What's your pre-race ritual?

I make a list of the people I'm going to crush in front of their wives and young children.

As soon as I saw the thread title one word came to mind: dump

And get up early so I can process coffee. Seems like bodily functions are a priority, everything else I can pretty much organize.

OK, so after that 5 seconds is over, then what do you do?

I think we've been over this before:

Ditto on the evacuation. Decaf french roast does it every time.  I try to go for a double evac- one at home and one pre-race at the venue. One cup and home and then one on the way to the race usually gets it done.

Otherwise, I eat a cinnamon raisin bagel with butter, set up transition, do a swim warm up and get to the start where I will then pee in my wetsuit at the beginning of my wave.

Wake up at least an hour before my alarm, panicked that I slept through it (yeah, right). Sleep fitfully for the next half hour until I give up and get out of bed early.

Bathroom (although it's not quite a... production as you guys make it out to be. Maybe it's a guy thing?), take the dogs out, light breakfast, tea and waterwaterwater.

Re-check everything for the millionth time. Wake husband. Load up the car. Panic that I've left too late. Panic that I forgot something and re-check my bag AGAIN. Worry about traffic, even though it's 5 a.m. Worry that they'll close transition before I get there.

Show up in plenty of time, set up, re-arrange everything, re-arrange everything again. Eat a banana. Pace nervously, Body Glide and wetsuit. More nervous pacing and pep talking continues until the race start.

It's not a production, as much as it is a multi-stage event.

(I'm not a guy, though)

My friend (also a triathlete) and I always have a bet on race day on the over/under # of nervous pre-race poops.  He holds the record with 4.

Breakfast is always a bagel with PB&J.  It has never turned on me so I stick with it.

Don't talk much. Don't let people touch you. Wear the same pre-race clothes except maybe hat. Never wear white sunglasses before a race.

Coffee. Red Bull. Always. Walk the transition area. Always tell other athletes to have a good race, but never "good luck".

Remember: Do what you do.

Oh yeah, forgot about this. I'm the idiot counting racks out loud to herself, muttering, "Turn left at the trash can..."

^^^ This.  Been doing it ever since high school competitions (swimming).  Not necessarily Thunderstruck (although that would definitely work!), but find some music to really get the system set right and go tear it up!

Wow.....interesting ritual.

Why not? 

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