1. Get Plenty of Rest
There's not much you can do to make you faster the day before a race--that's what those months and weeks of training were for. But there are plenty of pitfalls to avoid when it comes to prepping for the big day. For starters, conserve your energy by staying off your feet as much as possible on the eve of your race. The night before, hunker down on the couch and catch up on your favorite TV shows. Then get together everything you'll need the next day (outfit, shoes, water bottle, gels, race number and any good luck charms) and go to bed at the same time you usually hit the sack.
2. Fuel Wisely
Whatever you eat the night before a race will still be in your stomach at the starting line, so be sure to stick to familiar fare. So if you're used to chowing down on pizza before long runs, grab a couple of slices instead of loading up on shrimp scampi. For added energy, go for foods that are high in carbs (pasta is an easy choice), but avoid overeating as you don't want to be still digesting your dinner at breakfast.
On the morning of the race, go for easy-to-digest, low-calorie foods like a plain bagel or toast, or a sports bar at least 2 hours before the gun goes off. You don't want to be distracted by a full belly when you should be concentrating on running fast.
3. Be an Early Bird
Rushing around on the morning of the race will only cause undo stress and distract you from your task at hand--running a solid race. So give yourself plenty of time in the morning by getting up early (set multiple alarms if you have to) and arriving to the race site at least an hour and a half before the scheduled start. Pick up your race packet, go to the bathroom, then warm up with some slow jogging and stretching about 45 minutes before the start. To stay as loose and limber as possible, stay moving and stretching until the gun goes off.
4. Visualize Victory
As you stretch, take a few minutes to run through your race in your head. Close your eyes and breathe deeply as you envision yourself running the course. See yourself making strategic moves at certain points, hitting your goal pace, passing your competitors and crossing the finish line. Reminding yourself that you're ready to take on any challenge the day may through you will boost your confidence and amp you up for an awesome race.
5. Finish Strong
Evaluate how you feel at the midway mark. Are your legs fresh? Is your breathing under control? If so, that probably means you can pick up the pace a bit. If not, don't panic. Slow down slightly, relax, shake out your arms and concentrate on staying strong for the second half. You still have plenty of time to make up any lost ground.
As you approach the finish line, don't celebrate too early--those last couple of miles may feel like a marathon if you close too early. To get you through the final stretch of the race, psych yourself up by repeating a positive phrase or zero in on distant landmarks until the finish line is in sight. And when it is, turn on your engines and give it all you've got.
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