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Feel the Fear - Pre Race Nerves

"Have I done enough training? What if I come last? Everyone else looks faster than me!"

Any of these thoughts sound familiar? Despite being a "runner" (I use the term loosely) for just over a year now, I still get these niggling thoughts every time I turn up for an organized run.

I am not a natural runner. I don't have the grace of those whippet-like individuals who stride home in first place. Nor do I have the natural rhythm of those who have been running for a number of years. But at 30 years old, I do feel that I have the right attitude for running. That's to say, I don't really care anymore what people think when they see me puffing and panting my way round a 10k course, red of face and wobbly of leg. For me, finishing the race is an achievement in itself and always leaves me on a high.

So why do I still get so nervous walking up to that start line?

When I entered my first organised run, Race For Life in Regents Park last year, I didn't know what to expect. Arriving early as directed by the organisers, I was taken aback by the sheer number of participants already in the park, the buzzy atmosphere and the whole experience of being part of such a large group of runners. Everyone else seemed just as nervous and excited as I was, but I put this down to the large number of first-timers taking part in this women-only event.

Now I have a few more races under my belt and even though the field is usually much smaller than the 20,000 in my first race, the atmosphere is nearly always just as tense, as participants limber up, stretch out those calves, fill up their water bottles, pin on their race number and generally try to kill time before the gun goes off. That half hour before the race starts is like waiting in the wings to go on stage - you feel as though everything depends on this moment, that you have only one chance to get it right, that the smallest mistake will cost you your next PB.

Having chatted to fellow runners about this phenomenon, I am relieved to hear that I am not alone. From the experienced club runner to the bloke who took up running last month to lose weight, we all feel anxious on the start line. And that fear of "what if I come last" is not yours alone - keep your ears open before a race and you'll hear that phrase whispered a hundred times! Besides, wouldn't it be boring if we all took competitive races in our stride, so to speak?

So I say bring on the fear! It focuses you on the task before you. It gets your adrenaline pumping. And above all, it reminds you why you took up running in the first place - to challenge and better yourself.

I'm dreading my next race - and I can't wait!

by Annie

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