• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • about
  • Pug Partners
  • contact/pr
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Goodreads
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Threads
    • TikTok

Runs With Pugs

ok, the pugs don't run, but we do

  • race reports
  • Travel
  • Recipes
  • Link Ups
  • instagram Landing Page

The Latest

Time To Take A Breath

Friday The 13th: Unlucky Running Edition

Our Top Tips For Summer Racing + Running

You are here: Home / Uncategorized / things that stress me out on race day

things that stress me out on race day

August 24, 2022      4 Comments

The list of things that stress me out on race day is pretty long. Anxiety is my middle name, so even when I’m supposed to be having fun, there are several worries that get right in my head.

Parking

If you have ever jumped in my car for a ride to a race, you are aware that I leave EARLY. I leave with a plan to arrive the minute race morning registration opens. This is especially true when I am unfamiliar with a race or I know a race has limited or awkward parking. I have actually arrived at races early enough to take a nap in the car. Ridiculous? Absolutely. But the fear of missing the start because I can’t find decent parking is a real one, and I’d rather be safe than sorry.

Pre-Race Potty Timing

There are few greater terrors than heading into a distance running event with anxiety and a missing gallbladder. I try to time my portapotty visits appropriately, and work hard to ensure that I don’t eat or drink anything that will upset my GI functions before I start running. I have no problems using the portapotties, but sometimes timing with other runners can be tricky. Bathroom is always on the back of my mind on race day.

Crowds

After the events of the last few years, I still get stressed out in crowds. To be honest, I don’t know that it will ever go away for me. I still try to show up, be present, and not let it get to me, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t edgy until after the race starts and people start spreading out.

Rolling My Ankle

This one is a no-brainer. So many races here don’t have curbs, and it’s easy just to roll an ankle on the easement. Even though said ankle is practically bionic, it hurts like heck when I sidestep, and it definitely messes with my head when it happens. I keep to the side because of the crowds and because I run-walk, so my roll risk is definitely higher.

Not Getting A Medal

Yes, I’m a medal-whore. Sometimes, we have races where only the first 100 people will get a medal, or the race will run out because they didn’t plan appropriately. I don’t know why, but it stresses me out to not make the cut. I was injured and power walked 9.3 miles like a bat out of hell in order to get my hands on this medal before they ran out. At the finish line, I remember being so absurdly relieved, but I couldn’t explain why it should matter so much. That same race gives out hats to the top 10% of runners, and it doesn’t bother me to miss out on that, but I also don’t want to walk away empty handed because I wasn’t fast enough.

Heel-To-Butt Stretches

These are another favorites. With your feet hip-width apart, balanced on one leg and lift the other leg behind you. Grasp your foot with your hand and gently draw your heel as close to your booty as is comfortable. Relax and repeat, five times on each side, being sure not to strain your knee.

Join the Runner’s Roundup!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 118360396_761035968043242_5720693199736450445_n-1024x1024.jpg

Grab our graphic and share the love!

What stresses you out on race day?

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Wendy says

    August 24, 2022 at 5:05 pm

    The two things that stress me out on race day are what goes in (fueling) and what comes out (bathroom issues). I don’t worry about anything else. I think that’s enough!!!
    Wendy recently posted…Recap: Camp Run HappyMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Jenny says

    August 24, 2022 at 9:03 pm

    I agree with Wendy- bathroom issues are my main worry. I definitely arrive early to be able to avoid traffic and find parking, so I’ve never had to worry about that. I can see why you would worry about the ankle (given your history). I’ve definitely rolled my ankle while trying to get around other runners.

    Reply
  3. Lisa @ Mile by Mile says

    August 26, 2022 at 8:17 am

    Usually if I am running a race I have never done before then anything about the logistics stresses me out. Its helpful when there is alot of info online so I can plan everything out before race morning.

    Reply
  4. Deborah Brooks says

    August 26, 2022 at 12:41 pm

    The porta potty lines are always longer than expected and I have missed my start wave a few times bc of it. I would rather wait and not have to worry!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Well, Hello There

bio
Welcome to Runs With Pugs. My name is Jenn and this is the story of my love affair with running and finding myself through fitness. From C25K to marathon, from triathlon to SUP, from broken leg to the recovery journey... I'm sharing it all. I'm a wife and mother of one, living in NE Florida, in love with travel, adventure, and food. Oh. We have a grumble of pugs, too. Thank you for joining us! We're glad to have you along for the ride!

Let’s Connect!

Follow on Bloglovin


Partners

Click here for FREE SHIPPING
Save With Code RUNSWITHPUGS

Pugs Run 50 States

Search Posts

Recent Posts

  • Time To Take A Breath
  • Friday The 13th: Unlucky Running Edition
  • Our Top Tips For Summer Racing + Running
  • It’s Crunch Time!
  • Ultimate Coffee Date: Let’s Enjoy June Coffee

Currently Reading

Jennifer's books

The Other Mrs.
The Skylark's Secret
Holly
Queen of Shadows
Archer's Voice
Heir of Fire
The Assassin's Blade
Lore Olympus: Volume One
By Any Other Name
Out There Screaming
Crown of Midnight
Throne of Glass
How to Kill Men and Get Away with It
Verity
Wrong Place Wrong Time
A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan's Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them
Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World
The Girl in the Leaves
The Pale-Faced Lie
Yellowface


Jennifer PugRunner's favorite books »

Archives

Footer

disclaimer

I am not a doctor or medical professional, nor do I play one on the internet. This blog reflects my personal experiences on my own fitness and running journey, and the processes that work for me. Before you begin any exercise regiment, please consult your physician.
Team Bears Bocce Battlestar Galactica made it to t Team Bears Bocce Battlestar Galactica made it to the third round of the 2nd Annual Bocce Fest, benefitting @stronglikesteve!

This is always such a great community event, centered around an incredibly inclusive event and with proceeds going to provide awareness, community outreach, education, advocacy and funding for organizations and individuals caring for adults with intellectual and developmental differences.

Founder @steph_sanalila does such a wonderful job with this event, making a fun environment for players, creating volunteer opportunities for local students and honoring the memory of her brother.

Visit https://www.stronglikestevefoundation.org/about for more info on how you can help!

#boccefest #bearsboccebattlestargalactica #worldgolfvillage #worldgolfliving #bocce #stronglikesteve #bethechange #makeadifference
The pug side eye side eye. @lunanleonidas #pug The pug side eye side eye.

@lunanleonidas

 #pug #sweetlunapug

 #pugpuppy #puglife #pugsandkisses #pugbaby #pugsofinstagram #pugstagram #grumbleinc #grumble #pugstagram #pugworld #carlino #thetomcoteshow #dogstagram #petstagram #pugoftheday #pugsdaily #pugstyle #904dogs #keelysafternoontea #pugfeaturedaily #pugclub #dailybarker #woofpackbros #woofpackbros4life #woofpackhotties #woofpackkitties #woofpackfamily #dogsconnectingtheworld
Drinking in that sunshine for sure! It was a bea Drinking in that sunshine for sure! 

It was a beautiful morning that turned quickly into a beautiful day. Sundays are hard because they are immediately  followed by Mondays, and Mondays are hard.

Lots to catch up on this week! April is chock full of holidays, birthdays, days off, and events, so let’s get to it!

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids
About this morning… I was up and out early to d About this morning…

I was up and out early to drive to Flagler Beach for the #Missionpossible5k.

It was a small, well organized event, with an easy-to-follow course (the last mile was almost exclusively an ocean view), with great shirts and swag.

I was really pleased with my performance, and even more pleased with this beach sunrise. I’ll share more on the #RunnersRundown on Wednesday, so stay tuned!

Where did you run or race this weekend?

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids
Oh, hello long sleeves. I’m here for it. So goo Oh, hello long sleeves. I’m here for it.

So good to stretch the legs today. I was super sore after a @runsmartofficial cross training session last night, and needed to just get out there and let the fresh air work its magic.

What are you up to today? I really need to take a moment with my calendar and get some plans locked into place. 

#running #streakingwiththecoolkids
He’s gonna get it, one of these days. 🍌 @lu He’s gonna get it, one of these days. 🍌 

@lunanleonidas 

 #pug #sweetlunapug

 #pugpuppy #puglife #pugsandkisses #pugbaby #pugsofinstagram #pugstagram #grumbleinc #grumble #pugstagram #pugworld #carlino #thetomcoteshow #dogstagram #petstagram #pugoftheday #pugsdaily #pugstyle #904dogs #keelysafternoontea #pugfeaturedaily #pugclub #dailybarker #woofpackbros #woofpackbros4life #woofpackhotties #woofpackkitties #woofpackfamily #dogsconnectingtheworld #cheesetax
Check out those blue skies! I got to sleep in AND Check out those blue skies!

I got to sleep in AND take advantage of some cooler temps. It really didn’t warm up until my last mile and that was just fine.

I feel like this month and next are really just flying by. So much is going on, and I want so badly to enjoy it all, including the crisp, sunny days where we find them!

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids
Kind of a meh day. I got in some walking miles and Kind of a meh day. I got in some walking miles and some balance and strength work through @runsmartofficial.

Tomorrow will be cooler and more productive for sure!

#running #streakingwiththecoolkids
Happy Monday! I don’t know about you all, but y Happy Monday!

I don’t know about you all, but your girl is TIRED. It is so hard to roll out of bed some mornings. Ugh. 

I managed (finally) and banked six miles in some gross humidity. And now it’s time for some self care and then back to work.

Also. We have somehow acquired a pecan tree? Any tips on the growth and care of this would be greatly appreciated!

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids
Sunday fun day! Just a short walk to start the da Sunday fun day!

Just a short walk to start the day and work out some stiffness. Some days, my ankle just doesn’t want to cooperate 🫤

I have been making graphics and content all day for a client, and now I’m about to do hair and makeup for a little event. Wheee! 

This week is going to be BUSY! There’s a lot of changes to the regular routines (nails, a digital learning day, after school and weekend programming) and I have a race on Saturday and bocce ball on Sunday! 

Who else is ready to dive in?!

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids

Copyright © 2025 · Wordpress Theme by Hello Yay!