Embracing the Pre-Race Nerves – Turning Anxiety into Excitement
Anxiety before a race is not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign that you care. For the Intuitive Feeler, emotions run deep, and racing can bring up a mix of excitement, anticipation, and fear of the unknown. Instead of trying to suppress these emotions, what if you could reframe them as fuel?
Elite athletes experience the same nerves you do. The difference is how they interpret them. Research shows that the physiological response to anxiety and excitement is nearly identical—your heart rate rises, your breathing quickens, and adrenaline surges. The key difference? Your mindset.
In 2013, a Harvard study by Alison Wood Brooks found that when participants reinterpreted their anxiety as excitement, their performance improved. Simply saying, “I’m excited” instead of “I’m nervous” helped them channel that energy into focus rather than fear.
How Do You Reframe Race Day Nerves?
- Step 1: Acknowledge It – Instead of fighting the feeling, recognize it as part of your experience. “I feel nervous because this matters to me.”
- Step 2: Reframe It – Remind yourself that your body is priming you for peak performance. Change “I’m scared” to “I’m ready” or “I’m nervous” to “I’m excited.”
- Step 3: Redirect Your Focus – Anxiety thrives on uncertainty. Focus on what you can control: your preparation, your breath, your effort.
Many top athletes use anchor phrases like “I am strong,” “This is what I trained for,” or “I trust my body.” When emotions surge, a simple phrase can ground you.
The Power of Emotional Acceptance
The biggest mistake an emotionally attuned athlete can make is resisting what they feel. The more you try to push anxiety away, the stronger it grows. Instead, sit with it. Imagine your emotions as waves—you don’t have to fight them, just ride them to shore.
The next time pre-race jitters hit, close your eyes and visualize the feeling as energy. See it as light, not darkness. Accept it as part of your experience, and instead of saying, “I need to calm down,” say, “I’m ready to channel this energy into my race.”
