How To Mentally Prepare for a Race | #AskNick

The mental side of racing is SO important. This is a very brief intro to some of the tricks I used to be a mentally strong athlete. Many more to come, please consider subscribing!

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Thank you for watching this video. My favorite days are those that stimulate me physically and mentally. Athletics keeps my body fit, entrepreneurial business keeps my mind fit. Welcome to the life of the ATHLETEPRENEUR!
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Nick Symmonds is a two-time Olympian and a serial entrepreneur. He is the founder and president of Nick Symmonds, LLC and the co-founder and CEO of Run Gum, a caffeinated chewing gum company that gives people a quick boost in energy and focus with their revolutionary energy gum.

Nick holds a degree in biochemistry from Willamette University. He is also an Eagle Scout, a published author, and an accomplished fly fisherman and mountaineer.

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[peterc]

Haha, totally agree with the XC thoughts. I always ask myself midway through the race “why am I doing this”, yet here I am still doing it 😂

[seanenright]

Pain is temporary, winning lasts forever

[paultoy]

The extraordinary runner I used to run with and against used to say he would prepare his mind to accept the fact he was going to run through maximum pain so that he would accept it.Thanks Nick.

[Trancefreak]

Totally agree with the visualization part. I remember that I'd need at least several days to psych myself up for the races that really mattered to me, and it involved things like visualizing myself running strong toward the end of the race when I'm getting tired. I don't think I could have run anything close to my PRs without at least a day or two of mental preparation.

[turnoverbros]

Last chance for a sub 6 mile in middle school, the difference is mental at this point

Edit: Ran a 5:55, my goal was a sub 5:50, but I am still happy about my time

[mlrj]

Great advice. When I was a coach of JH and HS athletes I tried to convey how important mindset is in a race.

[JordanThomasmedia]

This is really good! I would also add visualizing how you want to feel at the end of the race and then work backwards to put those steps in the place. So for example if I want to close hard in a race I work on this during practice or if I want to have high energy before a race I do my best to sleep well the night before. Combing visualizations with some subtle actions to help reinforce it, works wonders.

[Fullsendfilosophy]

Visualization is huge. Before districts each year our coach would have us practice a victory lap every single day for the last week before districts and we won 4 years in a row. He got the idea from a basketball coach who spent the last week before the championships having his players practice cutting down the basketball net to visualize that win.

[Javida]

This video helped me PR by 12 seconds in the 2 mile at regionals. Thank you!

[deniseclay]

Great words of wisdom! Nick, you are so correct. My first basketball coach when I was only 4 or 5 taught me the importance of pre-visualization of everything; not just the common "making the free-throw" but every aspect of the game. I have used this all my life and even in my professional career. I think it helps me be a better financial advisor to my clients.

[treyrees]

Let’s say I mentally prepare for a race (as everyone should) and it doesn’t go as well as I had planned. How did you deal with disappointments like that? Is it as simple as “pick yourself up and go again” or did you find that there were certain things that helped?

[ITzYaBoiKingGamingAndMore]

lol the first cross country race of season i was also like why did i sign up for this haha nice video nick!

[xmyyuhxx]

When u have an xc race tomorrow and your stressing so much

[simonkiitano]

2:30 did. exactly this yesterday longjump pb by over 50 cm

[robertricker]

Have you ever thought about selling Run Gum Internationally cause this sports store called Decathlon is like every country but USA?

[SunJune]

Everytime befor I run I always feel like I have to poop and my breathe control isn’t well either

[adamseidel]

The ending to the video was super inspiring

[iceson]

“why am i doing this” dude i relate so hard to that😭

[ethan]

Great video Nick! Never really thought about mentally preparing before the race.

[bradynichols]

Nick that Run Gum An Alaskan Mile is super sweet! Great idea!!!