How to Deal With Pre-Race Jitters and Performance Anxiety
Wednesday July 23, 2008
No matter how many races I run, I still get that "stomach-in-knots" feeling before every race. Almost every runner experiences pre-race jitters or performance anxiety at some point. And it usually doesn't go away as you become a more experienced runner. I find that the more races I do, the more pressure I put on myself.
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Do you usually suffer from pre-race jitters? Follow these tips to successfully manage your race performance anxiety and use that pre-race nervousness to your advantage.
BREATHE!
Deep breathing before a competition is very effective at bringing yourself into the NOW and not worrying anything else.
VISUALIZATION is also helpful. Close your eyes and see yourself performing your run absolutely flawlessly. Remember, your brain can’t tell the difference between something you vividly imagine and something you actually experience. So the more your imagination can feel real, your body will follow.
Visit http://www.myTreadmillTrainer.com for more motivation and performance-enhancing running programs.
Yuri