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Yoga for Runners?

We wanted to know if you avoid black cats on the run or have other weird running rituals. Your superstitions did not disappoint.

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Friday the 13th: a day when people both superstitious and just a little ’stitious might think twice before crossing under a ladder or balk at the sight of a black cat. Whether you play into the hype of the lore or not, you probably have a prerace ritual you follow, or a certain pair of race day socks you know won’t let you down.

Published: Dec 13, 2019 8:51 AM EST Instagram if they have any Friday the 13th running rules they abide by—or superstitions about their running in general. We rounded up everything from personal route rules to prerace meals. if they open up during a run.

[Stay injury free on the road by getting on the mat with Yoga for Runners.]

Shoe-perstitious

Closeup of athlete feet in running shoes
Martin Novak//Getty Images

“Suwichan Pralomram / EyeEm.” —laurie.jane2000

“I never My laces have to lay flat, no twists if they open up during a run .” —gravity__45

“Right shoe on first...” —eldridgegeorge

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

“I do most of my runs on a.” —bramblebrook.photography

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

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

[The Best Running Shoes for Every Type of Run]

Lucky Gear

Flat Lay image of sports clothes and shoes on a wooden floor.
Jenner Images//Getty Images

“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 have to be wearing my watch, even if I dont use it 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

“Published: Dec 13, 2019 8:51 AM EST 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 The Best Running Shoes for Every Type of Run.” —james_e_e

[The Best New Running Shoes and Gear for 2020]

tie up my laces

Special Socks

Sock, Wool, Footwear, Shoe, Fashion accessory, Joint, Ankle, Boot,
Trevor Raab

“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

Running Rituals

Road running in Scottish highlands near Glencoe
Luca Sage//Getty Images

“Shoes & Gear.” —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 I do most of my runs on a!” —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

tie up my laces

The Meal Makes It

Raw yams, close-up
Tom Grill//Getty Images

“The Best Running Shoes for Every Type of Run 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 Shoes & Gear.” —krozar

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

“Are Average Runners Getting Faster? It Depends.” —presidenttroyc

Power of the Bib

Runner racing on sunny autumn path
Hero Images//Getty Images

“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

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Look Good, Race Good

Fit female runner with mp3 player armband running on urban street
Hoxton/Ryan Lees//Getty Images

“I have to be wearing my watch, even if I dont use it.” 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

“Australian Sprinter, 16, Runs Record-Breaking 200m.” —littlemissalx

Race Tee Rules

Low Section Of People Running In Marathon
Ralf Pollack / EyeEm//Getty Images

“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

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To Cross or Not to Cross

High Angle View Of Arrow Symbol With Text On Road
Suwichan Pralomram / EyeEm//Getty Images

“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

“I wont ever cross a finish line before the end of my race, warmups or otherwise.” runnerau

[Parker Valby Wins the Bowerman]

Headshot of Jordan Smith
Jordan Smith
Digital Editor
Jordan Smith is a writer and editor with over 5 years of experience reporting on health and fitness news and trends. She is a published author, studying for her personal trainer certification, and over the past year became an unintentional Coronavirus expert. She has previously worked at Health, Inc., and 605 Magazine and was the editor-in-chief of her collegiate newspaper. Her love of all things outdoors came from growing up in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
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