High School Scrapbook: Liz Wilson  On pre-race rituals  April 1,
2005  The term "pre-race rituals" might sound like meaningless,
rigid acts, but they can actually be useful and comforting, says
marathoner Liz Wilson. "Use them to give you focus, calm your
nerves, and settle your confidence as you head into the
competition," she advises. Find a routine that works, and
incorporate it into a ritual—you’ll find that it becomes an
automatic process, one that can be reassuring in the chaos of a
competitive setting. Among the rituals Wilson suggests:  -- Pack
your bag the night before so you aren’t missing anything. Take a
hat or headband and gloves, since the weather can change
quickly.  -- Know how many hours you like to eat before a race
and try to stick to it. Test this in workouts and races.  --
Shower before getting ready for a race—just a quick one. A
little cold water to the face can do wonders to get the juices
flowing!  -- Develop a warm-up routine. Don’t get sucked into
doing what your competitors are doi