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This is the full version to email to families.
Subject
When nerves show up, shrink the plan. Do not erase it.
Dear [Team Name] Families, Race-week nerves often show up in the stomach before they show up anywhere else. Some athletes suddenly feel like breakfast sounds impossible, every food feels risky, or they want to skip the whole plan because they are anxious. The answer is not to force a giant meal. The answer is to keep the plan smaller, simpler, and familiar. - choose foods the athlete already trusts - use smaller portions instead of skipping entirely - leave enough time so eating does not feel rushed - pack one easy top-off option if needed closer to race time This is also why some race-week fueling has to be practiced before the biggest meet. Gut confidence does not magically appear on command. It usually comes from a routine the athlete has already used successfully on harder practice mornings or earlier races. Families can help by keeping the conversation practical instead of dramatic. Ask what the athlete usually tolerates. Ask whether the portion needs to be smaller. Ask what should be packed the night before. If the athlete has repeated, significant GI trouble or cannot keep enough food in, that may need a deeper conversation instead of just more pep talks. This week, we are focusing on calm, tested fueling so anxiety does not quietly erase the whole race-day plan. If you want the free starting point first, join Aspire Runner Fueling Lab here: https://aspireperformancerd.com/runner-fueling-lab?source=coach-curriculum-email Best, Coach [Your Name]