Race Day Clarity — Two Questions That Keep You Grounded
I recently finished reading It Takes What It Takes by Trevor Moawad, and there was one part I couldn’t stop thinking about. In a world full of noise, pressure, nerves, and overthinking, Moawad’s mindset boiled down to two simple questions when approaching a big moment—like race day:
Are you prepared?
Can you execute?
That’s it. No hype, no drama, no chasing motivation or avoiding nerves. Just two clear, neutral questions.
Let’s break them down:
1. Are you prepared?
This is your honest gut check. Did you put in the work? Did you do what you could with the time and life you had? It’s not about perfection—it’s about consistency, effort, and intention in all aspects of your training. If you’ve been following your training, showing up to long runs, hitting the quality sessions, working on your mental preparation and making smart choices, the answer is probably yes. And if the answer is “sort of,” that’s okay too—it just means we adjust expectations and focus on the next question.
2. Can you execute?
Race day is about doing, not thinking. This question pulls you into the moment. Can you go out and follow the plan? Can you stay composed, trust your fitness, and compete with clarity? Executing doesn’t mean hitting a specific pace—it means making the right choices as the race unfolds. Stay relaxed. Surge when the time is right. Dig in when it’s time. Finish strong.
These two questions simplify everything. They cut through the stress and doubt. They keep you grounded in what matters.
These questions fit right into that. They’re a reminder that race day isn’t magic—it’s a reflection of what you’ve done and what you can do in the moment.
So next time you’re toeing the line — ask yourself:
✅ Are you prepared?
✅ Can you execute?
If the answer is yes to both, then go let it rip.
Live What You Love,
~ Coach Dusty
