Have you ever dreamt that you slept through your alarm before a race? Or dreamt that you took the wrong shoes (or two shoes from different pairs)? Or woken up with your heart racing because you forgot where your race was?
No?
Are you sure you are a runner? I only ask because it seems like every runner I know has an anxiety dream at one point or another, which is why today’s topic is “race dreams”. Patty, Marcia, and I want to hear about yours.
I, of course, no longer have crazy dreams the night before a race. Unfortunately, the only reason I don’t have those dreams the night before a race is because I don’t sleep. I’ve completely lost the ability to relax and catch some z’s. Sigh. Sometimes I don’t even try to sleep – I just relax with a good book and hope I doze at least a little bit.
But I did have a bizarre race dream not that long ago. Apparently I was going to run a marathon and when I showed up at the start, I was the only runner. But that was ok, because it wasn’t a timed event. It was an urban survival event. I had to run through buildings and climb a tree house? and go through trap doors, all while gathering these random notes that were everywhere. But it had to be precisely marathon distance, so I had to be careful not to miss a turn. It was like an OCR meets scavenger hunt meets inner city. I woke up in a near panic because I couldn’t figure out one of the turns and was convinced I’d never get home.
Yeah, that was one weird race dream. Have you had any bizarre ones or just the usual anxiety dreams?
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Sounds like quite the adventure! I’d be tired just waking up from that one.
Marcia recently posted…I had a dream. A weird one.
I’m pretty much always tired, so that was nothing new…
When I was younger, I used to have some night terrors. I guess I’m more confident now, because I no longer do (thank God!).
I’ve never had an anxiety dream about a race, not even when I was injured and worried. Or at least not one I remember! I probably have & just can’t remember them.
I would’ve failed your dream for sure.
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…Last Run Albany 12/19/15
Night terrors are awful. Glad you don’t have anxiety dreams.
YES to all of the above. I don’t remember any specific running-related dreams, though I have had that “being chased” dream a time or two (though I never ever actually see WHO it is that I’m running from). I also have race anxiety…and not for the race, but for the dramatics in getting there. I seldom get more than 3-4 hours of sleep the night before a big race…#thepainisreal
Kim Hatting recently posted…Running on Vacay in Cali
*knock wood* I’ve never dreamt of being chased. And yes, I don’t worry about races – it’s all about getting to the start line.
Wow, that is a weird dream! I think that one would freak me out too. I also having trouble sleeping before a race, mainly because I worry about getting up with enough time to get there. We runners are a crazy bunch!
Jenn @ RunWithSole recently posted…Running Dreams
Oh, yeah. Even if the race is right down the street, I worry about something going wrong and not getting there.
I hate any kind of anxiety dream. I’ve had ones that I’m late for work but can’t get out the door, no matter how much I want to. The race dreams aren’t that bad, but I still wake up feeling so not rested and in need of more sleep.
Lesley recently posted…Race Dreams
I always wake up and need more sleep, especially on race day. I just stay up too late most nights and on race nights I don’t sleep much.
About a year and a half ago, I had a dream that my parents were supposed to drop me off at the start line of a race, but they got it all mixed up and were late. I was so mad, and I woke up mad! The weird part is that they live across the country from me and until this past October had never been to any of my races!
Oh yeah, I totally bring emotions out of dreams and still feel them after. How long did it take you to stop being mad?
I typically don’t remember my dreams. The only ones I remember are really freaky ones and not running related.
Your one about the obstacle/adventure one is definitely weird though! I’d get lost in a second if I had to navigate anywhere during a race- I’m directionally challenged.
Yeah, directions are not my strong suit either – which was one of my big worries with Ragnar.
My running nightmare was vicious in high school, and has come back as I returned to running 20 years later. I’m in the middle of a race, and suddenly can no longer run. Literally, can’t move forward. I have to grab ropes (they are always lining the race in my dream) and pull myself along as scores of runners pass me. It’s terrifying.
Ooh, that one would totally freak me out.
I’ve had lots of the usual anxiety dreams, especially about oversleeping. None of that makes it any easier to actually get to sleep on race day. 🙂 Thank goodness that night right before the race doesn’t count as much for race performance, right?
Jessica S recently posted…TotR: Running Dreams and considering the step up to the marathon
I have to believe that because I never sleep the night before.
A race without other runners?! That sounds amazing! Except the part when you woke up in a panic… 🙂
Rachel recently posted…Training Recap: Back in the Injury Zone
Ha, I like other runners. Most of the time anyways.
I have race anxiety dreams all the time! Many of them involve being late for the race. I did have one where I was supposed to race Ironman, but the swim was moved the a hotel pool that was so short you could push off the wall and hit the other side of the pool. That would have been a terrible pool to swim for so long in!
Leana recently posted…Moving Past Failure
Hey, I could do that kind of swim LOL!
I don’t have weird race dreams…I usually don’t sleep well the night before a race. But I’ve had some weird running dreams…
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Loving/Not Loving/Winning
Really? I don’t really dream about running unless it’s related to a race LOL.
Yes I have had weird race dreams but they’re usually vague and are about something going wrong. Mostly they happen before marathons. Your uban survival event sounds crazy and kind of hilarious!
Yeah, it was a bizarre one. I used to have the “things going wrong dreams”, but now I just don’t sleep the night before.
oh oh oh back when I competed in bodybuilding the panicked dreams were hilarious…the next morning anyway 🙂
Id totally forgotten about all those!
CARLA recently posted…Be a Shamash.
Ha!
I’m new to your blog, but I love what I’m reading and seeing so far! I’m looking forward to reading through some of your archives.
My last bizarre running dream was a few months back. I dreamt that I was running a marathon, but a few miles in the course turned into a bleak, desolate wasteland. There were no aid stops, but the course finally went by a coffee shop, and the people there were letting us use their restrooms and get water but we could only have these tiny, triangular cups. It was super weird!
Ray recently posted…Scenes From the First Run of 2016
It’s so funny to read the games our minds play.