Amateur Running Psychology

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Session Notes The Sparkplug
Addressing:

Race Day Anxiety

The overwhelming nervousness and self-doubt that hits before the starting gun, manifesting as stomach issues, racing thoughts about everything that could go wrong, and questioning whether all your training was enough

How The Sparkplug Can Conquer Race Day Anxiety in Amateur Running

Posted on December 19, 2025 ~ min read
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For: The Sparkplug athletes in Amateur Running
Focus: Session Notes - Race Day Anxiety
Read Time: ~9 min
Session Notes December 19, 2025
Profile: The Sparkplug
Sport: Amateur Running
Challenge: Race Day Anxiety

In amateur running, race day anxiety is the overwhelming nervousness and self-doubt that hits before the starting gun. Your stomach churns. Racing thoughts flood your mind about everything that could go wrong. You question whether months of training were enough. For externally motivated, collaborative athletes, this anxiety carries a unique sting because the race represents a public test of your worth.

The conventional wisdom sounds simple: breathe deeply, visualize success, stay calm. Coaches tell you to relax. Running blogs suggest meditation apps. Everyone says the same thing. But here's the problem. That advice assumes all runners experience anxiety the same way. It ignores why you feel this pressure in the first place.

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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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