Pre-Race Ritual
Over my first summer season of hill racing I have developed a finely tuned system that I utilise before the gun (or horn, whistle or person shouting “GO!”). I’m generously willing to share it with you, my fellow Westie.
Kipchoge has his pacers, special course and custom shoes. Well, you now have this sequenced checklist. The method which will help you to successfully represent possibly the best small-to-medium size hill running club in the West end of Glasgow with honour, pride and a yellow vest.
Just follow these steps and you too might one day reach such considerable achievements and accolades as Kipchoge and I.
1. Drink water
2. Pack mandatory kit
3. Decide on:
– Vest
– Vest on top of t-shirt
– Vest on top of long sleeve t-shirt
4. Change into racing kit
5. Pin number to vest
6. Warm layer on
7. Tie shoe laces
8. Toilet visit
9. Check that I did pack all the mandatory kit
10. Panic about missing whistle
11. Search for missing whistle
12. Remember whistle is built into the bag for the mandatory kit so it can’t get lost
13. Take off warm layer
14. Check that the race number is pinned securely
15. Adjust the pins
16. Check that the race number is straight
17. Adjust the pins
18. Move the race number to the centre
19. Adjust the pins
20. Check that the race number is straight
21. Adjust the pins
22. Check that the race number is pinned securely – it is, no pin adjustment necessary
23. Warm layer back on
24. Drink water
25. Change decision of vest on top of t-shirt
26. Take off warm layer
27. Take off vest
28. Remove t-shirt
29. Vest back on
30. Warm layer back on, again
31. Re-tie laces which have become undone
32. Warm-up jog
33. Re-tie laces tighter
34. Warm-up jog
35. Superfluous toilet visit
36. Warm layer off
37. Re-tie laces, this time looser
38. Walk to start line
39. Go back for race kit bag
40. Line up for the start
41. Adjust the pins
42. GO!
Very succinct discription of getting ready Arron. I wonder, are there any additional steps needed if it’s a relay?
Ah yes, relays. Many of the same techniques apply with some slight additional steps to ensure your Westie team podium position.
* Locate leg partner
* Locate vest for partner
* Toilet visit
* Partner looses race number
* Don’t panic when informed you’re race number has been handed in.
* Partner receives race number again.
* Go through kit check 45 minutes too early.
* Adjust pins
Timing chips, those ones tied into your laces, must add unbelievable complexity.
Factor in folding number incredibly small and pinning carefully to your shorts!