This weekend a friend of mine (Kim) and I are going to run in Fargo's 5k Jingle Bell Run. We are going to use this race as a fun short 'training' run. Now I know when Kim reads this blog she will be laughing due to the fact that I am speaking ironically. Kim and I both consider ourselves distance runners, have participated in multiple full marathons and half marathons, yet, have a GINORMOUS fear of the dreaded 5K.
Feeling a little nervous before a race is a good thing! ...but dreading a race? My answer, lacking confidence and fear of the discomfort to come. The Cure ( ...and not the music rock group), TRAINING. Train correctly, include runs both of distance and intensity or speed workouts. Intense training runs or speed workouts is one of the best ways to improve fitness and running performance. An intense training run should make you feel tired and exhilarated NOT "spent". Have confidence in your training and it will improve your race confidence. Racing more frequently will improve your confidence and help teach you to deal with prerace jitters. Now, grab that friend who shares your fear and RUN, RUN, RUN!
Quote - "You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do." - Eleanor Roosevelt
