Race Day Emotions

Bridlington 5 miler back in 2015

When you have a race coming up, are you full on 100% the same emotion? Excitement, dread, fear, trepidation, confident?

Many of us go through waves and waves of changing emotion and that is pretty normal.

You can be excited to be part of the day, the travel there, the mixing with others, the feeling of hope and looking forward to the challenge.

Then there may be the feelings of not wanting to do it! Feelings such as ‘not feeling on it’ or just wanting to get it done, they are common too.

Afterwards you may be full of relief, pride, or just glad it’s out of the way, but you’ve still done it. You’ve still achieved. You’ve done it.

Emotions are strange things and it’s interesting to recognise where we are at with them and to see what’s real and deep felt, and which one is a wave that will wash over soon.

I’m currently looking forward to race day tomorrow. I’m not looking forward to the run itself but I’m going to make the most of being there and being a part of the event. I’m looking forward to being with good friends and everyone wanting everyone else to do well. That positivity is heart-warming. That life affirming feeling can lift you for longer than the part where you’re not as keen on the prospect of running!

Taking time to appreciate the day itself, the people, the opportunity, and the achievement and accomplishments - these are the factors that feed into fully enjoying yourself no matter how fast or not so fast you run.

Let’s go and have some fun!