Favorite thing to do to prepare for a big competition.

[GoldenGuppy]

Most people are nervous when it comes to competition (whether it is sports, academics, etc)... therefore, through experience I have come to the conclusion that we all approach the scenario in our own unique ways. I was just wondering what you guys would do to prepare for a competition that is important to you, a competition that you know you have a really , really good chance at winning.

Here's what I do:

Before every race I run (usually 3 mile races) I would visualize a moment of success and how proud I would be. The moment of success won't necessarily be my moment of victory after the race, but rather other things like getting accepted to my grad school or choice, etc... after my 1-2 minutes of visualization I would be ready to race, without being nervous and completely in sync =)

 

[GasX]

Before big games, I used to listen to Red Rider's Lunatic Fringe and visualize the game. There is no better way to get pumped up for a game (think Vision Quest)

 

[DanJ]

Eye of the Tiger...

that should do it.

 

[GoldenGuppy]

Eye of the tiger normally enters my head sometime down the race... there's no doubt about it, it's always there after a while, when I need it most =)