The Pistol

Its Finally Race Week!
Today’s email focuses on what it will take for you to succeed at the Pistol. Ready? Be sure to read and review number 8.

1.  PRE-RACE Medical Services: If you want PRE-RACE taping or bodywork done, Dr. Jeanne Williams will be available Friday, between 12-6 pm, at the Hilton during packet pick-up. Walk-ups are accepted pending availability. However, we highly recommend you schedule an appointment ahead of time to secure your preferred time. Grab your spot now right here!
2.  Race Day Medical Services: The Quest Health & Performance team will be located in the start/finish tent for the entire race! If you are even slightly considering pulling out of the race for a physical reason before you finish, PLEASE go see Jeanne or one of her associates before you make a final decision! She has saved the races for some of the most discouraged, hurting and hobbling runners. Jeanne and crew will be providing stretch sessions, body work, blister care, compression boots, Theragun, taping, first-aid, medical assessment and triage. They will also be monitoring the warming tent for those at risk of hypothermia. During the race, services will generally be provided first come-first served, but with the following exceptions: medical emergencies will always take first priority and runners still on course will be seen before others. If you have finished your race, please be understanding of this for folks still on the clock. They will gladly take care of you as soon as possible once on-course runners are assisted and back out racing again. There is a $10 supply charge per body area for kinesio taping during the race. If you think you may need or want taping services and don’t want to carry money or a card with you during the race, you can give Jeanne payment info ahead of time and it will only be charged if used. All card types are accepted. Basic first aid & medical triage will be available at the Woody's aid station. There is no charge for medical services during the race, but our dedicated and mostly volunteer medical crew accept and always appreciate tips. Tipping is not required, but greatly appreciated! Over the years, many have asked about paying for these professional services or offering something to say thanks, so here's your opportunity!
3.  One of the biggest reasons the nighttime runners drop at the Pistol is because they did not expect to get that cold, particularly at night. They slow down later in the race, perhaps got wet, then got cold, and boom! They drop. If you want to be prepared and have a much better chance of finishing, carefully read and then reread the advice in the next paragraph. It could save your race and possibly your life.
4.  Weather Preparedness: If you’re like us and have been checking the forecast repeatedly, you know how much it keeps changing! Please keep in mind that the current highs in the 60’s during the day and lows overnight Saturday in the 40’s equals a prime recipe for hypothermia if you are not prepared! To decrease your chances of hypothermia, if you are going to change clothes during the race to warm up, please put on dry everything! You can’t get warm until you’re dry! That may mean changing everything from head to toe - hats, gloves, shirts, bras for ladies, jackets, shorts/pants, underwear, and socks (shoes if possible too). Be prepared for whatever comes...wet, dry, cold and warm weather! Sunday looks to be Sunny and a high of 52F.
5.  Most of you might l go out too fast. Don’t do it!! Remember, for most of us, the race doesn’t start until the halfway point. So don’t floor it at the start line and then cry when you run out of gas 3/4 of the way though. Instead, pace yourself, run smart, and you’ll have a MUCH better chance of finishing and getting the award you came for.
6.  Keep you blood sugar up. It will help you have a more positive mental attitude and perform better. If you get to feeling negative or sluggish, make sure you’re getting enough calories. It will improve your mood and energy level.
7.  Running a long distance race is more mental than physical. Expect the negative mental demons to start dragging you down, usually when you’re the most tired and discouraged. Don’t listen or fight them. Just ignore them. Instead focus 100% on what it takes to keep relentless forward motion. Keep your nutrition up, especially your blood sugar. It will improve your mood and energy level. Embrace whatever the circumstances are (rain, fatigue, disappointment, etc) and keep moving. Even if you’re only walking. If your brain tells you to quit, tell it to shut up. You will quit when you’re done…and not before. You didn’t do all this training, spend all this time and money, and come all this way just to try. You came to finish…so just do it!!

During The Pistol Ultra, Coach Phil, the Mindset Mastery Coach at Quest Health & Performance, will be joining the rest of the Quest Health & Performance crew and offering cutting-edge Mindset Mastery services to take your race experience to the next level!

In the realm of racing, especially ultras, challenges can strike unexpectedly, disrupting even the best-laid plans. As Mike Tyson famously said, "everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." He’s bringing an arsenal of techniques to help you navigate mental blocks and overcome setbacks. He’ll be onsite to help you stay focused and resilient throughout the race. So, let's lace up, face the challenge head-on, and emerge stronger on the other side.

Here's 5 ways Coach Phil and Mindset Mastery can help you finish your race:

•   Maintaining Mental Resilience: Experience techniques to cope with fatigue, doubt, and discomfort.
•   Decision-Making Support: Stuff happens, but don’t let fear or anxiety unnecessarily derail your race plan. Work with me to improve your ability to make effective choices that are consistent with your goals and best interest. 
•   Managing Negative Thoughts: Stop the spiral of negative self-talk and stinking thinking. I will help you Identify and challenge any negative thoughts (that aren’t grounded in science and medical advice), replacing them with your own inner-wisdom and constructive feedback.
•   Staying Focused: Maintain concentration with goal-setting, mental imagery, and attentional control.
•   Coping with Discomfort: Build resilience to reasonable physical discomfort with mindfulness and acceptance strategies.

8.  Please review the route you will be running, It will be marked with arrows on the ground and signs. But we encourage you to study your loops and turns.  Click Here to review your distance and please read the Route description. 

9.   All runner email updates are posted on the website after they are sent out. Here's the link.

That’s it for now.

Enjoy your taper week. We can't wait to see you at the Pistol Party!

The Pistol Team