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Tons of athletes have a single pair ofsocksthey just have to wear for every big game.
Hannah Peters/Getty Images
Whatever the token may be, for many athletes, superstition reigns supreme.
But when she packed for the Houston Marathon earlier this year, she decided not to take it.
I was like, Why am I putting any weight on this?
Its not going to matter if I wear this shirt or not.
It felt really good because it took all the power out of an inanimate object.
I didnt need the shirt to run fast, and I proved it, she says.
Dont let anything take away from how hard youve worked to get there.
And DAmato is looking to build on that momentum.
Just six weeks after placingsixth in the Berlin Marathon, DAmato will line up at NYC this weekend.
In the lead-up, I temper expectations and attempt to foster good karma.
Nothing is ever perfect.
I dont know why we expect it to be perfect on race week.
Plus, I know this sounds weird, but I also attempt to pay it forward during this time.
I live in the moment and attempt to put as much good karma into the world as possible.
The night before, I take in a bunch of carbs with my favorite dinner.
Rice and chicken is my favorite.
Pasta tends to be a little heavy for me, so rice is a really good source ofcarbs.
I eat around 5:30 p.m. because thats when I eat dinner every single day.
For me, its really important to stay in the routine.
I always encourage my husband to tell funny stories, and it keeps things relaxed and upbeat.
Then, I lay my gear out.
Im kind of an anxious person.
I have those dreams where I oversleep and everything I need for the race isnt there.
I can just grab my bag and go.
I usually take a picture of everything all laid out.
For whatever reason, it just feels like a right of passage.
I avoid beauty products that clog my pores.
Sticking to my usual skin care routinewith one exceptionhelps prepare me for race day.
The night before a race, though, I dont like putting lotion on my body.
It makes me feel sticky.
I like to watch something that inspires me.
And I give myself extra time to wind down.
I usually start around 8 p.m. because with nerves it takes me longer to fall asleep.
Im in bed a bit earlier, like 9 p.m., than I normally would be.
I give myself more time so it doesnt stress me out when I cant fall asleep right away.
Usually Im out by 10 p.m.
Especially on race week, I tell myself to just be good enough.
Sometimes you have those races where you cant fall asleep the night before, but you still do fine.
I reassure myself nothing is going to rock me.
Theres nothing I have to have in my room to help me sleep.
I try not to rely on sleep aids because if something isnt happening, you get stressed.
I like to tell myself, Keira, youre a really good sleeper.
You dont need it to be quiet.
You dont need it to be pitch black.
I can sleep through anything.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
