Racing Superstitions and Prep

[Pheidippides]

As I was getting ready for the races this weekend I was contemplating my prep for big races. I have all sorts of things I do:

Shave chest and legs
Get haircut
Gel hair into ridiculous fauxhawk
Paint toenails

and things I won't do:

Wear the race shirt in the race
Wear the race shirt before I've finished
Buy anything stickers or plaques commemorating the distance until I've finished (race gear is okay - but no wearing until finish).

I am sure I have more little quirks.

This is a thread to share our ridiculous superstitions and routines. I am interested to hear what other do.

[Clark Addison]

No carbonated drinks within 24 hours of a race.

No using race porta-potties for #2. I don't know if that one is really a superstition.

Make at least three trips to post-race buffet.

Skip awards ceremony.

[il Padrino Ute]

No racing for me, but before each game, while getting dressed in the locker room, I put each item on in a left-right pattern. Left pants leg, then right pants leg; left sock, then right sock; left shoe, then right shoe; left jersey sleeve, then right jersey sleeve. And it had to be in that very order each game day - pants, socks, shoes, jersey.

Before the game started, I would scoop up a handful of dirt, rub my hands together then rub my knees to get dirt stains on the pants. Behind the plate before the start of each inning, I would touch each corner of the plate with each foot - left then right, of course. And before each at-bat it was imperative that I step into the box with the front foot first, depending if I was batting left or right handed. Never, never, step into the box with the back foot as that is just begging to strike out.

[lambdacoug]

How long did it take for these superstitions/routines to develop? I'm just curious. I don't recall any superstitions I had while competing in various sports in HS (the last time I did anything comparable). Maybe I just wasn't focused enough.

[Pheidippides]

How long did it take for these superstitions/routines to develop? I'm just curious. I don't recall any superstitions I had while competing in various sports in HS (the last time I did anything comparable). Maybe I just wasn't focused enough.

Multiple races. The toenail painting is new - trying to cover up the ones that are black/missing. By this time next week only half of my toenails will be normal.

[il Padrino Ute]

How long did it take for these superstitions/routines to develop? I'm just curious. I don't recall any superstitions I had while competing in various sports in HS (the last time I did anything comparable). Maybe I just wasn't focused enough.

Rubbing dirt on the knees started in little league. The awesome man who ran the little league I played in way back when - he was an old-time semi-pro player from the days of the great depression when blue collar businesses would hire employees in order to have a semi-pro team - ran a clinic for all the kids just after sign-ups so he could teach them the right way to play baseball. One of the things he told us was that you couldn't play properly with a clean uniform, especially pants.

Everything else just sort of happened throughout high school, the lone exception being touching the corners of the plate before each inning. That was something that we three catchers at Marist came up with. It started my soph year there when the pitching coach was complaining about his staff not having enough control. So we decided that if we touched the corners, it would create some sort of force field that would keep the pitch within the width of the strike zone.

Yep, baseballers are the most superstitious of all athletes. We're freaks.

[MarkGrace]

No racing for me, but before each game, while getting dressed in the locker room, I put each item on in a left-right pattern. Left pants leg, then right pants leg; left sock, then right sock; left shoe, then right shoe; left jersey sleeve, then right jersey sleeve. And it had to be in that very order each game day - pants, socks, shoes, jersey.

I always did left/right too, though I think I always dress that way with everything. Also always, always wore a gray undershirt. And I always jumped the chalk.

[MarkGrace]

I used to paint my fingernail as well, but not out of superstition. Used clear nail polish to strengthen them so they wouldn't split.

[il Padrino Ute]

I always did left/right too, though I think I always dress that way with everything. Also always, always wore a gray undershirt. And I always jumped the chalk.

Yes, jumping the chalk is a necessity. My undershirt color was always red. School colors. But no school logo. Just a plain red tee.

[Pheidippides]

Yep, baseballers are the most superstitious of all athletes. We're freaks.

We don't hold a candle to you baseball people.

One other thing I do is shave my face. I can't run a hard race with morning stubble. I also must drop a deuce before the gun - doesn't matter if it's at home or at the race.

[Eddie]

We don't hold a candle to you baseball people.

One other thing I do is shave my face. I can't run a hard race with morning stubble. I also must drop a deuce before the gun - doesn't matter if it's at home or at the race.

I agree, baseball people are weird.

I like to shave and shower the night before a race too. And typically I like to have had a haircut within about a week or so.

Eating a couple of hours before the race wakes up my system and helps me take care of business before the race begins. Thus far, I've never had to stop mid-race (knock on wood). However, I've had long training runs where I didn't eat first and ended up having to make a stop.

[Joe Public]

I'll wear shorts, shirt, etc. from home/hotel to the race site, but never the socks or shoes in which I will race. I change into those once I park or, for races with a bag check, at the starting line.

[lambdacoug]

I find these fascinating. I wonder what strange habits/superstitions I'll form and swear by as I race more. I'm sure I'll develop some, likely based on something I did when I break a PR or accomplish some milestone...but maybe not.

Sent from a Jelly Bean

[Pheidippides]

I agree, baseball people are weird.

I like to shave and shower the night before a race too. And typically I like to have had a haircut within about a week or so.

Eating a couple of hours before the race wakes up my system and helps me take care of business before the race begins. Thus far, I've never had to stop mid-race (knock on wood). However, I've had long training runs where I didn't eat first and ended up having to make a stop.

Ooh, eating! Must be oatmeal as soon as I wake up for a marathon. Yesterday morning was no different.