My most recent half marathon did not go as I planned.  While I think there were some external factors that played a role (humidity, hills, too much time off from training), I'm beginning to realize that some of the problem was anxiety. Despite running  2 marathons, 36 half marathons, a handful of 10 milers, and a random assortment of other race distances in the last 7 years, I still don't sleep the night before a race.  It doesn't matter whether it's a marathon or a 5K, I'll be tossing and turning all night. Add in any sort of goal related to the race and I walk around with my stomach clenched for 24 hours or more before the race. Race anxiety. It's real. I've had to learn how to deal with anxiety before a race. And I'm convinced … [Read more...]