Determine who among your competition is strongest. This way, you can have an idea of who might be your most likely competition. First, you’ll need to figure out who is likely to enter your competition. Look at past lists of competitors, and focus on the winners or those who placed in the top 10. You might also talk to fans, coaches, or writers who are knowledgeable about your sport or other competition. Review competitors’ past performances. If possible, try to watch videos or read articles about your rivals’ previous competitions. Look for strengths and weaknesses. Also observe overall strategy, bearing in mind how your own strategy might match up.
Pay any necessary entry fees. If the competition has an entry fee, pay it early, if possible, but definitely on time. Sometimes, early entry is cheaper or free as well, which is a plus. Also, remember to get a receipt. Enter early. This is particularly true if the competition involves judges reviewing some work product. In a short-story writing contest, for example, the bulk of entries tend to come toward the end of the submission period. [3] X Research source Entering early allows you to have more of the undivided attention of the judges, while entering later might mean your submission is lost in the pile with everyone else’s.
Wear appropriate clothing. Your clothes should fit properly and comfortably. They should also conform to the expected weather. For many sports, you’ll want clothing that breathes well so that you don’t overheat. Other types of gear may need to be customized to your sport. Cyclists often wear aerodynamic clothing and helmets, for example. Use proper gear. Gear that works well for you can make a huge difference in your performance. Goggles that fit your face and don’t allow water to come in, especially after diving into the pool, are crucial for swimmers. Tennis players, as another example, need to consider grip, string tightness and alignment, size, shape, and weight of their racquets. Make sure all your equipment conforms to the rules. Revisit the rules of the competition. Many competitions specifically set out parameters for what types of equipment are and are not allowed. If you’re unsure of anything, ask.
Start training well ahead of the competition—several months ahead, if possible. Use this time to train, practice, and hone your skills. If your competition is coming up soon, be prepared to speed up your training session, and focus more on the fundamentals if you don’t have time to cover everything you’d like. Distance runners should focus on longer runs, for example, even if they’d ideally incorporate strength training and sprints as well. If possible, train for a set amount of time nearly every day. Just don’t burn out physically or mentally during the training process. Instead, train enough to be as prepared as possible and to be mentally comfortable with your level of preparation going into the competition.
Set small goals within your training. For example, many cyclists who try to set hour records on the track (the distance you can ride in one hour) try training at their goal pace for five minutes at a time. Then, they build to 10 minutes, 15 minutes, and so on. [4] X Research source The mini goals help keep you focused, while providing a sense of accomplishment along the way. Make a checklist. Everyone has different productivity styles. If it helps, consider making a training checklist, which might be particularly important if you don’t have a coach to guide you. A checklist is what weightlifters do, for example, to keep track of the exercises they’ve done, the number of reps, and the weight. With a written checklist, you also have one less thing to think and worry about. Give yourself encouraging reminders. Leave sticky notes on your mirror or car steering wheel. Write down anything motivational to keep you inspired. It doesn’t have to be specific. It can simply be, “You OWN the track today” or “35. 5 IS my time!” Seek support from family and friends. Tell your close ones about your training, your obstacles, and your goals. They might have insights that can help you keep motivated. They might also serve as a welcome and healthy distraction to get you out of the bubble you’re in while being so focused on training.
Avoid naysayers and any other discouraging influences. [5] X Research source Hopefully, you do this already in other aspects of your life, so why not during your training? Since you’ve already set reasonable goals, you don’t need to worry about naysayers, and there will always be doubters and discouraging people no matter what goal you set. So, tune them out. Manage your anxiety and emotions during training and during the competition itself. [6] X Research source This takes practice. Sometimes you don’t know how you will feel while running your first half-marathon. So, consider running some 5Ks or 10Ks, for example. You don’t necessarily have to race for speed, but to understand how it feels to compete in your sport. This will also mitigate surprises on the day of your own competition in the half-marathon. Be fearless. Fear saps up your motivation. So, to stay motivated, replace fear with focus: focus on your goals, focus on your training, and focus on the moment. Your goals are what you want and now is all you can control; that’s where you need your focus to be to overcome fear.
What you eat specifically varies depending on the competition, but you’ll generally want to raise your blood sugar with fruits and focus on carbohydrates to maximize your energy. [7] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Avoid overeating, and be sure to go to the bathroom before your competition begins.
Find some space to yourself to clear your mind of everything except the task at hand. For example, you might find a corner to listen to music with your headphones. You might also take some extra time to yourself getting ready in the locker room, backstage, or parking lot, for example.
Don’t linger over mistakes during the competition. If, for example, you don’t get the fastest start off the blocks in a track meet, avoid lingering on that by focusing on the next turn. Don’t think about the outcome. Just as you’re not dwelling on the past, try not to get distracted by the future either. Staying present is not necessarily easy, but it is important to staying focused on the competition and everything you’ve practiced. [8] X Research source If your mind wanders, don’t worry about that either. Refocus and keep going.
