Marathon training -Advice on the mental push through.....

FitCanuckChick

Training for my first full marathon. Physically it is going awesome, but.....I feel like my brain is starting to tell me that I can't do it. My long run on Sunday wll be 36 km (approx 22 miles) and I really need some tips and advice from all the marathoners out there Cheers!

thavoice

Training for my first full marathon. Physically it is going awesome, but.....I feel like my brain is starting to tell me that I can't do it. My long run on Sunday wll be 36 km (approx 22 miles) and I really need some tips and advice from all the marathoners out there Cheers!

Running with someone really helps.
Other than that....maybe run to an area you are not as familiar with so you have a change of scenery. Maybe use a diff play list for later in the run with some newer music you havent used before.

Hell..reward yourself with something you wanted after the long run.

ElliottTN

Some things that helped me:

1. Break the distance down to smaller portions and concentrate on those. Like concentrate on just 4 mile sections in your head then move on as you progress. It is really defeating to think, well, I've got 16 more miles to go. Instead think, I've got 2 more miles to go in this section. Then move on.

2. If you are a analytic person like I am then read this:

http://www.irunfar.com/2013/06/peak-performance-and-the-selfish-brain-the-central-governor-and-its-role-in-100-mile-performance.html#.UbdMzR3YxFA.twitter

3. Great advice from other runners on here that helped me: Never introduce negative words into your thought process even with well intentions. Like don't say "I am NOT going to stop." Instead say "I CAN keep going." When you get mentally exhausted then any negative word you use in any context can more readily be changed in your head.

I am not going to stop.
I am not going to stop.
I am not.
I am not going to be able to do this.

This was a serious mind blown moment when I practiced this and found it to be true.

FitCanuckChick

I do train with a group - I think the beginning of my brain plaiying tricks on me was on my 34 km run - I had been a bit ill a few days prior, so I dont think I was as hydrated as I should have been pre run. So, in my training group there are 4 groups that end up pacing together - I was having to stop to refill my fuel belt a few times - so was unable to keep up with my normal pace group - I will still faster than the next group, so I ended up having a long, lonely run. I had to run alone on sunday becasue of a time conflict - so I feel like two sundays in a row my brain beat me up. This sunday I will go with my normal group and hopefully be pacing the same as others. I am typically not a super chatty person during runs - maybe I will have to talk alot. It is a big accomplishment for me - I really just dont want to hate my last month of training becasue of self-doubt.

rmdaly

Music helps me a lot. You might leave it off until you start getting those twinges of doubt and then start turning it on. It might drown out those inner nagging voices too.

Training for a marathon is about training both mentally and physically. You have to learn to deal with the negative thoughts - we all have them. Some people use mantras. When you start having the negative thoughts, repeat a mantra. I had a running coach who used to use "Pain is temporary, pride is forever" or "Finding comfort in discomfort" and there are others out there.

If you are running 22 miles, you are nearly at the end of your training. Don't derail yourself now. You are so close! If your 22 mile run is bad and painful just know that you got it done and the next time you do 22 or the race it will be easier. During the training run, work on ways to keep your mind occupied. When is your next food or water? If the distance seems too long, just get the next mile (or km) done or get to the next landmark. You can do it. Slow and steady and eat and drink properly and you will get it done. Trust in your training to get you through. Picture finishing the race.

Have fun! There's nothing like that finish line at your first marathon.

MarshallLuke

I'll be honest, I hate running with others. For me running is a meditation in solitary goals and striving to hit and exceed your limits.
That said, I love having something to keep me company, which is why I listen to audiobooks while training for my marathon. Last marathon I did I listened to the Harry Potter series.
Someone telling you a story while you run is a great way to spend 22 miles.

FitCanuckChick

Pain is Temporary - Pride is forever. That resonated with me. Better than my chanting in my head "I think I can, I think I can"

I do envision the finish line at times, so I will keep doing that as well. Good tip about the music - I listen the full run, but perhaps I will only use it when I need it.

Thanks for the tips everyone.

FitCanuckChick

I'll be honest, I hate running with others. For me running is a meditation in solitary goals and striving to hit and exceed your limits.
That said, I love having something to keep me company, which is why I listen to audiobooks while training for my marathon. Last marathon I did I listened to the Harry Potter series.
Someone telling you a story while you run is a great way to spend 22 miles.

You know I am kinda mad at myself - I told myself maybe I could download a spanish language app and start learning spanish - and I never did

Maybe I will download mockingjay.

ThickMcRunFast

Things that have always helped me:
1) embrace the suck - acknowledge that you will be out there for some time, then stop worrying about what you have to do after, or concentrating on how loooooong the run seems. Just say "yup, I'm going to be here for a while, and its not going to pleasant the whole time". I find if I can mentally accept that, i relax a lot. Then I start looking at the trees, or sky or whatever, and begin to enjoy being outside. The more I fight the fact that I am running 20, 25, 30 miles, the more unpleasant the experience.

2) Break the run up into smaller, manageable chunks. If you know your route, think of it as 4 or 5 sections, and then just concentrate on running the section you are in. This also mentally helps because you can think "oh, I'm in section 3 already! Over halfway done!".

3) If you feel bad, give it time. Tell yourself that you'll just hang on another 20 minutes. Usually that is long enough to rebound and start feeling better. Lie to your brain. Say "If I feel like crap in 20 minutes, I can quit". Your brain will believe you and start to feel better. Or your brain will believe you and you don't feel better, but then you keep going anyway and lie again "ok, another 10 minutes". It took practice, but I can game my stupid, gullible brain this way for a long time.

lbetancourt

have fun & laugh

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/marathon_do

good luck to you!

FitCanuckChick

have fun & laugh

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/marathon_do

good luck to you!

THANK YOU !!!! These are so great! I am going to look at them every sunday mornign before I go out

Speed training tonight. Actually looking forward to that. Cheers!

jturnerx

3. Great advice from other runners on here that helped me: Never introduce negative words into your thought process even with well intentions. Like don't say "I am NOT going to stop." Instead say "I CAN keep going." When you get mentally exhausted then any negative word you use in any context can more readily be changed in your head.

I am not going to stop.
I am not going to stop.
I am not.
I am not going to be able to do this.

This was a serious mind blown moment when I practiced this and found it to be true.

Wow, talk about something that seems so blatantly obvious but isn't. That's a great way of turning it around. The mental game is a huge part of long endurance races. Having gone through my own mental free-falling death spirals, I know that will take me out more than any physical discomfort I might be feeling.