The first step is to mentally prepare oneself for a race. Racing takes a lot of mental strength because it is not the easiest sport. The body at times will want to give up and giving in to that thought will negatively affect an individual’s performance. To prepare for this kind of sport, it is best to take deep breaths and take a positive approach about the race instead of thinking negatives. Another option would be to communicate your thoughts or feelings to either a teammate or a coach so that they can reassure that everything is ok and that you prepared to run.
The second step is to warm up for the race. Cross country can take a tole on one’s body because of how much it demands physically, so it’s important to warm up the muscles to help prevent injuries. Warming up can also help a person feel out if they have any aches or pains that they want to …show more content…
This includes racing bib, spikes, jersey, shorts and any other accessories such as compression tights. It is also very important to go to the bathroom before the race to ensure that you don’t have to go during the race, which can affect your overall performance. After using the restroom, head on out to the starting line for some quick sprints and stretches to keep your legs from getting stiff. It is important to make sure both shoes are tied tight because stopping to tie them in a race can cause you to get a slower time. Once shoes are tied, line up and get ready to