Among the most successful sports programs at North Allegheny, the Cross Country team is already off to the races as the fall season settles in.

Now, runners are lacing up their spikes, getting ready to run 3.1 miles every Tuesday and Saturday until November. With a total of 14 meets, runners must prepare both physically and mentally for the sport. Many runners even take on pre-race rituals to help get ready to run fast.

Selah Jackley, a junior, spoke about how she gets ready to run before a meet.

“My pre-meet rituals are listening to my pre-race pump up music and doing my hair fancier–with braids,” Jackley said.

Runner Justin Peoples, a senior, also shared his routine before each race.

“I always pray to God and my mom to help me run a good race and to also thank them both for the opportunity and talent to run today,” he said. “I also listen to ‘Fantasy’ by Mariah Carey before every race.” 

Another senior, Andrew Peigh,  shared, “I wear my jersey to bed the night before. Also, before every invitational a group of guys huddle and say the Lord’s prayer”

 Junior Gabby Pizon explained her pre-race traditions from all the way back to middle school.

“My lucky charms for when I run a race is always to have a lucky ribbon in my hair,” she said. “You will never catch me not wearing any sort of ribbon or bow in my hair. I have always done this lucky charm since middle school, so it is part of my routine by now and I feel weird without it”

When asked how she thinks these rituals enhance her performance on the course, junior Abby Gordish said, “Performing the same actions, eating the same food, and wearing the same outfit helps my mind to relax a little. It makes me prepared and ready to compete the next day. It lowers my anxiety and makes me feel better about myself.”

A 2022 study from the American Psychological Association found that ritualized behavior before sporting events helps athletes get in the right mindset and exhibit the most self-control. This shows tremendous positive effects while in the game, or in this case, in the race.

Senior Elinor Handel laughed about her must-have for every race.

“I have to wear those blinding lime green, bright pink, and black Nike spikes,” she said. “If you don’t see me in those, I’m not going to race well”

Ethan Voll, a junior, talked about his pre-meet routine that helps both his physical and mental state.

“Before a race, I do three strides, no more, no less.,” he said. “Periodically while I’m waiting on the start line, I’ll do several air box jumps like Noah Lyles. Once I do that, I get my breathing under control and swing my arms in front of my chest a couple of times. In general, I feel like everything I do on the line, psychological and physical, has a huge effect on how I race.”

For NA runners, something as small as the comfort of a repeated cycle can be the difference between first place and tenth. 

“It makes me confident because I know I have something to rely on,” Handel added. “I know that it sets me up for success.” 

And that confidence and success is truly what separates the good from the great.