Congratulations! At this point you have already put in a lot of work to get ready for your race. You are now going to be tapering and possibly getting nervous or excited for race day. First of all, I want to congratulate you on training the best that you were able. That is the long hard part, the race can be a celebration of all of that work!
In this last week before the race I have some homework that I give to the athletes I train and I want to share that with you. Most of us sign up to a race for a challenge or with a goal in mind. That idea was probably very motivating for the weeks leading you here. Now that race day is within view its time to really take a hard look at your goals and formalize what you want this race to mean to you. This may even be different then what those goals were when you signed up! Why? Training might have gone better than anticipated, or been swept aside by other aspects of your life. You may have missed a whole week due to sickness or a last minute trip. That is fine. Today you are setting your goals with that full picture in mind.
I urge my athletes to set 3 goals: A, B, and C.
· The A goal is the one that is a stretch – it would take the perfect race day: weather being just right and good sleep the night before. And it probably scares you a little, maybe even enough that you don’t dare admit that this is something you want to try for.
· The B goal is the one that you think is within your reach today based on your training, your taper, and your willingness to push hard.
· The C goal is the one that barring any unforeseen circumstances you think you will walk away with accomplishing on race day.
Often goals are time-based but that isn’t the only metric for success. Try to think of some other ways that a day out on that race course can be a success. Is this your first race of this distance? Finishing is a big deal, regardless of time! Finishing with a smile? What an accomplishment! Finishing feeling physically strong? Amazing! Racing a smart race and sticking to your pacing plan is success. Racing and leaving everything you have out there means doing the best you have for any given day regardless of what the clock says.
Now that you have a set of goals in your pocket to bring to race day, I would love to hear them! I hope these goals carry you to a wonderful finish line and motivate you through the moments when you need a reminder to why you are doing this.
You’ve got this, I can’t wait to see you at the finish line!