What about the Mind?

[princess aurora]

I have my plan and training program for my body but I was wondering what you all do (if anything) to help prepare the mind for the Marathon? I know so much of this event and long runs in general are as much mental as they are physical.

I have some pilates tapes I've yet to crack open and wondered if those might help? I don't do yoga but anyone have other suggestions on how they strengthen the mind?

 

[windwalker]

I have my plan and training program for my body but I was wondering what you all do (if anything) to help prepare the mind for the Marathon? I know so much of this event and long runs in general are as much mental as they are physical.

I have some pilates tapes I've yet to crack open and wondered if those might help? I don't do yoga but anyone have other suggestions on how they strengthen the mind?

Pretty Princess, strengthening your mind is what WISH is all about. The WISH prince and princesses believe in the magic that is in all of us.

Remember a bumble bee can't fly, it's aerodynamicly impossible. Yet the bee can fly. The bee can fly because the bee believes it can fly. When you believe all things are possible.

A phrase of power is helpful also. Find a word or phrase that works for you. I use several: "Relentless Forward Motion", 'Bring it ON" and "Quit is not an Option". For when the going gets hard, or I'm motoring up a bad hill.

Another thing I do is at the start I mentally prepare myself to face the demons of pain and fatigue that will surface during the races. When they show up I mentally run them off, refusing to give in to them.

Mentally Challanged Panda

 

[wtpclc]

The best thing for my mind was just that as I did each jump in my training program, I had motre confidence that if I followed it, it would get me there. Yoga is good for relaxing and great for teh body, but I don't know that it did anything to get me through the long haul.

The other thing that helps mentally is to break up teh race with landmarks. You know, eating the elephant one bite at a time. You can't thnk about how long you will be out there or how far you have to go.

My usual breaks are to WS, to teh loopty=loop toward MK. Tnt, MK, 1/2 way point, AK, over 2 bypasses, through out and back, MGM. BW, WS, ball, choir, finish line.

However, you get to a point where it's just to teh next mile or teh next turn or teh next tree. Once you make it to one goal, set up another achievable goal until you get in a rhythm again.

 

[Cruella de mom]

Follow your training plan.

You will learn as you climb in miles what works for you and what does not. And on race day, don't under estimate the power of the finish line!

For instance: I always carry my ipod with me on long runs even though I rarely use it. I know that if it gets too tough I can put my music on and push through.

Start by pushing for an extra 100 yards or the next mail box, then work up to the next mile. Or try it by minutes. Whatever works. Just continue to push yourself in small increments. The fact that you are already thnking about it tells me that you are going to do AWESOME!

Cecilia

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I have my plan and training program for my body but I was wondering what you all do (if anything) to help prepare the mind for the Marathon? I know so much of this event and long runs in general are as much mental as they are physical.

I have some pilates tapes I've yet to crack open and wondered if those might help? I don't do yoga but anyone have other suggestions on how they strengthen the mind?

Pilates is a favorite of mine for XT core strengthening. I've not done Yoga, want to though. I have also learned the joy of Ipod for those longer LRs. I don't always us it, but try to always take it at least on the LRs.

Biggest thing for the mind as WWDave has already said. Stick with the WISH Team! The spirit of WISH gets rolling for the "Big" WDW/DL events, as well as other events. There is the anticpation to share as everyone is posting their experiences, good and bad.

The entire training experience is what gets your mind into it.

Your experience will be like none other if you can get to posting on the weekly walking/running thread along with the other side threads. You will get to know your WISH Team members. Plan on attending the meet-ups to enhance your experience during race weekend.

 

[wdw4us]

I trained all last year for the 1/2 and found that by November a great peace had come over me. I knew I could do it. I did races here and there throughout the year - 5k 10k etc and they were not stellar performances but not walker friendly. Well the 5k was but that was in August in the heat.

Mark and I did a few 6 mile walks and they got easier and then during Chiristmas break we did 4 miles and one portion was a bad hill and I scooted up that hill like it was nothing. I was done the 4 miles and could have done more, same way I felt when I did the 6 - STRONG.

Mentally - what I did is I printed out the map for the 1/2 in full color and put it where I could see it on my desk all day at work, I looked at it and had visions of me here and there throughout the race. I think it made a big difference for me.

We went to WDW in November/Dec and took the bus to the MK from BW and I "saw" me doing the race. By the time race day came I was mentally ready and when it was done, I felt all the training had paid off, I did it, and I was not as exhausted as I had thought I would be - I felt pretty good.

Now where I know the mental part really makes a difference. Before I was done the first mile,I tripped on an expansion joint and fell. Scraped my knee, left hand and put some nasty holes in my right hand. 2 people picked me up, I poured water on my wounds and pressed some towels into it. It looked nasty but I HAD to finish the race. At mile 2.5 I put some Purel on it from one of the portapotties. Ya that stung but I knew I had to make sure I didn't get it infected. I finally went through the Finish line and had it looked at. Carried that bloody towel for quite a few miles so I could make sure it was disposed of properly and I was not bleeding any more but that Purel made it stop - now that sting will give you strength too.

I honestly think --- training 50%,--- mental attitude 50% - at least in my case. Mile 8, never made it that far - my mind said Oh well, I haven't been swept, Mile 10 - look at all those people BEHIND me. YUP I can do it and so can YOU!

Of course, I did the 1/2 your doing the full, more training and you will be fine.

Good Luck!

denise

 

[TriMom]

Hey! I have a great book for you - it the Non Runner's Marathon Trainer

I have used it for 2 marathons - they actual running training plan is simple, and geared for beginning running. You don't have any speedwork or time goals. It is only running based. But each week is a chapter that is divided into sections. And one of the sections is the mental preparedness training for the week (The other section is a story about runners who took the class, I thought that they were mostly inspirational).

I will admit that I did every mental training as religiously as my running, and I found that the tips really did work.

For my second marathon, I followed a different running training plan, but I went through the book again for the mental training and the running stories.

HTH