Dear Runner,
The week before the race is always the worst. You aren’t running, and your mind is telling you each day you rest is a day losing fitness. Your anxiety is at an all-time high, thinking about race day. I wrote this letter to remind you of some things that are easy to forget in the days before a race.
First off, relax. It will be here soon, and you will be able to run again. You will get to put all that training to the test. And don’t worry, all of this rest has been good for you. Combined with all of those long runs, hours spent in the gym and on the road, and sacrifices you’ve made over the past few months, you are set up for a great day.
I know it’s hard, but this is a time to trust in what you have done to this point. You’re not going to drastically improve the week before race day, anyway, and you won’t lose any fitness. The work is done. You’ve come a long way since you started training months ago. By every measure, you are a better athlete. You are healthier, faster, and stronger. And you look fast too!
Secondly, as the saying goes, if you look good, you feel good. And when you feel good, you play good. Your race day outfit looks great, and your shoes look slick. You broke them in appropriately, and they are ready to tear up the roads.
Third. I don’t really need to say this, but what you’re about to do is hard. You know that, and it is exactly why you’re deciding to toe the line. Your competitive edge brought you and the rest of the runners here to do something 99% of people in the world don’t do. That’s special, and you’re ready to tackle the distance. The most rewarding things in life come with a challenge, and this is no different. And the time and attention you’ve devoted to it proves you gave it the respect it deserves.
Four. Now that those other things are out of the way, let’s talk about the race…
When the gun goes off, there will be traffic. Don’t panic. Get with your pace group and settle in. Let the euphoria of getting to run take over and enjoy it! You’re going to feel like those first few miles are too easy, and your mind is going to tell you to go faster. Discipline is key here. Settle into the pace you planned on running. You aren’t going to win anything in the first miles, but you can ruin your day here.
And for Pete’s sake, drink fluids early and often. It’s gonna be early in the day, but still warmer than normal. You need to stay hydrated so you don’t crash and burn later.
Look at all the people lining the streets. They came to support you and their other crazy friends. When you pass your crew, always smile, no matter what sort of pain you may be in. They got up just as early to be here, and deserve their kudos for dealing with you being the annoying spouse, family member, and friend who runs marathons for fun when they could be spending time with someone cooler. They deal with you wearing pretentious shirts saying “Not running sucks”. If that isn’t love, I don’t know what is. Smile and say thank you when strangers offer encouragement, and feed off the energy. This day may seem like the main event, but in reality, it is the celebration of the journey you’ve been on in the weeks and months before. Allow yourself to be mindful of that. Also, allow yourself to remember the impact you can make. You were a bystander once, and someone inspired you enough to get into the race. You never know who’s watching.
Somewhere between half and three-quarters way there, this is going to start to get uncomfortable. You knew this. If you have hydrated well, added some fuel along the way, and paced appropriately you will be able to fend this off for a while, but the pain cave presents itself to us all at some point. You have to go through it. Your legs will eventually tell you how tired they are, short of an actual injury, they can take it. You have to fight through because on the other side of this is something great.
Fifth. Now is a good time to talk about goals. You had an idea of what you wanted to do today, and by the time you start getting uncomfortable, you will know whether it’s within reach or not. And here is where you decide on what type of day it’s going to be. The best thing about running is that no matter what happens, you are better off than you were before. But you have to decide to believe this. There are some days though when things don’t always go your way, and there is a chance this is one of them. Something may derail you, and you may fall off the pace. That doesn’t mean it’s a waste. And it surely isn’t something to take personally. Don’t let setbacks hide the fact that you are doing something major. You entered the arena, and are going to come out better, regardless of what the clock says. But Goddammit, if you’ve made it this far and that goal is in play, it’s time to lock in. Run the mile you’re in, trust your training, and stay focused. You didn’t come this far to back down now. The finish line is closer than you think. Get moving!
Sixth. Before you know it, the finish line is going to be in your sights. Go! This is the time to pull whatever is left from the tank and empty it. Finish strong. It will happen faster than you think. Just like that, you will cross it and it will be over. What you did was special, whether it was your first race or your 100th. And it was all before lunch!
Seven. Don’t minimize your accomplishments. Savor it! It was a long road to get here, and you are a better runner and human for traveling it. What comes next is anyone’s guess, you can do anything if you can do this! Capture this feeling and the image in your mind and never let it go, because one thing is for sure, the on-course photographer will always capture the ugliest possible picture of you.
At least there is free beer.
Sincerely,
You - Showered, fed, and finished.
It’s almost like Christmas morning for you!