Today I am 3 weeks out from my first triathlon race of this season. I am feeling pretty good right now about how I envision things might play out however, I have the tendency to get super anxious as I approach race day. Taking a cue from my blogger friend, Madhuri, I am going to write a Race Day Letter To Myself. My hope is to take the confidence I have today and pass it along to my race day self.
Race Day Letter To Myself
5 things I’d like to remind myself of on race day:
You have trained much smarter this spring by sticking to your race plan. You took that word of the year you chose, “Focus”, and put it into action. You devised a training plan and stuck to it. You went to sleep early on weekends and got up early to get your workouts in. You fine tuned your diet and found what really works for you.
You have gotten so much stronger on the bike by really stepping out of your comfort zone and riding with faster cyclists. Remember how hard that ride was the first time you did it and how much easier it feels just a few weeks later? That route you have been doing the past few weeks is way harder than the route today. You are going to crush it.
You have become so much more confident pushing yourself in swim class. Your race day swim is going to feel like a cake walk today.
You have learned that “you can do hard things” if you just let yourself. Be proud of the hard work you have put into your training and the progress you have made.
You finally came up with a mantra! “Don’t stop when you’re tired, stop when you’re done”. Use it when you need a push on those hills. Nothing to be nervous about at all! See you at the finish.
What would you want to tell yourself to remember on race day? Ever write a race day letter to yourself?
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This seems like a great idea, Deb! I remember when we were in primary school, we used to write letters to ‘older me’. It was so fun! 🙂
Yes I do remember doing that as well wish I still had them!
This is a great idea! I love your mantra. Ive never written a race day letter to myself but I think its a great way to help calm your nerves and remind you of all the hard work you’ve put in.
I am really hoping it works for me this season. I get so nervous
Everyone should have a race day letter to themselves! That is why I wrote the Letter to First time Full or Half Marathoners (but it applies each time, really). We are all going to have nerves, we all need to remember that WE CAN DO THIS
Why do we do it to ourselves!?!?
What a great idea – I love this! I think that sometimes we get so caught up in the training and making sure we hit our workouts, that we don’t take time to look back and reflect on the journey.
Exactly yes!
I think I”ll be reading this multiple times over the next 2 months! I’m going to need a push like no other.
If anyone is mentally strong it’s you!! I do think we could all use to remember and appreciate the journey that brought us to the start line.
I’ve never done this but it sound like a great idea. You’ve put in the training and it’s great to remind yourself why you should be confident.
I agree! Now if I can just channel that on race day and not be so nervous
You’ve trained hard and you’re going to rock it Deborah! Congrats on staying so focused on your training!
I am really hoping it pays off this year thanks!
Great letter & I love your mantra!
I’m a little nervous about my next half — it’s a trail race & I’ve never done a trail race at all. But I’m also considering it a training run rather than a goal race — or at least, that’s the theory.
I tend to get more excited than nervous.
Yes I tend to work myself up about those types of things as well. It’s hard not to sometimes
What a great way to inspire yourself! Sounds like you’ve nailed your training and you’ve got this!
Well I hope I am a little less nervous!
The letter is a great idea! I hope you can use it to carry the confidence through the race 🙂 You’ve worked hard this year and it should pay off.
Thanks so much! I hope so
Great letter! I would just say, trust your training. You did all you could do up until race day, now put your hard work to practice!
Yes! Easier said than done sometimes
What a wonderful letter! Your training looks like it’s been solid. You’ve got this, mama!
Thanks so much I hope so
It is such a smart idea. I thinks it’s good way to inspire yourself. You’re doing great so just believe in your training. Hope you will achieve the goals.
Yes you have to believe that you can
I’d tell myself to do it because the post relief is such a wonderful feeling!!
It definitely is!
i’d tell myself that you have done your best and now its time to have fun…good luck 🙂
Thanks so much!
Good luck! You’ve done the training, and the race is supposed to be fun.
Yes it is!
You’ve got this! I like the idea and whatever you need to calm your nerves and get your head there mentally because it’s just as much mental as it is physical.
For me it is so mental! Trying to get my arms around that
I would never have thought of doing this and I think it is such a terrific and worthwhile idea. I hope it brings you confidence and a smile when you read it again on your own race day!
Thanks so much Elle I hope so too
This is beautiful!!!!! YOU said everything I’d say (well….skip the pep talk about swimming, cuz that’s a mute point with me LOL). YOU have really been disciplined this spring (and through the winter). Whenever I have doubts, I try to remember to trust the training, and have faith that I have done the work. I’m excited for you!!
Thanks so much friend 🙂
These are great tips! I love your mantra. It reminds me of one I used during the Fondo last year – “whatever it takes”. You will be awesome!
this is a great idea! Sometimes we just need t reminded that we have trained, we are awesome, and we are ready! 🙂
Love the mantra!! So great to read others inner thoughts!!
thanks it’s working for me so far
Such a great idea! It can be so hard to just trust your training sometimes.
It really is isn’t it?!
That is a BRILLIANT idea! I will have to try this when I am racing again!
I know you are going to rock your race! You have trained so well!
Thanks so much Esther
The letter to yourself is a great idea! I think writing really helps you figure out what you’re thinking and what you need to hear.
Yes I agree and I hope writing it now will help me on race days going forward
I’ve never written a race day letter to myself but I love the idea.
Thanks Jill hope it helps me out
This is awesome!! It gives you something to really think about when you are racing!
Yes I hope so!
I would remind myself that I have done the work so now I need to trust the training. I would remind myself to relax and to remember to breathe. I may need to do this before marathon Monday!!!
It’s so hard for me to remember to breathe! Good luck next week
Oh, I love this so much! And now that the race is over and your did so well, you can sit back and relax… until you start focusing on your next event.
I have a letter to my 16-year old self planned as part one of my skin cancer posts this month (and you know how I love my annual birthday letter). 🙂
I do love your letters to yourself! There are so many things I wish I could tell my younger self