Why does my tactical preparation make race anxiety worse?

Your analytical mind builds confidence through thorough preparation during training. On race day, uncontrollable variables emerge that your analysis can't predict. The same cognitive approach that helped you prepare now generates anxiety by processing every unknown as a potential threat. The solution is creating structured closure points for analysis before race day.

How can I stop comparing myself to competitors before a race?

You can't stop the comparison entirely because opponent awareness is part of your competitive wiring. Instead, create a structured opponent analysis ritual that ends the night before your race. Write a brief summary of what you know, your strategic response, and what you cannot control. Then close the file and shift to execution mode.

What should I do if I start panicking in the first mile of a race?

Implement a first-mile firewall before the race starts. Commit to making zero tactical decisions in mile one. Your only job is executing your predetermined opening pace regardless of what competitors do. This protects your race plan during peak adrenaline. After mile one, your nervous system settles and you can assess accurately.

How The Duelist Can Overcome Race Day Anxiety in Amateur Running

Posted on December 19, 2025 ~ min read

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For: The Duelist athletes in Amateur Running

Focus: Session Notes - Race Day Anxiety

Read Time: ~9 min

Session Notes December 19, 2025

Profile: The Duelist

Sport: Amateur Running

Challenge: Race Day Anxiety

In amateur running, race day anxiety is the overwhelming nervousness that strikes before the starting gun. Your stomach churns. Your mind races through catastrophic scenarios. You question whether months of training will translate when it counts.

For The Duelist, an intrinsically motivated and opponent-focused athlete, this anxiety carries a unique burden. Your tactical mind has spent weeks analyzing course profiles, competitor pacing strategies, and weather variables. That same analytical strength now turns against you. Every preparation gap becomes magnified. Every unknown becomes a threat.

Vladimir Novkov M.A. Social Psychology Sport Psychologist & Performance Coach Specializing in personality-driven performance coaching .sp-author-credentials { background: #f8f9fa; border-left: 4px solid #0073aa; padding: 20px; margin: 20px 0; border-radius: 4px; } .author-credentials-inner { display: flex; gap: 20px; align-items: flex-start; } .author-avatar img { border-radius: 50%; border: 3px solid #fff; box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.1); } .author-info { flex: 1; } .author-name { font-size: 18px; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 5px; } .author-name a { color: #1a1a1a; text-decoration: none; } .author-name a:hover { color: #0073aa; } .author-credentials-badges { display: inline-flex; gap: 8px; margin-left: 10px; } .credential-badge { display: inline-block; padding: 2px 8px; font-size:...

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Vladimir Novkov

M.A. Social Psychology | ISSA Elite Trainer | Expert in Sport Psychology for Athlete Development

My mission is to bridge the gap between mind and body, helping athletes and performers achieve a state of synergy where peak performance becomes a natural outcome of who they are.

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