The only thing I want to think about the moments before a race is competing. I don't want the little things to distract me.
The key to running a good marathon is to not listen to anyone's advice the last week before the race. That's when people tend to do stupid things that disrupt all the input and training of the previous months.
Before a race, I block out what's going on in the stadium. It's different for everyone. But for me, I've always been able to block it out. For a sprint race, it's important not to get distracted.
I think my first World Championships, I handled it well. My goal, just like any other meet, was to come out and win.
I have never had problems sleeping the night before a race.
Then going out on the ice usually about 15 minutes before and certain things I would do for the different races, aspects that you run through your mind.
You had to decompress the pressure before the race. I taught my heart to relax. I lay down before the race. It gave me more energy just before the race.
The real preparation for races is done in the off-season. I put in the hard work during the summer and fall, and I'm always working on technique so that when the actual races come around I'm ready to go.
I choose not to believe in superstitions. On race day, I have plans that I follow. I don't necessarily think about brushing my hair a certain way or doing certain things that make no sense as it relates to my performance.
