Many runners enjoy competing so much that they perhaps are not often as well prepared as they might be. Here we are speaking about tapering and gathering together all the various aspects which will ensure you race to the best of your ability and current state of fitness.
Here are some issues which you may wish to ensure are in place to get that personal best:
• Am I un-injured? • Am I fresh enough? • Have I done enough and appropriate training? • Am I at my ideal weight? • Do I know the ideal warm up for myself? • Have I worked out my itinerary to get to the race in good time? • Have I had enough sleep in the lead up to the race. • Is my kit just right? I must take with me the appropriate shoes etc for all conditions • Is my mind-set 100%? Have I wiped out any negative thoughts in my approach to the race?
During the race you must adopt total concentration to ensure that you don’t start too fast and don’t go with passing runners who may disrupt your even pace.
However at a pre-determined distance or time from the finish line you should “go for it”. It may be 3 minutes out in a 10k or 5 minutes out in a half marathon. Very few runners adopt this game plan and you should be able to get to the line before your near rivals.
Plan your way to a faster time!