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Click to view yota_96's profile Amateur
yota_96
17 posts since
Oct 18, 2007

Nov 8, 2007 12:50 PM

Half Marathon on Sunday - Butterflies

So, Sunday is my second half marathon. I am running the Big Sur 1/2 in Monterey. I am very excited. Logically I know I have to be ready. I have put in the miles and all in all have felt pretty good doing it. Why is it then that the butterflies and doubt always creep in? In my mind I think, "I need more time, more training". Meanwhile, my stomach is doing flip flops every time I think of the actual run. So my question is, do you still get butterflies before each race or do you hit a point when it is no big deal?
Click to view JimR022's profile Legend
JimR022
1,008 posts since
Jan 16, 2002
1. Nov 8, 2007 12:58 PM in response to: yota_96
I've never gotten used to it. I still get nervous right up till the gun goes off.
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Click to view mrinertia's profile Legend
mrinertia
1,356 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
2. Nov 8, 2007 1:33 PM in response to: yota_96
Two weeks ago I ran a 5k. I was coming off of an illness and still recouping from a tough HM the previous week so I wasn't expecting a PR. I still got butterflies.
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Click to view wetfeetl33t's profile Pro
wetfeetl33t
91 posts since
Sep 10, 2006
3. Nov 8, 2007 3:25 PM in response to: yota_96
Being nervous is a natural part of getting mentally ready. It means you are well prepared. Ask any sport psychologist and that's pretty much what they'll tell you.

Think about having a good time, not about being under prepared.
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Click to view Gaelic_Tempest's profile Amateur
Gaelic_Tempest
31 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
4. Nov 8, 2007 3:59 PM in response to: yota_96
yota96, you are gonna kick some butt!

Being nervous is normal and natural. Once the gun goes off, your body will know what to do - and you just may have a lot of fun once you're out there!
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Click to view HMhopeful's profile Expert
HMhopeful
40 posts since
Dec 11, 2007
5. Nov 8, 2007 4:47 PM in response to: yota_96
If you care about anything its natural that you'll feel nervous. If you have not put in the effort, then it doesn't really matter how you perform, and will usually not have the butterflies, but since you have prepared the best you can, there is nothing more to do than worry about the actual event.

I take being nervous as as sign that I'm going to do just fine on a race/exam whatever. Enjoy the race.
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Click to view RunAsics's profile Legend
RunAsics
279 posts since
Dec 11, 2007
6. Nov 8, 2007 5:05 PM in response to: yota_96
quote:<HR>Originally posted by yota96:
So, Sunday is my second half marathon. I am running the Big Sur 1/2 in Monterey. I am very excited. Logically I know I have to be ready. I have put in the miles and all in all have felt pretty good doing it. Why is it then that the butterflies and doubt always creep in? In my mind I think, "I need more time, more training". Meanwhile, my stomach is doing flip flops every time I think of the actual run. So my question is, do you still get butterflies before each race or do you hit a point when it is no big deal?<HR>


Ditto JimR. It drives DW crazy on race morning. If you know you have put in the right level of training then don't worry, you'll have a great race.

The trick is to not do anything stupid just before the race, e.g. visit Taco Bell / KFC the night before, which will cause stomach flip-flops for a whole different reason.
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Click to view shertz's profile Pro
shertz
79 posts since
Nov 4, 2007
7. Nov 8, 2007 7:33 PM in response to: yota_96
GaelicTempest got it right. Once the gun starts, all those butterflies go out the window. I actually hate the hour before the race because I just want to get started. Most important, just talk with others and have fun. Good luck.
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Click to view lethalracegal's profile Amateur
lethalracegal
27 posts since
Nov 10, 2005
8. Nov 8, 2007 10:38 PM in response to: yota_96
I had butterflies during this race a couple of years back. It did go away after a quarter mile as I was warming up and muttering, "what am I doing here?" It's a fun race and very scenic. Support is excellent and it is well organized.

Have a great race!
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Click to view Jim Sullivan032's profile Community Moderator
Jim Sullivan032
516 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
9. Dec 26, 2007 7:22 AM in response to: yota_96
Butterflies before a race are quite common, and really not a problem. Most people can run quite well despite them.

The only suggestion I'd make, as you're most likely going to have them until you get moving, is to do a very, very short warmup before the race. This won't make any noticeable difference in your performance, as it's not a distance where you need to take off at full speed, but it might just settle you down a bit before the start.

http://This message has been edited by Jim Sullivan (edited Nov-09-2007).
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