IM marathon
EnduranceGirl2
Posts: 144 Member
I'm exactly one month away from my first IM and feeling pretty good about my training. However, now that the race is looming closer, the mental aspect is getting scary. So my question, what's your favorite strategy to keep yourself going at mile 18 when the finish is so close yet still so far away?
0
Replies
-
I'm exactly one month away from my first IM and feeling pretty good about my training. However, now that the race is looming closer, the mental aspect is getting scary. So my question, what's your favorite strategy to keep yourself going at mile 18 when the finish is so close yet still so far away?
I'm a big fan of not touching the Coke until about that point. It's like rocket fuel if you use it right.0 -
Aside from the aforementioned Coke (or whatever secret sauce your stomach is accustomed to), the mental trick I use between 18-20 is reminding myself of the countless10k's, races and training runs, I've done. I break the marathon into 2 ten milers with a 10k finish. When the inevitable darkness sets in at mile 20, I convince myself that not finishing the last 10k is laughable because I've done so many!
More importantly, to get mind my mind off the pain I try to think back on a set of specific 10k's. One in particular is the replay of a 10k Turkey Trot I ran in 1980. It was freezing but I cruised and broke 37 minutes. A PR that I never reached again. At the finish line was a girl I had asked out just once before. I thought our date was a disaster because I had rambled on about road racing and marathons. She was beautiful and captivating which made me so nervous I couldn't shut up. I assumed I would never see her again. During our date, I had blurted out how much I was looking forward the upcoming 10k on Thanksgiving because there she was at the finish line. She came out to surprise me. I feel in love the moment I crossed that line. Three years later I married that girl and she's been at every finish line since.
Dig deep into your mind and bring along on the IM any memories, images or inspirational stories that will spirit you through that 6.2.
Be well.0 -
To me the end of an IM marathon is about how much you can suffer. How dark a place are you willing to go to pull out the effort to keep on plan.0
-
Wow! Great 10K story. Thanks for sharing. Part of the fun of my preparation is having this conversation with numerous IM finishers and finding out the various reasons we do this. I've glimpsed the darkness during my half-irons, and my training has been intense enough to understand why some people ink themselves with a corporate logo after surviving its forge. Looking forward to more stories.0
-
The Galloway Method is a great way to keep your mind occupied. Most folks wind up walking toward the end. Jeff Galloway suggests with that in mind to start walking from the start of the marathon at a run/walk mix that makes sense to you. He talks about 3 mins on/1 off. A friend just did 4/1 and completed Lake Placid with the best marathon of his 3 Ironman races. By watching the clock, your mind is kept occupied. During my two IMs, I focused on picturing myself crossing the finish line consciously drawing power from the world around me. It's an idea I got from Fit Soul, Fit Body by Mark Allen. There was never a doubt. it becomes spiritual. The mental aspect is on top of the focus on constant fueling and hydration, naturally. Good luck.0
-
From the beginning of the run I look at the marathon as 26 - one mile intervals with a .2 mi victory sprint. Aid station to aid station keeps small goals always in sight. I always walk the aid station, taking 45-60 seconds to reset myself. This is just what works for me.0
-
Please keep those tips and stories coming. I just did a century ride on not huge but relentless rolling hills similar to the Louisville course. My short 2 mi brick felt good enough that I could imagine myself going a lot longer which was a huge confidence boost. Chunking the run into shorter segments, planning positive things to think about ( "Timber" was in my head all day today. Need more variety in my mental playlist :-). ) and staying hydrated and fueled seem to be the common themes.0
-
Looking forward to seeing your race report... best of luck to you !0
-
IM Louisville mission accomplished! Ups and downs as expected, but overall a great day. I'll post my race report as a blog once I write it up. Thank you for all the support and suggestions.0
-
Congrats!0
-
Due to heat I understand it was a death march. Congrats on the achievement! I hope you are resting/recovering well.0
-
I'm looking forward to it. Can you post a link to your blog in this group?0
-
It's longer than I intended, but my race report is posted at http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/tri4life854 . For now it's open to all MFP members, but I'll probably restrict it to friends in a week or so. It was an incredible day and your support and encouragement helped me feel well prepared.0
-
Thank you so very much for the summary. A great read. I felt like I was there alongside you (thankfully I wasn't).
Be well.0 -
Congrats! My friend did that race too as her first IM!0
-
Thanks for sharing your story! Are you planning another one for next year?0
