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.

After having a few episodes of crippling pain that knocked me to my knees, I was diagnosed with gallstones. I was in my late 20's, relatively healthy and active. Yet, after having my surgery, it took me around six months to fully recuperate and feel like my old self. For this reason, I was surprised to find out that the only American female to hold the record for the 800 to 10,000 meter race, Mary Slaney, had over 18 surgeries during her career.

Mary Slaney, a slight brunette, was a popular athlete in the 1980s. From a kidney infection to chronic foot pain, she experienced a lot of ailments throughout her running career. Many of them led to surgery, which ended up causing her down time. For many people, these ailments coupled with surgeries would have caused them to hang up their Adidas. However, Slaney learned to take each episode with stride and continue on. This attitude earned her great success. Here's a laundry list of her accomplishments:

Records Held
American Record: 800 m - 1:56.90 (August 16, 1985 - )
American Record: 1,500 m - 3:57.12 (July 26, 1983 - )
American Record: 1 mi. - 4:16.71 (August 21, 1985 - )
American Record: 3,000 m - 8:25.83 (September 7, 1985 - )
American Record: 5,000 m - 15:06.53 (June 1, 1985 - )
American Record: 10,000 m - 31:35.30 (July 16, 1982 - )

Championships
1988 Olympics: 1,500 m (8th)
1988 Olympics: 3,000 m (10th)
1983 World Outdoors: 1,500 m (1st)
1983 World Outdoors: 3,000 m (1st)

Because of her long-suffering and undying fortitude, Mary Slaney was able to compete in races well into her late 30's. Today, she is retired. However, her legacy lives on. She was the little engine that could and did, regardless of the pain in her body.

Are you willing to bet on yourself? This question is one I've asked myself throughout the years. It started when I was age 10 and decided to jump across a wide, slippery ditch. Call me crazy, but a part of me just knew I could make it to the other side even though I'd never jumped it before. Guess what? I made it! It was an exhilarating feeling that led me to push myself to do other challenging things in life. Of course, all of them didn't work out perfectly, but the fact that I was able to take risks helped me learn to trust myself. It is a feeling that I've had to rely on in order to make some of the most important transitions in life that would normally seem out of reach for me. For this reason, I was really happy to hear about a renowned runner who'd done the same: Mensen Ernst.

Mensen Ernst was a Norwegian marathon runner who was popular in the 1800s. Considered to be one of the world's first professional athletes, he traveled the world betting against himself. From Europe to Africa, he ran to beat his own times. What was his most spectacular feat? Ernst ran from Paris to Moscow in 14 days. It was unheard of in his day and set a precedence for future runners.

In 1843, Mensen Ernst died on a quest to find the source of the Nile River. However, his passing wasn't sorrowful. For most of his life, Ernst had bet on himself and it led him on an exciting lifelong adventure. As a result, his life became a testimony to anyone who wanted to achieve great things. He showed the world that if you bet on yourself, you win. Use this lesson for yourself and make the upcoming year your best one. Believe in your abilities to make the necessary changes in your life to be happy and win in 2009.

If there ever were a Mohammed Ali of the track world, Wallace Spearmon could claim that title. He's tall (6'3"), sleek (185 lbs) muscular, intelligent and pretty. His name is often coupled with two words: sexy and runner.

As Fayetteville High School alum, Wallace Spearmon began his athletic career as an Arkansas Razorback. He dominated in the sprint events. As a result, he gathered several accolades during his college career. He was a four-time NCAA champion, five-time All-American, two-time SEC Champion and American record holder in 200 meter. These accolades were a sign; a sign that he'd continue to run and wow the world.

Wallace Spearmon ended his college career early and joined Nike's team. It was an event that took him abroad to other countries, leading to more wins and the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In 2007, he won a gold medal for the World Outdoor 4-by-100 meter and a silver medal for an USA Outdoor 200 meter. At the Olympic Games, he faced controversy for stepping out of his lane, which led to his disqualification. However, considering that it was his first Olympics, he represented his country well. Spearmon was also able to place high in several of the 200 meter heats, showing everyone that he is a stellar runner.

Wallace Spearmon will surely get his name a place in history as a record breaking runner with an excellent, professional running career. Like Mohammed Ali, he dances like a butterfly and stings like a bee. We will surely hear more about him in the future. My guess? He'll be a record-breaking runner in the next Olympics. Spearmon will be the guy giving the other runners a lot of competition and running squarely inside his lane.

A few years ago, I celebrated a special birthday. I did it with friends at a Caribbean restaurant. There was music, cake, delicious food and a lot of laughter. However, it was nothing compared to what one man did for himself just days before his birthday. Jamaican Usain Bolt set a new world record for the 100-meter race by running it in 9.69 seconds.

Born August 20, 1986, Usain is the child of Jennifer and Wellesley Bolt. Early on, they recognized their child's athletic ability. As a result, they allowed him to focus on his athletic skills while in school. This led to him winning a medal in 2001 at his high school's annual championship track and field games. Fast forward a few years and Usain was competing for a medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Representing his Jamaican countrymen, Usain Bolt pushed off the starting line of the 100-meter run with vigor and exuberance. At the halfway mark, it was obvious he realized he was far ahead of his competitors. Therefore, with raised arms and a pound to the chest with one hand, he celebrated his win. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Usain Bolt broke the standing record for the 100-meter race.

Now, all that was left for Usain to do on his birthday was to eat cake and ice cream. (I would say Usain would need to break out in a jig, but he did that a few minutes after the record was announced at the Olympic games. He even held up a pair of gold running shoes.) What a way to celebrate a birthday. Usain Bolt will never forget the year he turned 22-years-old. It will be a story he will get to reminisce about for years. And the rest of us? We'll be reading about it in the history books until someone else comes along and beats his record.

Does your school have a legacy? This question is one that crosses my mind as I hear about the antics of students across the world. For instance, at Redland High School, groups of untamed teens decided to dress up in banana and gorilla suits and run around town. It was an incident that was written up in the local paper and garnered a few laughs. It also increased the rental of the cult movie "Planet of the Apes."

Unlike the Redland High School, some schools have a more serious legacy. One such school is St. Patrick's Catholic High School in Iten, Kenya. St. Patrick's Catholic High School is special. Why? This school has a history of creating world-renown runners. And one of them was Kenyan Wilson Kipketer.

Wilson Kipketer was born in 1972 to the Kalenjin tribe. His early years were unremarkable until he met Olympic champion Kip Keino. Kip quickly recognized Wilson's athletic ability and referred him to the one place that he knew would hone his talent, St. Patrick's High School.

Kipketer followed his Olympic predecessor's advice and years later, his life took a turn. He began winning World Championships in running and even went to the Olympics a couple of times. His claim to fame was the 800 meter race. This race helped him win three gold medals in World Championships and a silver medal and bronze medal in the Olympics. Until this day, his record of running the 800m (1:41.11) has not been beaten. Today, Wilson Kipketer is retired.

So, are you ready to throw on a uniform and lace up a pair of running shoes? You might have to take a time machine into the past, but at least you know exactly where to go. When you land in Kenya, you too can train to be an Olympic hopeful. Just by attending this high school, you'll increase your chances exponentially.

I'm a Pisces. OK. There, I admitted it. I hate to tell anyone that I'm this sign because so many contradicting qualities are attached to it. Often, I hear how sweet, spiritual and loving my sign is (usually from other Pisces.) But then, I read astrological books, and they state people born under my sign are prone to be drug addicts, prostitutes and any human entity given to excess. It's a confusing, messy situation that contributes to my desire to skip over certain sections of the newspaper and head straight for the comics. For this reason, I am always happy to read about another Pisces who is living a decent life, like retired, professional athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee was born on March 3. She is popular for her current record in the heptathlon and prior records in the long jump. Although she ran during a period of time in which track and field athletes were pumping their bodies with performance enhancing drugs, she always steered away from them. Jackie was a strong proponent for staying drug free and doing other things to build up one's athleticism. This fact has maintained her reputation as a legitimate athlete through the years.

The other thing I like about Jackie Joyner-Kersee is that she used her fame to help others. Yes, she hooked up with Nike and enjoyed the publicity that went with that partnership. However, in the meanwhile, she started a few foundations to help others. In 1988, she started the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation in order to help struggling youth, adults and families. Later, she followed it up with a combined effort to start Athletes for Hope. Both of these organizations touch the lives of hundreds of people. And why? Because one lady, a Pisces, decided to turn her dream into something that expands outside of her personal realm. It's enough to make another Pisces, me, proud. Jackie is a great example of how an athlete can use their fame for good, and what a Pisces can do in her life.

Do you ever wonder who brought all the "glam" to the world of female athletes? Well, there are a few chicks in history who changed the game and one of the most well-known one is Florence Griffith Joyner. She was fashion forward when it wasn't even popular.

TV shows like SNL (Saturday Night Live) have traditionally made fun of the female athlete. Often played by a man, she was hairy, muscular and unattractive. Admittedly, I used to laugh at these caricatures. They were funny and played by comediennes that I love. Yet, through time, I had to eat those laughs because the image of the female athlete began to evolve.

Through the years, the look of the female athlete began to evolve and today, many are now considered to be fashion icons. Yet, these new female athletes didn't get to where they are on their own. They owe a lot to the female athletes of the past - the ones who weren't afraid to show a different face - an extremely attractive one. Who was one of the biggest influences? Track and field star Florence Griffith Joyner.

Florence Griffith Joyner was a runner who broke the World Record for the 100 meter in 1987. Her time was 10.49 seconds. She continued on for a majority of her life to be a star athlete, but one of the things that women like myself (and a lot of men) loved about her was her look. Florence Griffith Joyner was a beauty and had a style all of her own.

Florence Griffith Joyner's look was unique in her day for a female athlete. Her hair was thick and flowing down her back. Her make-up was noticeable (red lipstick, dark eyeliner and red blush). And her nails - well - let's just say they were multi-colored and longer than the average gals. Florence Griffith Joyner looked more like a Hollywood actress than a runner. She was totally glam in a field that was at times totally ho-hum. Yet, this gal could run.

Florence's ability to run and look beautiful at the same time is what truly influenced female athletes. She didn't have to buy into a stereotype in order to be taken seriously nor seriously compete. She was an individual and brought a lot of style to her career field of choice.

Sadly, Florence Griffith Joyner's life was cut short. And, in 1998 she passed on, but not without leaving a legacy of beauty that is mimicked today by well-known female athletes like Serena Williams. Her willingness to be glamorous allowed people like Serena Williams to follow in her footsteps with less criticism.

So now when I see those old SNL skits with manly female athletes, I understand that they are just stereotypes. Of course, I still laugh. I laugh hard . . . But for the right reason.

Steve Prefontaine is a runner who showed the world what it meant to give 100-percent. Find out how.

What I hate about going to the mall are the perfume girls. They always seem to be huddle around the same spot behind the perfume counter gossiping, chatting and looking their noses down on people who actually want to buy perfume. Yet, the biggest thing that upsets me is the fact that I don't think they are giving me their full effort. Their service feels like sloppy seconds and it makes me angry. I just want to get help from a perfume girl who is ready to give 100-percent. Is that too much to ask?

Giving 100-percent definitely means different things to different people. For instance, for a sleek, fit runner, giving 100-percent might mean running five miles every day. However, on the other hand, for a heavy, unfit runner, giving 100-percent might mean running one mile every day. Either way, each individual is giving his full effort. He's doing his best. This is what turns a person into a great athlete and why runner Steve Prefontaine excelled during his day.

What I love about Steve Prefontaine is that no matter what situations he faced in his running career, he gave 100-percent. The first glimpse you get of his drive was in 1966 when he was a freshman at Marshfield High School in Coos Bay, Ore. It was during this time that he failed to qualify for the Oregon State Meet and spent the next two years building up his skills and body until he finally was able to qualify in 1969. The end result was Prefontaine setting several national high school records. It was a finale he would have never seen without all of his hard work.

Unfortunately, Steve Prefontaine died at age 24 in a car crash. Yet, his legacy still lives on. "Pre's Rock" is a memorial boulder set up for this runner where fans can go to in remembrance of him. "Pre's Rock" is a reminder of the excellence of his running career and the fact that he gave 100-percent. It is a mentality that we call can use in our daily life whether we apply it to running, school or spraying perfume on a potential customer at the mall. The bottom line is this: if you want 100-percent out of life, you must give 100-percent to your life. It's a math equation that equals out every time.

Find out more about Carl Lewis, a runner who dominated the Olympic games from the '80s into the '90s.

Guess who's having a birthday on July 1st? Carl Lewis. He is one of the most prolific runners in history and his life has all of the elements of a track star: struggle, drama and triumph.

Frederick Carlton Lewis (a.k.a. Carl Lewis) was born in 1961 in Birmingham, Ala. It was a chaotic time in history because the civil rights movement was in full force. And, Carl Lewis' family was not untouched by it. Riots and protesting affected his parents, who were both teachers. His father was often attacked by the police. As a result, the family decided to move to a more peaceful, racially diverse town: Willingboro, N.J.

After the move, Lewis's parents started a track club. Little Carl and his sister Carol were a part of it, yet Carl wasn't the star. As a matter of fact, he wasn't even good. It was during this time he met a family friend, the legendary Jesse Owens. Owens gave Carl a piece of advice that would stay with him forever: Just have fun. Apparently, these words led to a breakthrough. Carl eventually entered the spotlight and had a headline-making running career.

In the '80s, he began to dominate the 100m and 200m. At the 1984 Olympics, he walked away with four gold medals and ended up breaking a world record. He carried this winning streak well into the '90s. By the time it was all over, he had 17 gold medals and the title "Olympian of the Century." The world praised Carl Lewis and, to the dismay of onlookers, he often praised himself.

Yes, Carl Lewis was known for his flamboyant hair, clothes and behavior. He wore a flat top. He dressed in unconventional, flashy clothes. And, he lived in Los Angeles and rubbed elbows with the stars. It was all too much for some people. It could be the reason why he didn't get as many endorsements. Yet, to a few of us, it was understandable. Anyone who had achieved as much as he did deserved to pat himself on the back. So, on his upcoming birthday, I hope the now 47-year-old Carl Lewis will be eating a big slice of cake and telling himself, "I did good. I did really good." After all, it is the truth, whether you like it or not.

Source: http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/3257/lewis.html

Asafa Powell is a renown record breaking runner. Find out what he initially planned to do with his life and how fate turned it around.

Asafa Powell is 25-year-old man from Kingston Jamaica who (according to rumor) initially planned on making his living as a mechanic. Now, this is a noble trade and one that would bring him a steady living. As a result, he filled out the proper applications and enrolled in school in Kingston, Jamaica. However, it was while he was learning to perform this noble trade that life took over and swirled him in a different direction.

Donovan is Asafa's older brother.

While Asafa was in school, Donovan was attempting to compete in the 2003 World Championships. It was a situation that caught Asafa's attention and eventually led him to also compete. This is no surprise because we all know that one of two things always happen between siblings. Either a brother or sister tries to keep a sibling from doing what he or she is doing, which makes said sibling want to do it even more. Or, a brother or sister tries to get a sibling to do what he or she is doing and said sibling buckles under the pressure. Regardless of the path, it's common for siblings to end up following down a similar path, which is why it's common to see a family of bakers, carpenters and politicians. Anyway - back to our story. Asafa decides to run professionally. Fast forward to the year 2005.

In June of 2005, Asafa Powell was set to run the 100m in Athens. It was a big deal because only a year prior, he'd run the 100m in the Olympics and failed to perform to his usual standards. As a result, this time, he was more determined than ever to run his fastest race ever. To his delight, while in Athens, fate granted his wish.

After the 10m race started, a crouched Asafa sprung ahead with such speed and force that no one could catch him. 9.77s later, he'd set a new world record that would inaugurate him as the fastest man alive. It would take 3 years for another runner to beat his time. It was a great feat for a man who only wanted to be a mechanic and a lesson to us all. What's the lesson? When fate is turning your life upside down and twisting your agenda in another direction, don't fight it. It might just turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to you. Your life might be being propelled into a new destiny that will give you more money, glory and joy than your "planned" life.

James Cleveland Owens is one of the most famed record breaking athletes in the world.

In 1913, James Cleveland Owens was born as the seventh child of Henry and Emma Owens in Oakville, Alabama. Right away, the family started calling him J.C. and the name stuck. As a result, when the family moved to Cleveland, Ohio and James started at a new school, he introduced himself as J.C. The only problem was that his southern drawl got in the way. His teacher and fellow students were unable to understand James' thick southern accent. So J.C. sounded to them like Jesse and this situation is what forced J.C. Owens to eventually go by Jesse Owens.

As most of you probably know, Jesse Owens is one of the greatest record breaking runners of all time. One of his most celebrated moments was in 1935 at the Big Ten held in Ann Arbor Big. After falling down a flight of stairs earlier that week and still reeling from back pain, he ran well enough to break 3 world records. They are as follows:

• 220-yard dash in 20.3 seconds
• 220-yard low hurdles in 22.6 seconds
• Broad Jump at 26 feet 8¼ inches

These record breaking events convinced Jesse Owens, who was a sophomore at Ohio State at the time, that he was ready for the 1936 Olympics. It was a moment that inspired him as well as others.

A year later at the 1936 Olympics held in Nazi Germany, Jesse Owens continued to break records. As a consequence, he ended up winning four gold medals and being the first American in History to do this in a single Olympic meet. It was an event that showed his strong athleticism and bucked against Hitler's idea that his Aryan nation was superior.

From this point on, Jesse Owens name was a staple in American history. Although he wasn't offered endorsements and other deals Olympic athletes get today, he didn't let this stop him. He used his athleticism to provide for his family in a variety of ways including as a motivational speaker up unto his death in 1980. However, even in death, he triumphed. Ten years after his death, he was awarded (posthumously) the Congressional Gold Medal by President George H.W. Bush. It was an honor well deserved because Owens showed humanity that when hard work meets up with opportunity it can do great things regardless of all of the barriers put in front of it. Therefore, he is a role model for anyone trying to do big things in life.

Source:http://www.jesseowens.com/biography/

If you were a child of the '80s, you thought the colors red, white and blue were a great idea for a hair color. The Cure didn't refer to a disease, but a rockin' band. And jelly wasn't a condiment, but a popular pair of shoes you could find in a variety of colors. Yes, the '80s were a different time.

The '80s were such a unique period in history that you saw public persona and acceptance change dramatically. An ex-movie star, (Ronald Reagan) became an American president. A man dressed in full drag and wearing dreads (Boy George) became a fashion icon. And women everywhere were showing up BIG in sports, especially within the arena of track and field.

In the '80s, women all over the world were running around the track faster than ever. Lyudmila Veselkova, Ella Kovacs and Mary Slaney all won medals due to their speed and agility. They were the new role models for little girls everywhere and a source of inspiration proving that being female was not a detriment in sports. Yes, in the '80s, it was a great time for a woman to own a pair of shorts and track shoes. So who is an unsung hero of this period? Doina Melinte.

Doina Ofelia Melinte is a Romanian woman who shined brightly in the area of track and field during the '80s and early '90s. Although you won't find her picture in the pages of any fashion magazine or on a TV show reminiscing on the '80s, you will see her name under the "Athletes" section of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Web. It is the first sign that you are looking at the legacy of a woman who took her sport seriously and fought hard to get her name in the history books. What was her biggest feat? Breaking two world records on the same day.

It isn't often that you hear about any athlete breaking a world record, but two on the same day? This feat is what separates Doina Melinte from several other female and male athletes. She showed the world what a person could do with a bit of determination and '80s vigor. Well, let's qualify that last statement.

Doina Melinte actual broke the two world records in running on the same day on February 9, 1990. Yet, it was an offshoot of all of her success as a track star in the 1980s. In the 1980s, she was also able to break records and win two gold medals. With this winning past and a lot of training, she broke into the 1990s to do her most memorable feat. While running indoors in East Rutherford, New Jersey, she ran the 1500 m in 4:00.27 and the 1 m in 4:17.14. Both times were records breaking runs thus re-establishing her name as a top athlete. From this point on, she would have one more memorable year in running and fade into the history books. So where is she now?

Today, at age 53, Melinte is back in Romania. What she is doing with all of her time is not readily available. However, I actually imagine her sitting on a beach, sipping a cool fruity drink and encouraging other athletes to aspire to greatness. While joking about the time she sprayed her hair pink, she's probably telling other young runners not to let the confines of society pin them in because you will never know what you can actually do until the whistle blows and your feet hit the track.

Sources:
http://www.canoe.ca/Track/track_records.html
http://www.iaaf.org/athletes/biographies/country=ROU/athcode=61238/index.html

Records, running

Evelyn Ashford is a track and field star who dominated the 100m throughout the 80's. Find out more about her and her secret source of power.

Evelyn Ashford is an American Athlete born in 1957 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Raised in a military family, young Evelyn moved a lot until the stars aligned one day and she ended up in Roseville, California. Back in those days (and now), Roseville was primarily known for its long relationship with the railroad. The schools were small and their athletics department had yet to develop a girl's track team. As a result, Evelyn ended up running with the boys.

Well, we all know what happens when a person does something unique, EVERYONE notices her. Whether the fanfare is good or bad, being "noticed" opens up doors. And this is exactly what happened with Evelyn. She won a scholarship to UCLA in 1975 and that led her into the sports profession and a record-breaking run.

It was 1983 and Evelyn wanted only one thing - to beat her rival Marlies Gohr. Marlies Gohr was an East German athlete who had just won the 100 m a few weeks earlier with a time of 10.81 s. It was an astonishing feat and no surprise to anyone since Marlies was a top female runner for years in the 100 m race. Yet, Evelyn knew she could beat her.

As a result, less than a month later, Evelyn crouched at a starting line with one aim in mind - to run the 100 m in less than 10.81 seconds. Either way, as she sprung forward into the race, fire was underneath her feet and she beat Gohr's time. She ran the race in 10.79 s. It was a record breaking run that would go down in history. However, like all people with the name Evelyn, this was not the last time we heard of her.

Evelyn Ashford ran on to more victories in track and field becoming one of the oldest women to ever win an Olympic gold medal. Years later she was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame. It was an event that would set her achievements in stone and let everyone across the globe see the power of a such an influential woman athlete.