I always seem to be nervous at the beginning of my races, be it a 5k or an 800m. This is my first year of track, i currently run the 800m. Yesterday I set my personal record of 2:19. Coming down 7 seconds from my old pr of 2:26. Now reflecting on it I think I could have done better if I wasn't so nervous. Any suggestions on how to deal with this nervousness?
2007-04-21 04:24:25 · 14 answers · asked by Matt777 1 in Sports ➔ Running
Nervousness is normal. Just don't waste 2 hours of energy on pre-race nervousness.
I used to just hang around and relax, joke with my friends, right up until the third call for my race (also the 800m). At that point I wanted to be one of the last to report to the starting line. The goal was to get there as late as possible and get the gun as quick as possible thereby providing only a few minutes of nervousness.
2007-04-21 04:30:46 · answer #1 · answered by AZ123 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Nerves are one of the toughest mental challenges that runners face. Take a few minutes on the bleachers before the race and take 10-20 deep and slow breaths. Hold them for a count of 3 and slowly exhale. Think about something relaxing...vacation...beach...etc... Go the starting line without a care in the world and all of that nervous energy will help you in the race rather than being spent pacing around and checking out the competition. Best of luck!
- Mike
2007-04-21 14:02:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try to think positive! Having an optimistic outlook about your race and thinking about doing your best usually makes me feel better for at least a few minutes. Just take your mind off of the race until you are going up to the starting line. Stretch, talk to teammates, or listen to music. And make sure you are prepared for the race (like being hydrated). If you know that you're prepared for the race, you won't be so nervous.
2007-04-21 11:18:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being nervous is totally normal. I ran track when I was younger and I had to go to the bathroom before EVERY race - I was such a wreck!
Just try to relax as much as possible. Hang with teammates, listen to music, sit down and stretch if need be. I found that if I remained standing, I would get even more worked up. Sitting forces you to slow down.
Good luck!
2007-04-22 09:31:28 · answer #4 · answered by YSIC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i just joke with my friends and chill during the warming up.. saying that i dont want to run the race
then i get to the line right before the race starts..
the only thing i think is about what will happen after the race
i always think a hot chick on the team will congragulate me that i did a good job
thats what i do to cope pre-race nervousness =]
2007-04-21 06:09:08 · answer #5 · answered by bobert 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just stretch and talk about something unrelated with a friend. make sure that you don't stand around or you will become more tired. use the nervous energy to sprint out at the beginning. then settle into your average pace. i did this at the beginning of a cross-country race and i led the race for a while.
2007-04-21 13:43:42 · answer #6 · answered by jana 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, actually being nervous is good, because it means you care about your race, you are ready and you want to do good. when your not nervous and dont care, then you are in trouble. I would say just try to visualize how the race would go the way you wanted it to, only think of positive things, take a breather, and focus on specific things you want to accomplish during your race... alot of ppl get nervous before they run so dont worry.
2007-04-21 13:51:37 · answer #7 · answered by Clementine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always have alot of nervousness aswell. I found talking to my friends helped alot with the nervousness. Just don't geta really funny joke stuck in your had during the race. .. Really screws me up lol. Just think positive and that ITS YOUR race, running is all mental.
2007-04-21 12:47:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-10-13 02:54:59 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
listen to some music and just try to relax, tell yourself it's only a race, try not to talk about running while at the meets, it's really common, especially during the first year
2007-04-21 04:36:44 · answer #10 · answered by payday 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋