Creating calming pre-race rituals with Florida Coastal Cooking

"OH MY GOD!!! ITS RACE DAY!!! I CANT BREATH!! I CAN'T DO THIS!! I AM GOING TO DIE!!!"
Have you been there before? I know I have. Thankfully it has been a long time but none the less the thought of getting in the water with 2,000 of your closest friends is a bit unnerving. This week Dawn with Florida Coastal Cooking  shows us how to make a calming lavender spray to use on race morning and in the weeks leading up to the race. I go over race mantras and a simple 3 part yoga breath.

In the month or so leading up to your race, carve out quite times to breath, focus on calming yourself and purposefully relaxing.  Create the following lavender spray in a spray bottle to have on hand for these times as well as race morning.

Lavender spray:
1 Tsp vegetable glycerin  ( to prolong scent)
10-20 drops of Lavender
Filtered water

As for use of mantras, anything that resonates with you can work. I talk about using "be here now" to focus on the moment at hand but anything will work.

For the yoga breath, complete 3-6 reps of the following breath count
Inhale through your nose for 3 counts
Hold 3 counts
Inhale through your nose for 3 counts
Hold 3 counts
Inhale through your nose for 3 counts
Hold 3 counts
Big open mouth exhale for 6 counts
Repeat
When we are at ease, the whole body participates in the breathing process. Breath deep into your belly, not shallow choppy chest breaths.



Race morning, after you get your transition set, try to find a semi-secluded place that you can concentrate on calming your mind  and prepare to enjoy the day that you have worked so hard for.