The Mental Aspect of a Championship Racing Season
Tips to help you stay calm and composed this season
Where's your head when the racing starts to count?
Championship season can make you rise to the occasion... or not.
For many high schoolers (and college) runners, championship season is upon us. It's the time when all of the hard work they've done starts to pay off with PR's, trophies, and awards.
But sometimes, the pressure to perform becomes too much for some and the weight of the moment weighs heavy and plays a negative character in the spotlight.
Between the fear of failure, the physical demands of racing often, and the pressure to be at. your. best... Well, sometimes it's enough to send you into a tailspin.
Here are some tips to help you cope with the high-stress environment that is championship season.
Be Mindful
Practicing being present and in the moment. Focus your attention to your thoughts and leave the judgment behind. When you practice mindfulness, you can recognize and limit your anxious thoughts and feelings. Practicing mindfulness when you don't need it allows you to harness it when you do need it.
Find People Who Understand
Coaches and teammates are there to help you manage your mindset. Remind yourself that no matter the outcome, you will still be loved. Â
Set Realistic Goals
Set goals that are achievable and manageable so you can keep your mind calm. Break the goals into smaller steps so you have some small wins. This will keep you in control and reduce feeling overwhelmed.
Take Care of Yourself
Yes, this is the section where you have full control over how well you perform.
Get sleep: 7-8 hours a night.
Hydrate: your pee should be faint yellow/clear.
Stay clear of alcohol as it wrecks your sleep and how you perform.
Active stretching before you run; static stretching after.
See Success
What does success look like to you? You might finish 10th in the race but be super happy with the performance. Or, you might run a really good time but have executed poorly. Â
By visualizing what your race will look like you've already run the race in your mind so you just have to do what you did in your race.
Remember, it's normal to feel all the feels during championship racing season. Practicing mindfulness, taking care of your body, and visualizing success will all help you perform your best when it counts the most.
You got this.
New Blog Post Alert:
Tips to Master Pool Running: An Effective Way to Cross Train for Injured Runners
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Friday’s Action Plan
Use mindfulness to help you overcome race performance anxiety so you can perform at a high level.
What Has My Attention:
You’re probably running your easy miles too fast — here’s how to pace yourself
Pool Running 101: Tips to help you master pool running
Strength train to be a faster runner
Quote of the Week:
Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it, time will pass anyway.
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