At this final stage of my marathon training, more than ever is my need for motivation and positive thinking. A few weeks back, I did my longest run ever, and my next and last two will all be my longest runs to date (a 32K and a 37K) It was tough and it's going to get tougher, both physically and mentally. I have been training for the past several months for my first marathon - the QC International Marathon this December.
To increase my chances of finishing this marathon, mental training is now as important as my physical training. I have to train myself to believe that I can do it. I have to believe that I have what it takes. And I have to have the right attitude to make it happen.
Helping me in this mental training is the book, "Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer (Whitsett, Dolgener, Kole)." The book is based on a 'marathon class' that was offered in the University of Northern Iowa. It contains sixteen chapters which covers one week of the sixteen week training program. Each chapter has three parts. The first part focuses on the mental aspects of marathon training. The second part gives the training program for the week. And the third part offers tips and stories from people who have taken the course.
The first part of every chapter is what I find very useful now. It offers mental techniques that I can use to get me through the training and the marathon itself.
Three important ideas that I took away from the book are: setting the right goals and not setting myself up for failure; thinking positive; believing that I can do it.
As a first marathon, the goal should only be to finish, period. No time goal, nor a goal of not walking (definitely because I'm doing Galloway), etc. I should not let unnecesary goals ruin what will be a major achievement in my life - finish the Marathon!
Especially with the weather these days, and the very long runs, I can't help but think of negative thoughts. But a great but simple technique for staying positive that the book suggested, is to add "but it doesn't matter" after every negative thought.
Staying positive is helping me believe that I can do it. But one negative thought that keeps on coming back to burst my bubble is that after almost two years of running, I'm still a slow runner. And I frequently refer to myself as such.
This is major source of frustration therefore I should stop doing that. So this is my declaration ...
I may be slow, but in spite of this, I have finished more than a dozen 10Ks, and five 21Ks; I have never quit (DNF) a race ever; I have been running three times a week for around two years; I will run late at night; I will run in the rain; and if it is raining too hard, I will look for a covered track to run. And now, I will be running the Marathon. I am more than a slow runner. I am Just Another PERSISTENT Runner!
To increase my chances of finishing this marathon, mental training is now as important as my physical training. I have to train myself to believe that I can do it. I have to believe that I have what it takes. And I have to have the right attitude to make it happen.
Helping me in this mental training is the book, "Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer (Whitsett, Dolgener, Kole)." The book is based on a 'marathon class' that was offered in the University of Northern Iowa. It contains sixteen chapters which covers one week of the sixteen week training program. Each chapter has three parts. The first part focuses on the mental aspects of marathon training. The second part gives the training program for the week. And the third part offers tips and stories from people who have taken the course.
The first part of every chapter is what I find very useful now. It offers mental techniques that I can use to get me through the training and the marathon itself.
Three important ideas that I took away from the book are: setting the right goals and not setting myself up for failure; thinking positive; believing that I can do it.
As a first marathon, the goal should only be to finish, period. No time goal, nor a goal of not walking (definitely because I'm doing Galloway), etc. I should not let unnecesary goals ruin what will be a major achievement in my life - finish the Marathon!
Especially with the weather these days, and the very long runs, I can't help but think of negative thoughts. But a great but simple technique for staying positive that the book suggested, is to add "but it doesn't matter" after every negative thought.
Staying positive is helping me believe that I can do it. But one negative thought that keeps on coming back to burst my bubble is that after almost two years of running, I'm still a slow runner. And I frequently refer to myself as such.
This is major source of frustration therefore I should stop doing that. So this is my declaration ...
I may be slow, but in spite of this, I have finished more than a dozen 10Ks, and five 21Ks; I have never quit (DNF) a race ever; I have been running three times a week for around two years; I will run late at night; I will run in the rain; and if it is raining too hard, I will look for a covered track to run. And now, I will be running the Marathon. I am more than a slow runner. I am Just Another PERSISTENT Runner!
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