When Pre-race Neurosis Takes Hold

By Gale Bernhardt
For Active.com

The pre-race neurosis ailment is common among endurance athletes. It typically manifests itself in the days prior to a race, beginning about a week out and building up to the millisecond before the starting gun is sounded.

The first time I wrote about this ailment was in my blog, preceding a mountain bike race. For you triathletes, here is a special customized column.

As defined in Freudian psychology, pre-race neurosis is a psychological disorder or dysfunction resulting from an imbalance of the forces of the id, ego and superego relating to a race situation. It is one of the major categories of emotional maladjustments, classified according to the predominant symptom of a defense mechanism. Anxiety is the chief indicator, although it is worth exploring other telltale signs.

What follows is a list of those telltale signs, examples of each and suggested counter-measures to eliminate or fight off each problem:

Displacement of anxiety to fellow racers:

• "Oh, you're using that for your race nutrition? Hmm...certainly not my choice. Let me know how that works out for you."
• "Your training plan leading up to this event was what? No kidding? If you manage to finish this event, you can tell me how it went."

Counter-measure: If you find the chatter from other racers to be annoying or nerve-wracking, consider minimizing contact with others before the event. If you think someone is having a negative affect on you, replace their disturbing words with positive self-talk.

The imaginary research crutch combined with displacement to others:

• "Research has shown that it is best to ride 50 miles on the race course the day before the race. Certainly you know that, right? You have to check out the course and keep your legs loose, everybody knows that."
• "I read a study that said doing 500 sit-ups every day for six months before a triathlon completely eliminates lower back pain. What? No sit ups for you? Oooh, too bad."

Counter-measure: Surround yourself with people that are calming and have a positive influence. Ignore any research about training directly before the event. There is nothing you can do about pre-race training now. Reassure yourself that your training plan was solid. You can investigate new research after your race.

Retail therapy:

• Racer can be seen making multiple purchases online or at local stores intended for use on race day. In the worst cases, racers ordering online will pay exorbitant amounts for next-day delivery.
• Anxiety acquired from seeing equipment owned and displayed by perceived fast racers will drive purchases by anxious racers at the pre-race expo or at local stores.

Counter-measure: Set a limit on pre-race spending. Unless your new purchase is absolutely necessary for race day, make an agreement with yourself to use new purchases in training before using them in a race.

Meltdowns over small issues:

• Any glitch in the perfectly laid out schedule of said racer can cause a meltdown. This symptom can be seen in family, work or training situations. Something as small as spilled sports drink when tending to pre-race bottles can send the racer into a panicked frenzy.

Counter-measure: Recognize that problems can present themselves from the time you wake up to right through the entire race. See these problems as small puzzles to solve. Successful problem solving is a part of successful training and racing. Repeat this mantra over and over again until you really believe it.

Another idea is to imagine a camera is video taping your behavior. Would you be proud to have your meltdowns viewed by family, friends and coworkers? Count to 10 and think about that tantrum a second time.

Indecision:

• The athlete finds each situation requiring a decision to be made as an impossible puzzle. Trying to decide which restaurant to dine at requires a minimum of four hours of contemplation.
• Swim suit? Tri suit? Swim suit? Tri suit?

Counter-measure: Delegate non-critical decisions to someone you can trust who knows you. Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you are having trouble deciding on something you deem critical for your performance, there must not be a clear No. 1 choice. Pick one and go with it. Once you've made the decision, make changes--or not--at the next race.

Obsessive list making:

• Dozens of "to do" lists are found everywhere the athlete has been. In some cases the lists are made, but never referred to again.

Counter-measure: Keep one list for your race packing. After the race you can make notes or changes to improve it. For items not related to the actual race, keep a single list in one location. As it piles up with items, ask yourself what would happen if this or that item did not get completed until after your race. If the consequences are minimal, that to-do list will still be there when you get home.

Everything but the kitchen sink:

• The athlete takes every item possibly needed for the event, including back-ups for each item. He or she includes items that couldn't possibly be needed for the event--plus back-ups for those as well. All weather possibilities are included. The athlete packs his or her own food and water, not trusting any outside sources. Travel to the race venue includes renting an extra trailer to transport all of the equipment and supplies.

Counter-measure: Look at the weather and minimize your packing list for clothing. If it hasn't rained in a week and the forecast calls for sunny skies, you probably won't need a waterproof jacket. If you just can't part with anything, and you have room for it--take it. Everyone needs a small (or large) security blanket now and then.

Do you have pre-race neurosis? I'd love to read your comments in the section at the end of the column. There is some comfort in knowing that other racers feel the same way you do, so by sharing your "issues" perhaps others will feel comforted.