Most experts will tell you that you can't get any faster during the last few days of taper before an A race. I'm here to tell you that they're wrong. I have three tips that worked for me in a huge way last week:
1. Coffee - Or more specifically, an absence of coffee. I parted ways with my dark master the Sunday before the race. It was rough for a couple of days, but I managed. When I started using the caffeinated gels on race day, my sensitivity was back and they actually had an effect. This isn't necessary for B races, but I always do this for big events.
2. Shoes - Not running shoes or cycling shoes, you need good shoes for all your pre-race activities. I highly recommend Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star Flames. I have the Lo's. The speed and coolness of these shoes will permeate your feet in the preceding days, making you faster than you can imagine.
3. Music - During the last 48 hours, my musical selection was locked in on Lyle Lovett, Hank Williams III, and Five Finger Death Punch. What does western swing, hellbilly and death metal have to do with each other? Just sheer awesomeness. Lyle will help keep your nerves under control, then right before the race, a little 5FDP to fire the engines. (I listened to Way of the Fist three times on the way to race site. Thanks to my wife for being so understanding.) Do this while wearing your hotrod shoes, and you'll race like an antelope on meth that's been hit by a taser.
There you are, now go race better than you ever have. But if you're lining up against me, forget everything I just said.
And in case you're not familiar, here's Way of the Fist:
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Caffeine works the same way for me. I cut down 10-7 days before racing....although this will be difficult now that I get free espresso at work :(
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