Maurten Q&A | Race Routines

1. What is your morning routine on the day of the race? 

My morning routine the day of the race is to take deep breaths as soon as my alarm goes off and say my positive mantras: today is the day I will grind. I say good morning to my love and pups with some quick kisses and cuddles. I then get ready in my kit. While I get ready, I create the mental space to zone in on my goals for the day and visualize: today is the day I will grind. Next is my morning nutrition and hydration routine ensuring I intake my Maurten DrinkMix, electrolyes, and mini breakfast that may consist of bagel with PB and walnuts or a Maurten solid if I’m on the go. 

I do one last minute check that I have all my gear, nutrition, and hydration and aim to head out early to my race start. Once I arrive, I aim to keep my mind calm with my positive mantras, my deep breaths, and aim to focus somewhere quiet that I can find before it is GO time. With moments to go to the start, I run through my nutrition / hydration strategies and mental check again before I begin a mobility / warm-up routine. One last deep inhale / exhale and I’m off at the gun. 

 

2. What is one personal thing you always do before the race? 

I always give thanks for arriving to the start line of a race. There are many times when we are unsure if we are prepared, if we will make it to the start line healthy, or when life happens that may need to take priority. By starting with an attitude of gratitude, I am able to feel at peace for the moment and find joy and value in: yes, I am here and grateful that I get to do this. 

3. What is your routine before going to sleep the night before the race?  

I visualize. For me, every race is a gift and the outcome is never guaranteed. I often am told that: you will do great. I always appreciate the confidence; however, I also respect that anything can happen. Therefore, my goal is to aim to control the controllables and aim to navigate through the challenges that may arise. 

The night before my race, I aim to have my dinner early in a calm setting, which usually means takeout or home cooked. I have found if I dine out the night before a goal race, it adds distraction and nerves to my center. After dinner, I aim to watch an inspirational movie or clip to help refocus my energy into what I want to achieve at my race. I write in my journal, review my splits, and visualize the energy and reasons why I am doing this. I allow myself to fall asleep with those thoughts in my mind and when my alarm goes off in the morning, I say: today is the day.