

Be Prepared Well Ahead of the Race Day

Don’t leave anything important to get done on the day of the race. You want to do the least possible amount of work prior to your event. Let the hours before the race starts be as relaxing as possible.

In addition,

• Prep your gear ahead of time so everything is in position for you. Do not try on anything new on the day of the race.
• Put together a list to refer to on the day of the event. This way you will not forget anything important.
• Get to the location early so you do not feel rushed. Give yourself time to breathe.
• It’s not just physical preparation, but also mental preparation. Look into various exercises and yoga poses that you could potentially try that will help relax your body and mind.

Be kind to your body in the days leading up to the race. Do not overdo anything prior to the race to the extent that you are exhausted the day of the event.

Adhere to Proper Dietary Requirements

Make sure you know what you should be putting into your body the days leading up to the race. You do not want to wake up the day of the race feeling ill. Being unwell will not help your prerace nerves.

Do all the necessary research, consult your coach and other triathletes, and make sure you know the proper dietary rules.

Stay Positive and Have Fun

Do not let your prerace nerves hinder your abilities. This is easy to say, but it is essential to stay positive prior to the start of the race. You worked very hard leading up to the race and you deserve to be there with all the other athletes. Feeling nervous or overwhelmed is natural, especially with the large amounts of people around. Try to stay focused and allow only positive energy to enter your mind.

Utilize the time before the race to speak with the other athletes. Enjoy the sense of camaraderie as everyone around you gets into the same mental space. You are not alone in your prerace jitters, for everyone in the race is with you.

Something you can also try is to think of the mini goals you made for yourself, as opposed to only the end goal. Thinking solely of the end goal may enable more nerves, for your mind is only on the idea of potential failure or success. Prerace nerves naturally make athletes doubt their abilities and have thoughts of: “What if I don’t succeed? What if I can’t make it through the entire race?”
If it helps, make a music playlist to get into the right mindset. Remember to breathe and let go of any negativity.
The triathlon is meant to be fun for the participating athletes. Although it is very hard work, enjoy the journey.