People ask me all the time how I prepare for a race. Believe it or not, there is A LOT that drivers can do in order to be ready mentally and physically for race day. Growing up, I’ve always kept the equation preparation + opportunity = success close in mind at all times. Regardless of what your goal is whether it’s winning a NASCAR race, landing a dream job or finishing a daunting task, when you spend gruesome hours preparing, you will be ready for anything. That’s the motto I like to live by at least.
In the world of racing, there is a tremendous amount of waiting that goes on. The worst type of waiting for me is the obvious, the hiatus period between races. So, in order for me to keep focused and ready for the next race on the schedule, I have a few routines that I live by and try my hardest to stick to week in and week out. I’ve never fallen out of the seat from being over heated or physically exhausted nor do I intend to, so the most important way for me to prepare myself for the next race is to work my tail off in the gym.
Confession time…I grew up with a strong hate towards working out. I didn’t like anything about it, and I still have to pull myself out of the bed occasionally in order to get to the gym bright and early. But, at the end of the day I know that I couldn’t compete to the best of my ability without pushing myself at the gym. I do have a secret weapon that helps kick start those days where healthy is not in my vocabulary and that’s my trainer and nutritionist.
I don’t know what I would do without the guidance that I’ve received from both of them. They give me that extra ounce of motivation that I need in order to reach my personal goals inside the gym and out. Before I started my programs, I was nowhere near where I needed to be, but now racing 200 laps in the mid-summer heat is no problem. I plan on sharing my workout plan and diet to you all so be on the lookout for that in future blogs.
Not only do I spend a lot of days in the gym, I also spend many hours doing my homework before getting on the track. I devote time to watching videos from past races at tracks that I’m preparing to race at. I also have a racing simulator that I stay glued to during those long gaps between races. I like to call these tactics my study sessions. It’s important to gather as much information about the tracks I’m going to before I get there, especially the tracks that are new to me.
Furthermore, my life and job is ALL about preparation. I was always told that success happens when preparation meets opportunity, and I firmly believe that this statement is true. It has worked for me so far. The next few blogs will be all about breaking down my weekly routines leading up to race day. Get ready for behind the scenes access to my daily workout and eating plans, what my study sessions consists of and how I assess my progress before and after the race. I think and hope you will find it to be interesting! 
Thanks everyone for reading and as always, thank you for your support!
JO
