Calming Nerves/Getting Sleep before Race Day?

Everyone responds to tapering differently.

I will do the same thing I always do.  Have a beer or two.  Run.  Probably in reversed order, though.

For a sprint, I usually taper for a day or two or three, not too much, because if I don't do something, I'll go crazy - and it's harder for me to sleep. But, really, don't expect to get much sleep the night before. Before my first tri, I got crazy dreams about being late and being last and them moving the signs and stuff. If you get enough sleep that week leading up to it, that should help. Also, now that I've done a few, I sleep better. It's like first day jitters for anything! I know that doesn't help, but if you're prone to sleeplessness before something big, expect it.

Oh, and it helps my mental state to be all packed the night before. And I think I'll try the beer next time.

I rarely sleep well the night before a race either. Unless it's a race I am dong from home (as opposed to staying in a hotel) I'll go and have a look at the site and usually ride the bike course easily (assuming a sprint race) This year, I have been bringing my wife's bike too. We ride the course at her pace. If I do packet pickup the day before the race, I'll get my sickers/numbers/race belt all together, pack my transition bag (again) and go to dinner. I usually have 2 beers.

I'll sleep fitfully, but a little

I agree that the week leading up to the race is the most important time to be getting your rest.

wurkit_gurl - 2007-07-13 9:22 AM

newLeaf - 2007-07-13 11:09 AM I do something fun and ultimately relaxing with the wife, and I'll leave it at that. 

This is why I hate being single...

Then just get yourself a boyfriend for the night.  Since you already know you will not sleep well the night before the race, make sure to get good sleep the few nights leading up to that.

I can also send you a few engineering books to read, that should help knock you out.  If they don’t, they are heavy enough to hit yourself in the head with.

The night before a race I take a pill called Gaba Calm. Gaba is produced in the brain and stimulates relaxation. I wake up very refreshed and ready to race.

I will rest two days before any race. I will eat alot two days prior to the race and light meals the day before.

My taper consists of intense workouts with lots of rest. For example I will do 10x100 swim in the pool with 2 minutes rest between each 100. I don't really taper a run. I just decrease my mileage for the week.

Once again, Laurn has the answers.

Usually you are getting up early anyway so getting a decent nights sleep wont happen.

I'm about to sit down eat nachos and watch a movie.  Stuff is all packed (I have a very detailed checklist).  Preparing will help.

That's exactly what I do. But even those 2 or 3 nights before can be difficult for me because I'm not a great sleeper. I take a sleeping pill those nights and get 9 or 10 hours. The night before used to mean almost no sleep when I was a crappy swimmer and I was dreading the OW swim. Now that I swim well, I sleep okay.

I am not a good sleeper. The night before a race is usually my worse night's sleep. I haven't found it to be too big of a problem though. The excitement of the day and adrenaline carry me through. I have no troubles sleeping after the race though. Don't worrytoo much about it. Get enough rest leading up to the race, and if the night before the race you don't sleep, at least you've "banked" some good hours until then.

Good luck!

Yeah...what Lauren said. I should have read the thread before responding. Have a great race!