The Mental Game

[rosy1020]

So, 30 days left until the full I thought it would be cool for people to share how they push themselves through those last 6 miles or so. I've only gone 19 to this point so I know how the achy legs feel but I don't know yet how I'm going to get myself to run on them for another 60 minutes. Those of you who have finished can you share what things you battle at the end and also what you do or say to yourself to get through it? I want to go into this as prepared as possible for the mental battle

 

[Cruella de mom]

My last remaining time goal was to finish in under 5 hours so I just kept pushing. I would press my lap timer at every mile marker and would spend a good part of the next mile figuring out what I would have to average to come in under 5 hours. Math after mile 20 takes MUCH longer than usual.

 

[AmyBeth68]

The mental game....ohhh what a game it is. I think you'll find that it's much different in a race scenario than it is during those long and lonely training runs. I honestly believe the LRs are less about "preparing the body" and more about "preparing the mind". It's much MUCH easier to push through those last miles when you have people yelling, choirs singing, characters high-fiving, crazy people in lime green WISH shirts shouting praise and well-wishes. Trust me...THAT is what will get you through those final 6. On my trail, last week it was deserted and cold and my legs were screaming at me...I could have used some human kindness for sure. Even just a quick phone call to my running buddy helped me get thru those last 4 miles. So imagine what thousands of spectators can do .

Last year for me was BRUTAL and still I was able to finish...I started injured....and unfortunately developed some stomach illness to boot before the race. So it was just torture. And yet there was nothing like seeing some military folk lined up and high-fiving me....or hearing the CMs cheer me on . At mile 24 or 25 there was a brigade of WISHERS and that gave me a MUCH needed boost at the time. You have so many more resources during the race...utilize them...revel in them . The LRs stink...if you can make it through them...you can make it through the marathon.

You are going to do fantastic. Show up healthy and let the crowds and excitement that is WDW sweep you along to the finish.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

In addition to what is already said I figure that those last miles are my short training runs. I make it my goal to get past the sweep points, then Nothing will keep me from that finish line. I take everyone who is cheering as encouragement, even if the cheer is not personally for me. I use those anyway.

One foot in front of the other dig in, I figure that there are others sturggling with other bigger issues I can do this small thing no matter it may be difficult at that end. Encourage those around you and that will also pass the time.

 

[rosy1020]

That reminds me...I don't know if it aired back in the states because we have different TV over here and most of it is much delayed from back there. But...there was a special on a few days ago about the Ironman in Kona. Since we just vacationed there in June and know a person who raced in it, I decided to watch. Man, was it ever inspiring. People in their 70s racing, a blind man, many with injuries, touching stories etc. I know I'm going to picture these people when I just want to stop at Yacht and Beach, jump in the pool, and grab some Beaches and Cream food. Ok, maybe it will be more like collapse on the path and let someone carry me to beaches and cream but either way, if all of those people can finish that then I can definitely make it through this marathon.

 

[getnthinr]

For me, getting through a marathon is always a matter of segmenting the race into little chunks.

I always get excited at 13 (halfway) and anticipate 17. In the latter stages of the races, my self-talk goes like this, "17 Miles! Single digits!" (Meaning I now only have 9/8/7/6/5/4/3/2/1 miles to go from this point -- single digit miles to go.)

After 17, I start thinking, "Only three miles to 20 -- and from 20 there's only a 10K to go!"

At 20, I think, "In three more miles, I've basically only got a 5K -- a 5K! Anyone can do that!" then I start anticipating 23.

At 23, we're inside MGM and it's almost time to begin the chant that another runner taught me long ago, "Sidewalk, Boardwalk, EPCOT, and we're done." (Except it becomes a little rhythm exercise, "Side-walk, Board-walk, EP-Cot, and we're DONE" -- over and over in my mind.) Sometimes I say it aloud to someone who seems to be struggling. It really reminds me of how close we are to the finish and that medal.

At 24, you can taste the finish. The first step past that mile marker, I say "Less than two miles to go" (even though technically I know I have the .2 to go). And it's the same for the 25 mile marker -- one step past and (in my head, if not in actual inches) it's LESS THAN A MILE! A mile!!! And everyone is cheering and you KNOW nothing is going to stop you from finishing at this point.

My dad used to say when I struggled with anything, "Wendy, you can stand on your head for 3 weeks" -- meaning that you can tolerate anything if you know you only have to tolerate it for a short while. THAT is the name of the marathon mental game, as far as I'm concerned -- breaking the last few miles into short tolerable chunks and putting them behind you.

You're going to do great!

 

[Steffwalks]

Wendy, I haven't done a marathon, but I have done 1/2's and I play the same type of games in my head. I use even smaller chunks of time and space than you do, though. I have long told myself when exhausted (mentally or physically) and wanting to quit, "Just 10 more minutes. I can do anything for 10 minutes!" or "I can quit if I have to, in one more mile, anybody can do one mile" and then it's, "see, that wasn't so bad, you can do one more" or "easy as cake, I can do 10 more minutes!"

 

[tigger2esq]

I have only ever entered and finished ONE marathon. it was a small on in the town I grew up in. my DH was waiting for me at mile 20 and he jumped in a joined me for the last 10k. it was huge for me mentally becuase I lost my mental focus around mile 15 after my knee started bothering me. I kept telling myself I only had to get to mile 20 and then if I could not finish Jeff would just drive me home. of course that didnt happen. he jogged along side of me and those last 6 miles turned into cake. of course at Disney it wont be possible for that to happen but he will be at the end with my DD. and I will ahve the cheering spectators and each of the parks to look forward to and then the goal of getting that big mickey medal to go with my Donald from 2002...

 

[windwalker]

Learn to release your inner beast.

Inside each of us is a part that is not entirely tamed by civilization.

After the first few miles, when you are warmed and going effortlessly, let your mind wander within. Picture your wild side, I think of a great wolf looping along tirelessly. When later you begin to feel the strain and weariness of the miles let each step peel away another layer of your civilized self. Imagine your little aches and pains as making you feel more alive and in control than ever before. You are not tame you are a wild and beautiful creature moving with grace and power.

When I'm racing and giving it all I have to stay with the lead pack, I think of the pain of the effort as my choice to make, I can stop at anytime but I will be strong, I chose to let my wild part control that part of me that needs comfort. I will not give ground, I may be beaten this day but not because I gave up.

A note of caution though. Pain of effort is different from pain of injury. Pain of injury is sharp and should never be ignored.

Just a walking Panda

 

[Honeibee]

I agree with everyone who says the excitment of race day will carry you thru. I have never experienced ANYTHING like the cheering crowds at WDW races. After we came out from behind Tony's onto Main Street I said to Charlie "I feel like I'm in the Olympics!!!" OMG was it exciting!!!

That, coupled with "There is NO WAY I am going back to the WISH board and tell them I failed" keeps me going!

 

[tigger2esq]

I once read somewhere (probably on a runners world message board) to buy a jacket or shirt at the expo. you of course wont want to wear it if you dont finish so it will be extra incentive to keep going. LOL

 

[scoolover]

I called some people and asked for some words of inspiration. I never heard what they said but to have everyone know if you failed was a powerful motivator for me.

I also kept saying, "It don't matter how hard you can hit. It matters how hard you can get hit; how much you can take and keep miving forward. That's how winning is done". Rocky in Rocky Balboa. Boy did I feel like I was getting hit. ...and kicked ...and slapped ...and knocked around ...and...

 

[DianeL]

I agree with everyone who says the excitment of race day will carry you thru. I have never experienced ANYTHING like the cheering crowds at WDW races. After we came out from behind Tony's onto Main Street I said to Charlie "I feel like I'm in the Olympics!!!" OMG was it exciting!!!

That, coupled with "There is NO WAY I am going back to the WISH board and tell them I failed" keeps me going!

Totally totally agree! And I too keep telling myself that there is no way I'm going home without a medal so keep going. My inner chat goes like this...

you can do this
you ARE doing this
you WILL finish

well you get the picture. keep those positive thoughts flowing internally and soak up the cheers, screams and clapping oh and the scenery isn't too bad either

There is nothing like entering the MK on Race Day!!!! Everywhere else is amazing with the cheers and I could have cried with joy on seeing the Ticket & Trans this last year but there is just something even more magical about having the chance to run down Main Street to the cheering crowd. Love running thru the Castle too but boy oh boy I can't wait to hit Main St in January

Good Luck!!!!

 

[MyZoeJane]

Thank you guys...

I have been having a blue week. I had to take the week off of training because my knee is giving me a hard time and I've been feeling worried about what it's going to do to my first half marathon.

My training wasgoing so well until last week. I hope this is just temporary and that I willbe proudly wearing my Donald medal around Epcot on January 12th!

 

[chimera]

This is a great thread Kristin!

I can gut through lots of pain and discomfort, but I lose the mental game on most of my LR. I think if I can just get myself to MGM, there's enough entertainment from there to get me through the rest. I used some of the tricks mentioned here to help me yesterday during the 20. Thanks to everyone for posting their tips

 

[gatorphipps]

In my opinion, mile 20 is where the marathon begins....Running TO mile 20 is physical...but running from 20 to 26.2 is mental! I have run 7 marathons with times from 5:30 to 4:12. No matter where you are time wise, getting through those last 6.2 miles is hard. In my race report from WDW 07...I say this is where the mind games began. 20 miles is a LONG way! And there are 6.2 left....

With all that said...by mile 20, you have come too far to turn back. I set my face torward the finish and I determine in my mind that the marathon will not beat me today. It is a state of mind because the body is screaming for you to stop. I don't think "only 1 hour left" or "only a 10k to go". For me, at that point, thinking that way is too daunting...I think 1 more mile, I will run 1 more mile....when I get there, I think 1 more mile, I can do 1 more mile...and so on. I run in the moment...really for the whole marathon. Each mile brings it's own challenges so I cannot think of anything else but that mile I am doing.

Now all that said, the only time I did not feel this way was when I did the Goofy. I don't know if it was b/c I was running slower than normal or I trained to 12/24, or b/c I had actually passed mile 20 of running at mile 6.9 during the marathon (B/c 13.1 + 6.9 = 20 ) or if everything just came together and it was the perfect race. So you may feel great at mile 20...

Just remember, I learned this past weekend at my last marathon, respect the distance. And HAVE FUN! That is why we do this ...right?

 

[cewait]

For me the mental side of the race can be easy, if you are prepared. First a little background. My first marathon I finished with the balls of both feet completely blistered. We are talking red shoes and all. I finished last year 15 days post op from rotator cuff surgery. So maybe my advice is a little skewed as I tend to block things out. Here are a few things I either do or have tried in the past.

26 friends – once I made a list of 26 friends. I dedicated a mile to each friend thinking of why I thought they were friend and what they meant to me. Now some miles I really had to struggle to think nice things so put your really close friends for positions 20 and on. It was cool because as I talked with folks post race they were able to live part of the race with me. Most were really amazed that they meant so much.

Find a friend. Invariably you will run with someone off and on during the race. Say hi and keep the chatter going as you pass one another.

If you are running/walking with a few friends make it a joke a mile. Every mile someone must tell a joke. It doesn’t matter how funny, corny off color they are and they will get really bad at the end. We used to do this when I coached for a running club. It made the day go by fast.

Tie a rubber band on someone. You can’t use this all the time but sometimes you need help up a hill, to get to a corner, or a water point. Loop an imaginary rubber band on someone in front of you and let them pull you.

Remember that all journeys of 26 or 13 miles must begin with the first step. Break the race into segments. I start with 5 mile segments because the math is easy. When I hit the 5 mile mark I figure out pace, heart rate, caloric burn rate and intake and do a general assessment of condition. It’s also the length of the loop in the park where I make most intermediate length long runs. I naturally stop at the car during training and take care of anything I may need to do. Your beak up distances could be different. It may be mile posts, 5 k’s water stops, etc. Do break up the run into several small distances.

If you get to a point where you have broken down to a death march keep attempting to run. Look ahead and start running at cracks in the pavement and commit to running until you pass 2 cracks, or whatever you need just to keep the effort going. No matter how bad it feels you can usually pull something back if you keep working on it.

Think of all the tough spots you had in training. Remember that day when it was hot and you felt like stopping just after half way, remember how good it felt to finish (well after you recovered)? Take an inventory of these good memories and use them as you hit little tough points in the run.

Remember, we all will hit a spot that is hard during the race. It could be in the first 100 feet, mile 9.5 as you come up the underpass from Seven Seas Lagoon, mile 11 as you leave MK, mile 18 as you look into the sun on Osceola, mile 21.5 as you run that danged curve between Osceola and World, or that danged bridge between England and France. You must decide how you will handle that point. You can work through the tough spot or give in. Those little private thoughts you have at that point in time will determine whether you win or loose. The Navy Seals have a saying, “The only easy day was yesterday”. The path to fitness is an ever tougher road. You are all winners now get out there and have fun!