Casa's Comments

B+ (be positive!) or Fail

Inevitably, all competitive runners reach a point in a race where the body fatigues and the mind must take control. What you do at this time usually separates a moderate performance from an optimal performance.
The biggest defeater of mental performance is a negative thought process. When you fatigue, you must find a way to “live in the moment.” Do not allow negative thoughts.
There are two methods of thought processing: association or dissociation; internal or external; tune in or tune out. Some people like to analyze their comfort level: “How arm my legs feeling? How is my breathing?” Others like to checkout: look at their surroundings or sing a song in their head to avoid thinking about the discomfort. You must find something or things that work for you. No matter what, it must be a positive thought. Practice it. Have a plan before you reach the point when you need it.

Here then, is my Top 10 things to think about when you feel like giving in:

#10 “I feel good enough right now that I don’t have to start playing mind games yet”

#9 “I’ve earned this pace with consistent training and diligent workouts” (Try to think about all of times you ran when it would have been easier not to.)

#8 “If I had to accelerate right now, could I? Is there still some ‘snap’ in my legs? Yes. I’m O.K.”

#7 “I’m comfortable with being uncomfortable. I know this is temporary.”

#6 Look around. “I can run with these people near me.”

#5 “I know I can run this pace for another half mile” (or quarter mile or until the next mile marker). Focus only on that segment, then, repeat.

#4 “I am slowly going to close the gap on the runner’ in the red cap’ ahead of me.” (then, pick someone new)

#3 “I’m going to Boston!” (or other goal like sub 2 hour half)

#2 “I have invested a great deal of effort up to this point (think of the mileage you’ve already covered), and I going to continue this effort.”

And the ultimate…

#1 “Josh believes I can do this, so I know I can!”