80% mental, 20% physical?
Everyone knows in order to cross the finish line, you must train your body, but did you know how important it is to train your mind?
Racing is just as much a mental game as it is a physical game. Here are some tips to help you TRAIN YOUR BRAIN!
Visualize yourself crossing the finish line
Get outside your comfort zone during training runs
Be confident in yourself and in your training
How willing are you to push yourself? How bad do you want it?
Do what you can do at the moment and don’t look ahead
Practice Mantras; Make it short, uplifting, instructive, and full of action words:
“Run Fast, Go Past” or "The strong get stronger."
You are your biggest competitor, not the weather, not your family, not the race course, YOU.
Go beyond your zone!
I have run my first half marathon and and I was just worried about finishing, not so much about my time. I read the book Running Shorts (A collection of stories and advice for anyone who has ever laced up a pair of running shoes) and it was extremely inspiring to me. The author was right when he said just cross your first finish line and the addiction will begin. Now I am dying to improve my time. The addiction is unstoppable!