Race Preparation from Coach Don

Mental Preparation: You have done the training. You have put in the miles. There is nothing that you can do in the last two weeks that will significantly increase your physical preparation for the marathon. You are ready. You will do great in this race.

What can you do to help you mentally focus on the race?

Think Positive. With all the training you have done, you are ready for this race.
If you remember the mental fitness clinic, focus on the positives. Forget the negatives. Have confidence in yourself that you can do this. No sweat…

Visualize the race. You have trained on the race course. You know the race course. Think about how you have conquered the whole course and how much easier it will be with the crowd of the marathon. If you are time conscious, think about your race splits. Think about your time at certain points on the course. (See Daily Ti[ #13 Below)

Mental concentration. This is one of the most important aspects. You will be on the race course a long time. During your training you have developed the ability to concentrate for long periods of time. Keep that focus when you run the race.

Do Not Get Nervous. Most people get anxious before the race. That is very normal. Just do not let it get to you. You do not prepare for the race the night before. You have spent six months preparing. As you are ready, there is nothing to be worried about. Think of all of this as nervous energy. Use it. Channel it into your running to have a better race. There are factors that are not in your control (weather, for example). Don’t think of those. Only think of the things you can control.

Mental Toughness. I think this is one of the most important things needed for you to do well in a marathon. Everyone running goes through tough patches of the race. The last few miles for a first time marathoner are a new experience. You need that mental toughness to realize that a rough patch will go away or to push yourself through the last few miles when the body is questioning your toughness. Take control of your mind to control your body.

Race yourself. Yes this is a RACE. There are a few thousand other people out there. But in reality, you are not racing them. You are racing yourself. Whether you are racing for a specific time or racing just to finish, the only one who knows is yourself. Be happy that you are doing the best YOU can do.