Pre race nerves : how do you cope with them ?

Well, I think most of us get these. Some races more than others ; the greater the pressure, either from yourself or well intentioned family; the worse the nerves can become.

Different people have different ways of managing; and for some, these nerves are a buzz rather than a hindrance.

For me, a few bits and pieces can help. Packing my running kit in advance helps- I would be absolutely stuck if I had forgotten an irreplaceable piece of kit, such as trainers or a sports bra ! Other pieces of kit can be cobbled together - but essentials are essentials. So, pack, recheck, recheck.

Trying to prepare directions in advance, including getting to the race start, also helps in preparation. Parking on race day may prove a nightmare if you haven't sorted a sneaky parking space in advance, and all contributes to a pre race panic.

For food before a race, I try and get down as much cereal and coffee as possible. However, sometimes I need to resort to the option of eating anything which is not going to provoke a nervous vomit - in these instances, I certainly give myself a break from trying to be healthy.

City marathons tend to prompt the most nerves for me, due to the crowds and pre race build up. So, headphones in, favourite music on, - these distractions work.


The most important thing to remember, however, before any race : You are more prepared for this event now, at this point, than you ever have been previously. So go with it.

Bit breezy. Enough pics now

Heh heh

Storm Doris

And a bit crazy off road too.  But honestly,  still good to be out running

Storm Doris

Ants in my pants with trying to stay indoors,  so just a little run in the storm.  Unfortunately it's chaos on the roads

This is the running me....

Hi... I'm Rachel... Mildly fanatical runner, and happily so.

I have been lucky enough to run in some incredible places, and hope to continue. Unfortunately not very fast... But loving every moment.

Please enjoy this account of these experiences? And run, too ?

The Spine , or Spineless ??

Well, in my infinite (un)wisdom, I applied and was given a place on next Januarys' Spine race. This is as scary as you can get, within this country, I feel. It is pretty big in multi day racing terms, I am forced to believe.

My understanding is, that it is the whole of the Pennine Way in the middle of Winter. Over approx 7 days or so. With some self sufficiency. I am already not thinking too deeply about it, in the hope that what I don't know or fully understand, cannot hurt too much. A couple of mates- pretty hard themselves- have tried to warn me off and suggested something easier, like the MDS (!!!!ahem).

So in a bid to break myself in gently, I thought I would at least try and examine the route and price up better sleeping bags.

I am not entering this lightly. Just with much trepidation.