302. Taming Race Day Nerves: How to Channel the Butterflies

You know the feeling. Your heart rate’s already elevated before you’ve even warmed up. Your stomach feels off. You start second-guessing everything—your training, your pacing plan, your breakfast… all of it.Let me start by saying this: nerves are normal. In fact, they’re a sign that you care. The goal today is not to get rid of the nerves, but to learn how to channel them.First, let’s talk about where these nerves come from. Your body’s just doing what it’s designed to do—preparing for a challenge. It’s a mild fight-or-flight response: adrenaline kicks in, your senses are heightened, your body is on alert.But if you don’t know how to frame it mentally, those butterflies can start to spiral. They go from "I'm ready" to "I'm freaking out." So let’s talk about how to shift that energy.One of the most powerful mindset tools you can use is to relabel the nerves as excitement.“I’m not anxious. I’m excited.”They feel almost the same in the body—elevated heart rate, sweaty palms, tension. But one mindset is empowering, the other is paralyzing.So when you feel the nerves kicking in, say to yourself:“This means I’m ready. I’ve trained for this. My body is waking up.”Nerves often come from fear of the unknown—weather, competition, how you’ll feel at mile 20.So pull your mind back to what you can control:Your pacing strategyYour nutrition and hydrationYour attitudeYour breathingEverything else? Let it go.Here are a few tools I give my athletes to stay grounded:Visualization – Close your eyes the night before or morning of and walk through your race. Start to finish. Calm, confident, and strong.Breathwork – Box breathing (inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4) helps regulate your nervous system.Mantras – A few words you can anchor into when your mind starts to spiral. Examples: “Strong and steady.” “I’ve done the work.” “Calm is fast.”Okay, so what if you still panic a little? That’s okay. It doesn’t mean the race is doomed. Most athletes have 1–2 “oh crap” moments pre-race. Let it pass. Come back to your breath. Come back to the plan.Your race isn’t won or lost in the first mile. It’s won by staying present.Race day nerves don’t mean something’s wrong. They mean you’re stepping into something meaningful.You’re pushing your limits. You’re putting yourself out there. You’re doing something most people will never dare to try.So the next time you feel those butterflies? Smile. Say thank you. And get ready to fly.🧠 Why We Get Nervous🎯 Reframe the Nerves💥 Focus on What You Can Control🧘‍♀️ Pre-Race Calm Tools⏱️ What If I Still Freak Out?🏁 Final Thoughts