There is a lot of information out there about training for your next race – what workouts to run, how many days a week to train, and how much mileage you should run every week. One of the most important aspects of racing well is the mental side of running. Being mentally prepared to run a race is much different than lacing up your shoes to head out for a daily distance run.

Racing takes mental stamina, focus, and courage. After all, the point of a race is to test your body and see how hard you can push it. If your head is not in the game – if you don’t get to the starting line ready to perform – then your time will suffer. You may not get that personal best you were aiming for, reach your Boston Marathon qualifier, or be as competitive as you were hoping for in your age group.

Mentally preparing yourself to race fast is a must. Some runners get inspiration from quotes about running, others try visualization, and yet another is to determine your pre-race personality. What do you prefer to do during the hour before the gun goes off? This can give you clues to how to better structure this time for your next race.