How Should I Prepare Mentally Before a
Race?
Auto
Racer:
How Should I Prepare Mentally Before a Race?
Dr. Cohn’s Answer:
Do not neglect your mental preparation before a race. After you have
adjusted your equipment and fueled up, it's time to fuel your mindset
for a successful race. Many racers prefer to have a set prerace routine
they use 30-40 minutes prior to the start of the race. In fact, I teach all
my students prerace routines because this is an excellent time to integrate
all the mental skills we learn.
I suggest that you remember the Three C's in mental preparation: Clarity,
confidence, and commitment. These are three big buzzwords in my work. Clarity
in my plan and strategy is the first step. You want to be clear in
your mind what lines you will take and the strategy to outlast your
competition. Confidence in you skills is number 2. I suggest to my
students to fuel their own confidence before the start of a race and
be proactive with their confidence. Hint: avoid playing other races
on the box before the race has even started. Commitment to the race
plan is number 3. You must be committed to your plan for the first
two or three laps at least. I know track conditions with change and
your need to be flexible, but you need to commit to a strategy before
the green flag or gate drops