I’ve been training and building a fitness base for the past seven months, and that will help me actually cross the finish line tomorrow. But even more than muscle strength or cardio capacity, I think how I prepare mentally will make or break the race. Here some of my favorite resources, tips and thoughts on whipping your mind into shape — something that can help you accomplish whatever it is you’ve set out to do.
Have courage as you face your challenge. Whether it’s weight loss, taking time off to heal, changing careers or running your first race, there will likely be something that scares you — questions like What if I don’t make it? As race day looms for me (lessthan24hoursI’mtotallyfreakingout), I keep reminding myself that whatever happens, it’s not about my final time. It’s about crossing that finish line knowing that I’ve run fearlessly and celebrating how magnificently hard (but rewarding) it was for me to get here. Like Steve Prefontaine said, “A lot of people run a race to see who is fastest. I run to see who has the most guts…”
Surround yourself with positive energy. This applies to the people we spend our time with, the media influences we encounter, and the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves. (What’s that quote? Something like “Whether you tell yourself you can or you can’t, you’re right.”) When my mind starts veering into negative territory, I often try to get out of my own head for much-needed perspective and inspiration. I read blogs by real people who have made incredible feats, I turn off the TV and avoid the media blitzkrieg of negative messaging (there’s a great post over at Half of Me about this), and I remind myself that if someone like Buster Martin can run a marathon, we all have the capacity to do some amazing things.
Be present. When I’m facing a particularly difficult challenge, I often find myself worked up into a nervous ball of energy (job interviews are the worst). Some experts, like Zen teacher Cheri Huber, recommend that instead of fighting those instinctual butterflies-in-the-stomach feelings, you take them along for the ride. Accept and acknowledge how you are feeling, but don’t dwell on it. Meditation and mindfulness are both tools that will allow you to relax and focus on the task at hand.
Visualize success. I always thought this idea sounded hokey. But it turns out that just imagining crossing that finish line, or being at a healthy weight, or any number of other things, has helped push me forward and kept me going. Turns out there’s science to back this old maxim up: Studies have shown that athletes imagining themselves performing at their peak level or winning a race experienced corresponding physical responses — their muscles twitched and their neuropathways fired as if they were actually competing.
Building these neuropathways with regular positive thinking is just one more way to boost your performance and stay on track with your goals. If you’re anything like me and have a hard time keeping track of your thoughts, let along controlling them, The Sport Psychologist has an interesting article on how to train the way you think.
Find your mantra. The leader of my running clinic, a Boston marathoner and all around nice gal, told us that when she gets to those last six miles she will pick out a woman running in front of her and think “I will catch you, and I will pass you.” She repeats this mantra over and over again, which helps her make it through that final leg of the race. So far, my mantras have varied from “don’t fall down” to “just a little further.” Maybe tomorrow, I’ll pick something a little more inspiring.
For more tips, check out this article by Jason Gootman, MS, CSCS.
Welcome to my UltraBlog. Are you having an UltraDay? I know I am. This UltraMorning, I got up and to take a shot of extra-virgin olive oil and lemon juice, followed by an UltraShake — all the while smelling vaguely of baking soda and Epsom salts from my UltraBath last night.
