Race week is wild. One minute you’re pumped up on good vibes and taper legs, the next you’re wondering if you packed enough socks, read the race packet wrong, or forgot how to run altogether (totally normal, by the way).
Here’s what I’ve learned: Race day is an emotional roller coaster—and that’s part of the magic.
· Nerves? Oh yeah.
You think about everything that could go wrong—injuries, GI issues, your playlist not working, your shorts doing something weird at mile 3. Welcome to the race brain spiral.
· Excitement? Absolutely.
Maybe it’s your first time at this distance. Maybe you’ve got an awesome race buddy. Maybe you’re just really pumped for the band at mile 6. The crowd, the energy, the start line buzz—electric.
· Confusion? Constantly.
You read the race guide 17 times, and somehow you still don’t know where the bag check is. Or which side has the porta-potties. Or why you packed so many snacks.
But then… the gun goes off.
And in the middle of all the chaos, you find that moment of inner peace. You settle in. You run your race. You remember why you’re here—to test yourself, to push, to find that extra gear buried under the nerves and the noise.
You dig deep. You power forward. And somehow, you’re even having fun.
Race day is never just about the finish line—it’s about how you show up, what you overcome, and the mindset you bring to the miles.
You make the race what you want it to be.
So show up. Go big. And don’t forget—you trained for this storm.