Race week at Challenge Wanaka has a funny way of making sensible athletes do strange things.
Training suddenly feels too light. Legs feel flat one day, springy the next. Every small sensation gets analysed. And somewhere in amongst travel, packing, and last‑minute logistics, it’s easy to forget an important truth:
By race week, the work is done.
Nothing you do in the final few days will make you fitter. But plenty of things can make you tired, anxious, or under‑prepared.
This final article in the series is about stripping race week back to what actually matters — so you arrive on the start line calm, clear, and ready to execute.
The biggest mistake of race week: trying to “top up” fitness
This happens every year.
Athletes start worrying that they haven’t done enough. They squeeze in extra intensity. They add volume “just to be safe”. Or they turn routine sessions into mini‑tests.
The result is almost always the same: heavy legs, disrupted sleep, and a nervous system that never quite settles.
Race week is not the time to prove anything.
Your goal now is freshness — physically and mentally. Short, controlled sessions that remind your body how to move are far more valuable than anything that leaves you feeling drained.
Keep training familiar, not impressive
The best race‑week sessions are often the most boring ones.
Short swims where you focus on technique. Easy rides with a few brief pickups. Runs that finish feeling like you could keep going — but don’t.
If a session makes you think, “That felt good and I’m glad it’s done,” you’re on the right track.
If it leaves you needing extra recovery, it was probably unnecessary.
Travel and logistics: reduce decisions early
Wanaka race week comes with travel for most athletes, and travel adds fatigue even when it goes smoothly.
The less you leave to chance, the calmer the week becomes.
A few simple things that help:
- Finalise gear choices early
- Pack nutrition you know works
- Avoid experimenting with new equipment
- Walk through race‑morning logistics ahead of time
Every decision you remove before race day frees up mental space when it matters most.
The quiet power of routine
Athletes often underestimate how grounding routine can be.
Eating similar meals. Moving at familiar times. Keeping sleep patterns consistent. These small anchors help your nervous system stay settled when everything else feels different.
Race week doesn’t need to feel special.
In fact, the more normal it feels, the better most athletes perform.
Managing nerves without fighting them
Feeling nervous before Challenge Wanaka isn’t a problem — it’s a sign you care.
Trying to eliminate nerves usually backfires. A better approach is to expect them and make space for them.
Nerves don’t mean you’re unprepared. They mean you’re alert.
The athletes who race best aren’t the calmest — they’re the ones who know how to stay focused with a bit of nervous energy present.
Race‑day focus: narrow the lens
By the time race morning arrives, you don’t need more information.
You need fewer thoughts.
Good race‑day focus is simple:
- Control the controllables
- Stick to your pacing plan
- Fuel early and consistently
- Respond calmly when things don’t feel perfect
Challenge Wanaka rewards athletes who can adapt without panicking.
This is where pacing ties it all together
Race‑week preparation isn’t about tactics — it’s about trust.
Trust in the work you’ve done. Trust in the plan you’ve chosen. Trust that you don’t need to force anything on the day.
That’s exactly why pacing matters so much at Wanaka.
A clear pacing framework removes guesswork when fatigue and emotion are high. It gives you something solid to fall back on when your brain is tired and the course starts asking harder questions.
Free download: The Ultimate Challenge Wanaka Pacing Blueprint
If you want a simple, Wanaka‑specific pacing framework to lean on during race week and on race day, you can download it here:
The guide pulls everything together:
- pacing guardrails for swim, bike, and run
- common Wanaka mistakes to avoid
- decision‑making strategies when conditions change
- a plan you can trust when it matters most
Race week isn’t about adding more.
It’s about arriving ready.
Good luck to everyone lining up at Challenge Wanaka. Race with patience, stay present, and let the day unfold.