You've trained wisely and eaten well - but you just can't shake those pre-race nerves. So how can you work on mental preparation? To find out, I teamed up with researchers from Sheffield, Oxford, Manchester, Reading and Wolverhampton universities
performances. Is there anything I can do to calm down?A A certain amount of pre-race nerves is natural. Its tied in with the bodys fight or flight instinct when confronted with danger. You should be able to tap into this system to psych yourself up
their experience of pre-competition stress. He says, "The world's best athletes set lots of different goals – if you go into a race with 15 goals, then you're sure to achieve at least some of them.' Set a variety of goals to make sure you come away happy. You could
?" – HelenlizYour best answersOver-the-counter remedies can ease the physical symptoms It’s nice to know I am not the only one who suffers with pre-race nerves. I too have to go to the toilet several times before a race, which has the tendency to leave me hungry
is to top up your liver glycogen stores at breakfast, as liver glycogen is depleted overnight.Eat Two Hours Before Racing Eating a carbohydrate-rich pre-event meal means that you will start exercise fully fuelled. Avoid Fry-Ups Dodge anything high in fat
you've won one thing people expect you to go on winning. They think you've got it cracked, but you haven't," she admits. Pre-race nerves So how does she beat anxiety? "I normally get nervous before the whole event starts, so I get my headphones on
Getty ImagesIf you’re one of the 50,000 runners gearing up to pound the streets of Newcastle on September 20 then this page is just for you! From the perfect two-week taper to nipping race-morning nerves in the bud, trouble-free transport
Taylor. Eating your pre-workout or pre-race meal a few hours before is also key to keeping symptoms at bay. "A high concentration or volume in the gut slows down gastric emptying, meaning you will not only feel sick but the fuel and fluids consumed
you to go on winning. They think you've got it cracked, but you haven't," she admits. Pre-race nerves So how does she beat anxiety? "I normally get nervous before the whole event starts, so I get my headphones on, zone out and visualise every stage
late and had to jog five minutes to the start, then set off about 30 seconds later – and it made a huge positive difference to my nerves, initial pacing, heart rate and also energy levels. I'm now a convert to the pre-race warm up! – Treacle Tart
