These Running-Related Superstitions Are Surprisingly Common. Do You Share Them?

“Always put my spikes on plenty early before a race.” —laurie.jane2000

“I never tie up my laces if they open up during a run .” —gravity__45

“Right shoe on first...” —eldridgegeorge

“I ALWAYS put my left shoe on first.” —amymariehuckins

“I re-tie my shoes one minute before any race starts.” —bramblebrook.photography

“Don’t put your shoes on the bed or table!” —lgranahanv

“My laces have to lay flat, no twists.” —pama72

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“It’s maybe gross, but I can’t wear a clean sports bra on race day, has to have at least one wear. I have no idea why, but it feels wrong.”—just_keegs

“My race outfit has to color coordinated with my race shoes🤪 there can’t even be a variation in color tone!” —grace_o_86

“I make sure to bring my water bottle with a friendship bracelet my best friend made me tied to it.” —mermaidtriathlete

“I wear a cheap ladybug necklace my husband threw in my Christmas stocking a few years ago. I don’t think I can run a race without it now.” —adrianne_rondinelli

“I have worn the same pair of shorts for every half marathon I’ve ran since 2013. Lucky shorts. I also carry a small carnelian stone with me when I run—the stone of motivation and endurance.” — hookerontherun

“I have to be wearing my watch, even if I don't use it.” —anna._.grabowski

“That headbands make you faster.” —james_e_e

[The Best New Running Shoes and Gear for 2020]

“I hurt my foot on the first run I did with a pair of matching ‘fancy’ running socks. Since then it’s been mismatched cotton, dollar patterned fun socks only. I’ve been injured since then, but not in my feet!” —annasnotarunner

“Lucky socks that say ‘dig deep’ and ‘work hard.’ I put left on before right and only wear them for the race!” —boverstrum

“Randomly picked up a pair of Feetures socks one day on a whim. Every time I wear them to a race I hit a new PR, so I don’t dare stop now!!” —sweatycait

“I don’t keep race shirts from races that didn’t go well...and on the flip side—I wear race shirts from good races—especially long races to remind myself at a race that I’ve done it before and hopefully those good vibes are still with the shirt- also like to treat myself to brand new socks in my favorite brand for a half or a marathon.” — sketchbookbuttons

“Never finish a workout at 6.66 miles.” —ryfholtz

“I do most of my runs on a trail that goes through the woods, and I consider it bad luck if I don’t see at least one deer during my run.” —averyaveragerunner

“I always run counterclockwise on looped tracks, or on lake shores. Lake must be on my left. If I wear my Adidas shoes, it will invariably rain during the run. I never take the first cup of water at the water stand. If I meet a dachshund on course, it will be an awesome race!” —timesnewrunner

“If you’re not dancing on the starting line, you’re not ready.” —khelsa.denise

“Don’t sleep with your head to the north the night before the marathon. Don’t enter the race with your left foot. And most important! Don’t run under ladders.” —maratonlabbet

“I eat the same meal the night before. And I write my dad’s initials on my ankles (he passed away when I was 6 years old back in 1986), so he’s with me when I’m running, and gets me through the tough times.” —bryankrasovskis

“Prerace bagel with peanut butter and gotta get that second poop.” —krozar

“I have to have a mint chocolate Clif bar before any race!! It’s been a staple for three years now.” —tayl.rjade

“Whole sweet potato before the race. Oh and laying out my race gear the night before.” —presidenttroyc

“If your race bib number is divisible by 3, it’s good luck.” —shannonmdunlay

“The night before my first half, I dreamt I pinned my race bib on upside-down and because of it, I was dream-disqualified! Ever since, I put my racing shirt on the night before and pin my bib perfectly upright so I don’t get DQed!” —thepowerauer

“I struggle when I get even-numbered bibs…I have to have an odd number.” —lusoto

“I use the same safety pins for race day bibs that I used on my very first race.” —brycegm65

“Gotta braid my ponytail.” —enotti14

“Always get my toenails done before the race. That way the nails aren’t too long, and they look good before all the trauma they will be going through!” —id_rather_be_running

“I always paint my nails to match my outfit the night before a marathon.” —littlemissalx

“Don’t wear that race’s shirt until you cross the finish line. You risk a DNF otherwise.” —mollysocksrocks

“Never wear the race specific gear ’til you’ve completed the race. Especially the T-shirt!” —arogers31409

“Don’t wear the race shirt until you ran the race!!” —lizzyrunner59

“I won’t ever cross a finish line before the end of my race.” —brittdwhite

“Averting my eyes to avoid looking at the finish line if the course is a loop or otherwise passes by the finish before the end.” —biophilist

“I like to run through a finish line pre-race, and obviously never wear a race shirt before the race has been run.” —adampomerantz

“No crossing the finish line until you are legit crossing the finish line of the race, warmups or otherwise.” —runnerau

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