Races & Superstitions

With NHL playoffs in full throttle, I’m sure you’ve noticed the increasingly beard-y, grizzly like appearance of hockey players.  Known as the “Hockey Beard”, it’s part of hockey superstition.  Hockey players are notoriously superstitious. 

An example:  currently, New York Rangers being interviewed post game win must wear their “winning fedora”.  This fedora is worn right after the game, still dripping in sweat.  Since the fedora is the same single fedora they’ve used since October, it must stink like witch’s panties!  There are many more strange superstitions hockey players live by.

Now I’m as equally superstitious when it comes to getting race ready, and some of them has pushed me into doing things I don’t want to:  Like having to finish Boston 2012.

My husband thinks I’m nuts, but I bet every one of you have the same superstition. 

Well, here goes mine!

1)      Never cross the finish line before a race.  Only cross it as a “finish” to a race.

2)      Never wear race shirt before the race.

3)      Never get a race shirt for a race that I didn’t do (ie:  volunteering, deciding not to run at last minute, etc.).  If I end up with one, throw it away immediately.

4)      Never get race gear (jackets, race logo shirts, bags, etc.) for a race I didn’t do.  I had pre-ordered Boston 2012 Jacket…this forced me to run Boston 2012.

5)      Always poop 3 times before a race.  For marathons, follow it with two tablets of Imodium.

6)      Use my ‘lucky bottle’ for ingesting EFS pre-race/sports drink. 

7)      Be nice to charity runners – beware of “purple curse”.  Making fun of them ends up in mysterious injuries.

8)      Always say “Thank You” to volunteers and people that call my name/number or make eye contact, even if I’m dying on a giant climb.

9)      Wear my special “lucky” panties in a big race (related:  Do not wear “lucky” panties as every day panties).

10)    No alcohol 30 days before race;  no gluten & no dairy 2 weeks to marathon.

It’s not that odd, is it?  I think it’s perfectly normal…And the last one isn't really superstition, but mere dietary goodness!

I would be observing each and every one of these for Brooklyn Half Marathon this weekend.  I’m still experiencing slight tenderness in the left shin, so even more reason to follow each and every one of these rules this weekend!!!!