Remember when "The Secret" came out? For those of you who don't know, it was a book promoted about Oprah that encouraged people to use their thoughts and words to improve their life. Of course, it was a hit worldwide. Why? Intrinsically, everyone knows that how they think affects everything. This fact is especially true when it comes to running a marathon.

When you train for a marathon, your mind has to be just as strong as your body. If you don't believe me, check out the Zappos' blogs that talk about record-breaking runners. All of the great runners learn to overcome either personal or physical weaknesses in order to win. It's a part of life that no one can by pass. As a result, before your next marathon, you have to prep your mind.

You can prep your mind to help you run a marathon in two ways. One, you must visualize success. Two, you must tell yourself and others you can do run the full race. Start this process a few months prior to the actual marathon. Here's how to do it:

Imagine Success
Sit daily for a few minutes in a quiet place. See yourself running the course of the marathon and then see yourself crossing the finish yourself. Imagine yourself overcoming every obstacle that could get in your way like an aching knee, heat or weariness. Then imagine how you feel after accomplishing it.

Think and Talk like a Winner
When you talk about the marathon, let everyone and yourself know you will finish the course in record time. Think positively about it. Know that you can do it because of, or in spite of, past history. This type of mentality will keep you energized about the race.

So, are you ready to run the next marathon? I know your answer is "yes." Prep your mind and you'll be ready for the marathon.

If you like running, love adventure and enjoy the added bonus of getting wet, then the Springmaid Splash in Spruce Pine, NC, could definitely be for you. The Springmaid Splash is only a 10K race, but it's billed as an Xtreme Challenge, and there's a good reason why. You'll run through meadows and up hills, through rivers (several times!), along soft sand (gives those calves a workout!), and over rocks. At the end of it, you'll be pretty wet and completely exhausted but will have had an amazingly fun time. Plus, their logo is a dripping wet running shoe, so that has to tell you something, right?

The Springmaid Splash is named after Springmaid Mountain, which features prominently in the race. The 10K is known to runners as one of the toughest races out there, but it's also walk-able. So, if you really want to experience it but don't want to half kill yourself in the process, walking is perfectly acceptable, too.

There are actually two races - the 10K race and a 5K - both of which are run near the Springmaid Mountain Retreat, which is simply gorgeous. Picture rolling green hills, blue sky peaked with white clouds and fields dotted with curious horses and log cabins (where you can even stay if you like), and you'll think this place truly is heaven. There are also quite a few quaint bed and breakfasts, some hotels, cottages and cabins, so your accommodation options are endless.

You'll also see a lot of spectators at this race, especially around the river crossing areas, because it's great fun to see people getting wet (and cooled off!). They'll cheer you along too, even though they'll be secretly hoping you'll be soaked through by the time you get to the other side.

The Springmaid Splash is run every August, and registration is usually $25 for both the races, which includes a t-shirt, a goodie bag, refreshments, awards and even entry into some very cool door prizes. Oh, and they don't charge you for the couple of quick showers you'll get on your way across the river. Good value for your buck, I'd say.

The Hong Kong Marathon is one of Asia's top distance runs. Held in February every year, the Hong Kong Marathon next year is going to be even more popular than normal because it's the 150th anniversary of Standard Chartered Bank being in Hong Kong. Standard Chartered sponsors the event. In 2009, to celebrate this important anniversary, they're increasing the prize money for the full marathon to U.S. $100,000. What this means is runners from all over the world, who might not necessarily run in the HK Marathon, will be running in the race. In fact, it's so popular that entries for all the categories of the marathon (the 10K runs and the half marathon) are already completely full. Entries for the full marathon are also nearing overflow, so if you haven't signed up already and you'll be in Hong Kong in February, now is the time to do it.

Besides the prize money, though, what makes Hong Kong Marathon events so special is the location of the run. The 10K, the half marathon and the full marathon actually begin at different starting lines in Hong Kong, but they all finish in the same place - beautiful Victoria Park at Causeway Bay. Hong Kong has some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Just imagine running alongside the causeway and overlooking the water and the skyline. There are also around 45,000 people that participate in the event, and all those people, together with the scenery, really will give you a feeling of being involved in something special.

The Hong Kong Marathon is also part of the Greatest Race on Earth, a competition where competitors don their running shoes in four different marathons worldwide (Nairobi, Singapore, Mumbai and Hong Kong) for a total of more than $1 million in prize money.

Food banks are always really important organizations but are even more important in the present economic climate in the U.S. Many people, who normally don't need free food, are going to be heading to food banks all over the country this year just so they're able to feed their families. That's also why this year's 2009 Atlanta Hunger Walk/Run 5K and 10K on March 1, is going to be even more relevant than normal. It benefits the Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB), and last year, it raised more than $300,000. That money went to help hundreds of non-profits all over Georgia.

Atlanta's Community Food Bank (ACFB) is one of the nation's largest food banks. Atlanta itself has almost 15% of its population living in poverty (higher than the national average) and many of them need help with basic necessities. The ACFB distributes more than 20 million pounds of food every year to childcare centers, community kitchens, night shelters and to senior citizens. Many of these populations would go to bed hungry every night if it wasn't for the ACFB.

The Atlanta Hunger Walk/Run 5K and 10K isn't just about hunger and poverty relief though, it's also about fun. Thousands of people from all walks of life join together to walk or run one of these races, and in turn, make money for a worthy cause. The route of the run also winds through the city's historic downtown. Along the way, you'll be able to enjoy musicians and other entertainers, who really get into the mood of the occasion. Unlike most other walk/runs, the Atlanta Hunger Walk/Run starts late in the day. The 10K race begins at 1 p.m. with the 5K Fun Run/Walk at 2:30 p.m. As 10ks go, it's actually a pretty short event, as registration starts at noon and everything is finished by 4 p.m.

If you're looking for a fun thing to do on March 1, 2009, head out to Turner Park in Atlanta and sign up for the Atlanta Hunger Walk/Run. It's only a $25 registration fee, and for that, you'll even get a cool t-shirt. And after running the race, you can eat to your heart's content from the many food stalls that will be there, as well as enjoy carnival games and even a space walk, all while helping some of Atlanta's poorest of the poor.

Isn't it funny that the only time certain cities ever make the national news is when something goes wrong? Birmingham, Alabama, appears to be one of them. The only time you hear about it is when there is a scandal. Yet, this city has evolved throughout the years. It's now an integrated, prosperous area that hosts a fun marathon.

The Mercedes-Benz Mercedes Marathon is held in Birmingham during February. Just like the vehicle it's named after, the Mercedes-Benz Mercedes Marathon is a class act. Besides being well organized, it features a few crowd pleasers like a kids' marathon, relay and half marathon. To add to this, the goody bag for participating runners is well stocked with desirable items. What is the catch? The only challenge you'll have with this race is its course.

The course of the Mercedes-Benz Mercedes Marathon is held in all of the usual places. It's strewn across the downtown area giving you a chance to see the highlights of the city. The only problem is that it's really hilly. So, if you aren't used to running up and down hills, you will struggle throughout this marathon. However, don't despair. Just buy a cushy pair of Nikes and stop by several of the drinking stations. These two things will help you finish this marathon. After it's all over, stop off to a local restaurant for a traditional southern meal and visit the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

So, does the Mercedes-Benz Mercedes Marathon sound right for you? If your answer is yes, register. You still have time. Just visit their official website at www.mercedesmarathon.com for more information.

Come away with me to an island full of lush plants and rolling mountains. Sit with me on the beach and allow the ocean air to blow through your hair and bring you back to a time when you had no cares in the world. You were young, healthy and able to run for hours without ever getting weary. Okay. Now that you are fully relaxed, you can refocus your thoughts and imagine doing one more thing. What? Running the Whidbey Island Marathon.

The Whidbey Island Marathon is one of those runs you can turn into a mini-vacation. It happens in the spring when the weather is warming up, your bank account has finally recuperated from all of that holiday shopping, and you are ready for a break. This marathon offers you a chance to unwind with the entire family and turn a few days into something special.

There are many ways to enjoy the Whidbey Island Marathon. It has a course that trails along a majestic island surrounded by fresh water, a half-marathon, charity clothing drop and awards for participants of all ages. As a result, your five-year-old child and seventy-year-old grandfather have a chance to get rewarded if they finish in the top three of their age category. Oh, don't worry about getting them up to and back from the race; there are shuttle buses for that. The only thing you need to worry about is planning that special family dinner after the marathon is over and enjoying the island scenery.

So, as you can see, the Whidbey Island Marathon is the perfect mini-vacation. Therefore, come March, plan on packing up your sneakers, beach bag and windbreaker. You can use all of them if you participate in the Whidbey Island Marathon. For more information, visit their Web site at www.whidbeyisland.com/race.cfm.

Have you ever been on an action committee? I have. What's my definition of it? An action committee is a group of people who talk, talk and talk some more before they actually do anything. Yet, when they finally do take action, it's big. They change laws, erect buildings and even do fun things like sponsor marathons. For this reason, it's no surprise that the Lahaina Town Action Committee is hosting the next Maui Oceanfront Marathon.

The Maui Oceanfront Marathon has all of the markings of a well-thought-out run. Besides having the usual 26-mile trek, it also has incorporated other smaller courses. There's the 20-miler, half marathon, 5k and kids' run. In other words, the Lahaina Town Action Committee did all it could to inspire locals and tourists to lace up their Nikes and participate in their marathon. Too add to all of this, the committee also made sure the course included a lot of ocean scenery. If you participate in the Maui Oceanfront Marathon, you'll get a chance to see whales, colorful foliage and other things native to the ocean. It'll allow you to experience the great outdoors in a way you can't in many other places. However, if that doesn't turn you on, think about all of the surfers and other people at the beach. This marathon will allow you to meet an eclectic group of people.

Are you ready for a run along the beaches of Maui? If so, you still have time to sign up. The race starts on January 25, 2009. You can make running it one of your New Year's Resolutions. For more info, visit www.mauioceanfrontmarathon.com.

California is often associated with cutting-edge technology, alternative lifestyles and glamour. As a result, it is the go-to state for up-and-coming cultural trends. Yet, what most people don't know unless they live there is that the uppermost part of California is nothing but farmlands. Yes, that's right! Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger can drive 30 minutes north and step onto fields of vegetation. For this reason, it comes as no surprise that a northern California race - the Cowtown Marathon - was named after a four-legged farm animal.

The Cowtown Marathon is hosted by California's state capitol, Sacramento. It is normally held at the end of the year when temperatures are between 60 and 80 degrees. Besides live music, this marathon also has lots of give-a-ways, prizes, charities and food. Basically, the Cowtown Marathon has all of the amenities of a well-rounded race. Yet, these things aren't the best part of it. What sets it apart from other marathons? The course. It is really easy.

Yep, you won't have to buy a special pair of Filas or Nikes to run the Cowtown Marathon. The course is flat, fast and scenic. Therefore, all you folks who've never ran a marathon before should make this your first one. This run will give you the courage to tackle bigger and more difficult races like the Boston Marathon.

So, are you ready to face off with a cow? (Okay, it won't really be a face off, just a friendly meeting.) Then, consider running the Cowtown Marathon next year. It happens just before the holidays. And who knows? You might even run into the Terminator. It'll give you a chance to say the three words he's so used to hearing - "I'll be back!"

Remember all of those old movies centered on the Mojave Desert? Man gets lost in hot Mojave Desert. Vacationing family's car breaks down in a Mojave Desert storm. Five men searching for lost treasure out in the Mojave Desert succumb to the burning sun - only one rises to victory. These story lines are what put the Mojave Desert on the map. Yet they are also the ones that make people leery about visiting it. For this reason, I was surprised to find out that a marathon was focused around the Mojave.

The Valley of Fire Marathon is set in the Mojave Desert. And guess what? Unlike what we've seen in the movies, the temperatures are mild. They range from the mid- to high-60s during the day and drop into the 40s at night. So weather isn't an issue for this marathon. You can wear your regular shorts, tank and shoes with a little SPF on your nose. What is an issue is all of the fun you'll have running it. People come from all around to tackle the Valley of Fire Marathon. They do it because of the pre-run spaghetti dinner, challenging trek and prizes. It's these things that make people forget that the Mojave Desert has a reputation for sucking the life out of people.

So, are you ready for a run in the desert? If so, you should sign up for the Valley of Fire Marathon at www.valleyoffiremarathon.com. You still have time to register. The next upcoming race is on November 22, 2008 - just a few days prior to Thanksgiving. Bring your camera to the event. It'll give you something to talk about with the relatives over your turkey dinner.

The Sunburst Races in South Bend, Indiana have something for all the family - a marathon, a half marathon, a 10K, a 5K and a family walk - seriously, they have everything. More than 2,000 runners and walkers participate in all of the races, so they have everybody, too!

The Sunburst Races are held every year. In 2009, it will be their 26th year. They start every year's events with the Friday Night Family Walk. Like it says, it's a walk for the whole family (baby strollers and baby joggers welcome), and everybody who participates gets a Family Walk t-shirt. This is one of the few walks left in the country that still allows headphones, but organizers caution participants to be careful as they really don't want to scrape you up off the street later! (BTW, headphones are not allowed on the marathon or half marathon.)

On Saturday, the more serious events begin. The marathon starts at the College Football Hall of Fame (Notre Dame, of course) and is run on a pretty flat course with only one half-mile incline and a couple of minor hills.

The half marathon follows the marathon's first three miles but then veers off into Keller Park, finishing the race back on the marathon's course and on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. And participants in both races get cool t-shirts. The 5K, 10K and the fitness walk all start between 7:15 a.m. and 9 a.m.

Sunburst does a great job with services too. There are tons of water stations, Gatorade fluid replacement stations, energy gel is available on the course, and they even hand out bananas for that all-important potassium. But the best bit of all: there is massage therapy provided at the finish line by massage therapy students from Davenport University. I'd throw on my running shoes and run in any marathon if I had massage therapy to look forward to at the end of it.

The Sunburst Races also has awesome finish line food (last year provided by Meijer supermarkets,) and there was everything!

I really like the Sunburst Races. Indiana is one of the prettiest American states, I think, with its rolling hills, green fields and clear blue skies. When these races start early in the morning, you really feel like you're running in nature, so it's worth running one just so you can feel that. Right?

Do love you a good mystery? Me too. For years, I've had an affair with detective shows. It started off with Columbo and is continuing on through Monk. (There's something about a dark-haired, flawed man who's smarter than the average Joe that I find appealing.) When I heard about the Mystery Mountain Marathon, I was intrigued. I thought this marathon must involve runners solving a crime or answering a question, but I was wrong. The only mystery in this marathon has to do with its course.

The course of Mystery Mountain Marathon is not for the faint of heart. The course includes technical trails, extended climbs, bears and narrow footing. If you've never run a marathon, don't start with this one. Only seasoned runners should tackle it and only with special gear like gloves, in case they fall or have to grab on to something. What isn't a mystery about this marathon? This marathon includes the usual prizes, charities and diverse runners. (You know, the stuff we love.) In this respect, it's like every other fun run.

Does Mystery Mountain Marathon sound like it's for you? If so, you still have a chance to participate in it. The Mystery Mountain Marathon happens on November 2.

Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, is probably nowhere you've ever heard of. Most people haven't. Sleepy Eye isn't known for many things, but it is known for the Corn Day 10K and 5K runs. Every year in August, Sleepy Eye citizens hold Corn Day celebrations, and the Corn Day Run is one of them.

When I think of the Corn Day Run, I have pictures in my head of massive corns on the cobs wearing bright red running shoes (just like these), racing through the streets of Sleepy Eye. Behind them are little men wearing chef's hats and carrying huge pairs of tongs, desperate to grab hold of and boil the poor corn.

In reality, the Sleepy Eye Corn Day Run is a little less scary than that. It's a great day for the family especially as, with a 10K and a 5K run and a 5K walk, any family member in any kind of shape can join in. It's also more than just a run as there are all kinds of stuff going on after the race, including mini golf, a soccer shoot out, volleyball games, crazy bowling, a putting contest and free, buttered corn. There's also the annual Corn Day Parade with high school bands, floats, animals and loads of other entrants.

The Sleepy Eye Corn Day Run is cheap to enter too, costing only $12 before August 8 and $17 after that. You also get a free t-shirt if you register before August 8, so for twelve bucks, it's a great deal. It's a small race too. As of the middle of June, only 38 people had registered for the race so, if you enter, you've got an amazing chance of winning. Winners in both the men's and the women's categories get plaques, and if you complete the race, you get a medal. With corn on it.

So if you want a really small 10K or 5K run in a place that's 'real purdie,' (the race runs around Sleepy Eye Lake) enter the Corn Day Run. Sleepy Eye was also one of the trading posts on the TV series "Little House on the Prairie" so, when you get there, you might be surprised to discover you've been there before.

The spirit of the Chicago Marathon draws thousands of runners and spectators each year, and it is one of the most popular marathons in the United States.

Held every year in Cook County, Ill., the Chicago Marathon is one of the most famousmarathons in the United States. The 2008 marathon has attracted more than 50,000 registrants, which is quite an improvement from its humble beginnings of 4,200 participants in 1977. It has earned prestige as one of the five World Marathon Major marathons, according to its Web site, and is ranked just behind New York as of 2007.

The Chicago Marathon is unique for many reasons, not the least of which being that runners don't need a qualifying time to enter. The race has a maximum capacity of 45,000 participants every year, but elite runners can enter beyond that standard, as well as runners who are representing charitable organizations. The marathon is held in September every year, and draws a tremendous amount of press coverage and spectators.

Much of the Chicago Marathon's popularity is derived from its impressive sponsorship, which includes several dozen of the world's most popular corporations. McDonald's, Hilton, Energizer, Volkswagen and Nike are some of the most notable sponsors, and the entire event bears the Bank of America brand. In addition, a large group of charities encourage participants to run for fundraising purposes, including the American Cancer Society and the Red Cross.

Furthermore, the Chicago Marathon attracts runners from all over the United States in addition to 120 countries throughout the world. To date, the U.S. has the highest number of champions of the race, with Kenya coming in at a close second, and the U.K. trailing in third. According to the web site, this particular marathon has traditionally been more popular with men than with women, but that trend is gradually beginning to change.

The race itself spans 26.2 miles through the surface streets of Chicago, starting and ending at Grant Park, which is just a few blocks away from Buckingham Fountain. This marathon is also unique because, despite its length, it is relatively flat, with a top elevation of only 24 feet. Officially, the race closes six and a half hours after it begins, though many of the elite runners finish in a quarter of that time.

The Chicago Marathon takes runners past the "El", the United Center, U.S. Cellular Field and Old St. Patrick's Church. Much of the race is run with a spectacular view of downtown Chicago, particularly during the first and last mile in the vicinity of Grant Park. Many of the runners use the Sears Tower as a personal landmark and frame of reference for how well they are doing on time, as it can be spotted at several points during the marathon.

Even more impressive, there are a few runners in 2008 who have participated every year since the marathon's inception. The entire city of Chicago focuses its energy on this event in September, and many of the local shops even run sales in honor of it. The spirit of the Chicago Marathon is almost as important as the race itself, and it has become an integral part of Chicago's history and culture.