It’s only Wednesday, and I’m already nervous about taking part in this Sunday’s Seek the Peak Relay. I’ve been taking part in races for 23 years and I still get the same sense of nervousness and excitement. Bit of an addict really.

This event is a big challenge. It was designed to be daunting. But the truth is, the harder the challenge, the more amazing the feeling you have when you overcome it. As Bruce Cockburn said in his beautiful song, Lovers in a Dangerous Time,


Nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight / you’ve got to kick at the darkness until it bleeds daylight

Another truth is this: you can do it. People battling cancer have reached the Peak. People with MS, Diabetes, prosthetic limbs, and that are legally blind have reached the Peak. Smokers, recovering alcoholics, and otherwise unhealthy people have reached the Peak. An event like this is not about how fast you completed the course in and where you placed. In the grand scheme of life, those things do not matter. The people who love and support you will be proud of you for simply taking part and challenging yourself. And when you reach the peak and look back down to where you started at Ambleside Beach, the sense of achievement and pride in what you just did will empower you.

Two other truisms to take to the start line with you:

1. It doesn’t matter who you are, there will always be someone faster and someone slower than you. So just relax and do it for your self.

2. It’s simply mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter!

Motivation aside, here are some practical tips to help you along the journey:

1. Maintain your diet. Last minute diet changes wreak havoc on your digestive system.

2. Hydrate. Drink plenty of water, starting now. Mix in an electrolyte occasionally (diluated Gatorade, for example)

3. Get a good nights sleep for at least the two nights before the race. Sleep is a crucial recovery aid and will help with mental acuity on race day.

4. Practice positive thinking. “I can do it.” Visualize yourself floating up the trails, powering up the Grind, and feeling the adrenaline when you reach the peak, then the finish. Remember, positive thought precedes positive action.

5. If you’re a runner, go for a very easy 15-20 minute run on flat terrain (grass field is the best) the day before followed by a light stretch. This will prep your body for the event. If you’re a walker / hiker, do the same.

6. On race day, eat your normal breakfast about two – three hours before the race start. This will give your body time to digest the bulk of the food and get rid of what it needs to get rid of.

7. Dress in layers, and bring a hat. Wear sunscreen.

8. Thoroughly warm-up. An easy 10-15 jog / brisk walk started about 30 minutes before the race followed by a light stretch (hip flexors, calves, quads in particular)

9. Run / walk the first 5 minutes of the race at an easier effort level than you normally would (this is particularly for the Alpha Males / Females in the group who have a propensity for hammering early and fading late). Conversation pace early will set you up for a strong finish. Adrenaline and the sheer momentum of the pack always causes people to run faster than they should initially.

10. If you’re racing solo, break down the race into each of its four stages and deal with accordingly.

11. Drink water / electrolyte early and often, particularly if it is a hot or humid day

12. Keep thinking positively.

13. When the going gets tough (and it might), think about why you’re doing this event and who you are doing it for.

14. Smile often!

Can’t wait to see all of you Sunday. It’s going to be an amazing morning!

Eric
Founder, Seek the Peak