On Wednesday night I had my first dream about the Philadelphia Marathon. I say my first because I’m sure there will be many more to come. I mean, it’s still 12+ weeks away so I was a little surprised that I had one so soon.
I was always one to have dreams about going back to school and I still have dreams about work when I have something important coming up. You remember the back to school dreams? Being late for class, forgetting your books/homework, wearing something ridiculous? The pre-race dreams are similar in that everything that could possibly go wrong does plus some other ridiculous stuff usually happens.
Like in my recent dream I was super late for the race (like I showed up to the start like 15 minutes after the gun went off) and still insisted on finding a bathroom before starting the race. Plus my watch wouldn’t work (although that is pretty realistic) and it was pouring rain. Since I started so late I didn’t know where I was going so I kept getting lost and then they decided to “postpone” the race due to the weather- yeah cause that might ever happen. I also remember that stairs were involved. I really hope I never encounter a marathon that involves climbing stairs.
no stairs from what I can see- just a couple of hills
In thinking back to the actual marathons I have done, I never got too nervous in the days leading up to the race. I was probably the most nervous before my first marathon which was Philly in 2011, just because I had never done that distance before. But I had a perfect training cycle, no injuries, and had completed three 20 miles so I was pretty confident about completing the race. The other 3 marathons involved some kind of injury-related “excuse”. I’m not quoting them to say that they weren’t valid-but they weren’t bad enough to prevent me from running- just annoying enough to make me feel like I couldn’t give it 100% and it was a good enough reason to accept not reaching my goals.
realizing I was just over a minute past a sub-4
The other day Nicole wrote about her experience training for her next marathon, giving her training 100% and feeling ready and confident. I commented about how I hope that I can continue to carry the confidence I have right now throughout my training and into the race. I don’t want to feel like I have a reason to hold back.
Thursdays 800s: right on target.
I think that the pre-race nerves I start to feel about races contributes to my lack of confidence, and then instead of facing my anxiety head on, I allow it to take over and back away from my goals. Since the completion of a marathon is quite an accomplishment in itself, I always came out of those races with some pride. But I think in the back of my mind I knew I could have done better, and I settled and played it safe. This time, I hope to push myself, face the anxiety, and gain the confidence to do more than just finish- but to really race. So far my workouts have been right on track, and I know there is a still a long way to go, but I’m moving in the right direction.
How do you deal with pre-race nerves and self-doubt?
Ever have anxious dreams leading up to a race?
Ahhh the anxiety dreams. I STILL have them about school as a teacher 🙂 I’ve also had them about races. I had one vivid one where I had to run a certain number of miles on a public treadmill before actually completing the race, but the gears weren’t working, and it was just sad. I think you’re so right about the marathon distance. Since it feels like an accomplishment no matter what, it can be easy to sit back from big goals and “not worry about them,” when really, I’m just not pushing as hard as I could for them. Thanks for the mid-training cycle inspiration!
I’m glad you can relate to pre-race dreams! Your’s sounds just as ridiculous as mine!:) I definitely think dreams are just a way for our brains to just workout through any underlying anxiety we have in our lives. i usually wake up feeling like “at least that won’t really happen!”
Great post Lisa! I definitely have those prerace jitters-they start out innocently but by the night before, I’m in full blown no-sleep mode. Lol.
I think what you said about knowing in the back of your mind that you could’ve done better—this is me too-there are times when I could’ve pushed myself harder than before, and I’m looking forward to it this time around! 🙂 good luck to us!!!:)
I think the more pressure I put on myself, the more nervous I get. I think I have done best in some of the races where I didn’t really have a “goal” and was just racing for fun. Somehow I need to figure out how to push myself while also staying calm- it can be tricky but I know it can be done:)
I am a pretty anxious person in general and I get nervous for races. But it’s definitely getting better the more races I do. I know I’ll be a ball of nerves for my first full though! I had a stressful dream the other night about my half next weekend; someone stole all my running clothes the morning of the race!
Ah that’s a terrible race anxiety dream! At least when we have these ridiculous dreams we can rest assured that things like that won’t actually happen. Maybe it just helps to put things in perspective? And I agree that the more races you do, the less nerves generally come into play, although a new distance can bring you back to feeling like its your very first race!
Haha, what a dream. Dreams are always so scary and awful when you’re in them, but as soon as you say them aloud (or write them), they seem a little silly.
No matter what distance race I have coming up, if it’s important to me, I have a dream where I can’t run. The starting gun will go off, but my legs will suddenly feel like spaghetti and I’ll fall to the ground. I spend the rest of the dream trying to stand up, and running a step or two before collapsing again. A little ridiculous 🙂
I’m glad to hear your training is going well though! Hopefully this cycle won’t have you worring about injuries when you reach the starting line.
You are so right that once you say them or write them they seem so silly! I think that the crazy dreams maybe are meant to remind us that things can’t be THAT bad. I have had dreams where my legs wouldn’t work, too! There’s gotta be some kind of underlying meaning behind that, right?
I usually have a recurring dream that I forget my headphones lol. I can’t imagine running a race without them….It’s funny – my first couple of races didn’t make me nervous. After realizing I needed to stop running in the middle of the Fitness Magazine Half back in April (I wasn’t feeling well) since then I think nerves have come more into play. I also think that the more races I run, the more I have what to compare myself and my times to which was never something I thought about or worried about.
Oh no! Well I bet you will never forget your headphones if you keep having dreams about it:) I think whenever something goes wrong in a long run or a race I get really nervous that it will happen again and it takes me awhile to get over it. And I totally agree about the times thing- its like the faster you get the harder you have to work to keep beating those times. I’ve tried to go into races with the mindset of just running for fun, but I never can. I always need to race against myself.
I honestly believe that dreaming is absolutely normal and allows our mind and body to work through anxieties and help us to prepare for anything on race day. I had dreams on multiple occasions before my first half Ironman. The night before the actual race I had dreams about every moment of the swim/bike/run from start to finish, and woke up that morning feeling as though I had already raced (such a weird feeling). I always deal with pre-race nerves by reminding myself that I am doing something that I love and by asking myself “what’s the worst that can happen?”
I definitely agree with your opinion about dreaming! It makes me feel like nothing THAT bad can really go wrong! Plus I think it helps to work out any worries I have that I may not even realize I am experiencing.
Isn’t that such a weird feeling when you have such a vivid dream about an event that you feel like you already experienced it? Dreams can be kinda cool in a way, I think!
I’m trying to remember if I’ve had explicit pre-race bad dreams. Maybe weirder sleep, but not obvious race dreams. I’m a month out from my marathon, and as long as I can keep it together, I think that I won’t be too nervous going in, because I am not trying to crazy PR or anything. Then again, having said that, day of better be freaking amazing.
I think that your mindset it awesome and that is probably why you’re not dealing with anxious dreams:) Honestly I think I have the best race experiences when I don’t get all worked up about it before. I think its best to just focus on the things you can control and enjoy the ride!
I have never had anxiety dreams about a race, but I have had them about back to school many times. Once I dreamed that the children rebelled and went crazy on me. That was terrifying. Anyways, I have started saying a little mantra to myself on my long runs. I read that online somewhere. It really does help. Like some people say: I can do hard things. That is a popular one. It takes my mind in another direction. You are going to do awesome, though. You are so well prepared.
The back to school dreams can be just as bad as pre-race dreams! I’m sure as a teacher there are plenty of things to be nervous about- but just like with races, the dreams about your class can never be quite as bad in real life:)
I love that mantra! I have also read that and I try to remember to say it to myself when things get tough!
I haven’t had any anxiety dreams related to the marathon (yet), but I did have a dream about failing out of school last night. Considering I am well past my school days this may have actually been related to the marathon in some way… maybe I am worried about failing on race day and that’s showing up in my dreams. Hmmm!
Since your training is spot on this time, hopefully that will help you to continue building confidence up to race day so that you kick some ass! 😉
Haha maybe your dream is related to the run! I remember having dreams about being in school for years after I was done. I also think it may have been related to other things going on in my life. But you will do great, so ignore that dream and stay positive!:)
I’ve had those anxiety dreams about races, too. Just try to trust in your training and in your past results to help you bring the anxiety down. Easier said than done, I know, but sometimes using logic helps!
Yes, definitely! I’ve learned to look at it as funny in a way- and I remember that my dreams are so ridiculous that there is no way those things could actually happen! I’m sure that the dreaming has a purpose in some way for my brain to work through some of the thoughts I’m having about the race. But you are right, that the logical side of my brain will need to remember to trust in the training!
Honestly, I typically don’t get nerves prior to a race. The only one i can remember getting them was my first marathon!
That is so great that you don’t get nervous! I know I do so much better in races when i go in relaxed. So i’m working on finding a balance where I can push myself but also not put too much pressure on myself!
Ohh, dreams. I still remember the dreams I had before my first half marathon, I was terrified. Despite what you think as you sleep, you’re going to do great! You’ve been putting in the hard work. Plus my theory is if you dream about it, it means that you really care. You care about doing well and it’s going to pay off 🙂
Yes, I definitely agree! I just think for whatever reason my mind needs to work through some stuff in my sleep. The dreams can be so crazy that I always find them a little funny (once I get over the anxiety I felt when I was having them)!
I don’t remember having any dreams about races, but I do remember the back to school ones! I can relate to the nerves though. I think it’s a good idea to look back on the training you’ve been doing and the miles and long runs you’ve been putting in as you go along and remind yourself not to settle for less during the marathon because of how hard you’re working. You’re doing great! 🙂
Thanks! I think the back to school dreams used to happen all the time for me, luckily the pre-race dreams don’t happen quite as often! You are right- thinking rationally about where your training is and goals should help!