Fingers Crossed!

 

This morning I was thinking about an upcoming race, and I was reminded of my infamous “race day rituals.”

Ahh, the race day ritual. Those twitchy little superstitious habits in which we engage in anticipation of the starting line.

Society has its rituals. And the running community is no different. In fact, I’m certain that the best professional athletes have them. I’m sure I’ve heard NFL players share their game day superstitions. And I, for one, have seen runners do all sorts of crazy things on race day.

I know some runners who request specific bib numbers, or demand bib numbers that end in odd or even numbers. I have heard that fights break out over specific numbers. Some runners eat a very specific breakfast on race day. Lay their race outfit out the night before. Wear a lucky bandana or a coin in their shoe (although that sounds awfully painful for 26 miles...) A more common ritual is to create a race day playlist on the iPod. Some people meditate. Pray. I’ve even seen a man doing jumping jacks at the starting line. Says he started doing it 20 years ago and it went so well, he's done it ever since.

Whatever it takes to get in the zone, man.

Mine? In the interest of sharing with the running community that shares it all (and I do mean, all) my worst race day habit has got to be running to the ladies room multiple times before the shotgun start. I'm sure it's the nerves. It is a habit which I became accustomed to during my ballet recitals as a little girl and a habit I have tried to break in the running world, as jetting off to the port-a-pottie every 5 minutes really defeats the purpose of getting that good spot at the starting line.

I also try to wear the same outfit on race day that I have worn to prior races. While it’s no guarantee, I figure that past success is a great indicator of future performance. (If it fits and doesn't chafe, it's a winner.) I also write or apply iron-on lettering the night before to my race day shirts to send a message (especially when running for the Troops). 

I have one other odd little habit – repeatedly tying and untying my shoes. I'm sure this started as a mere safety precaution, but it has now gone to the extreme. To make matters worse, since I double-knot my laces for safety it takes me twice as long to tie and untie them. I have no idea what this habit indicates. Probably that I was an axe murderer in a former life.

But enough about my quirks. I want to hear from you.

I’m curious: What are your race day rituals? What do you absolutely, positively, have to do in order to ensure a good race? Share it here, or Tweet it!