Yesterday went well for many of us, and I'm finally getting Mark's point about the mental challenges as well as the physical. I was thinking along these lines for the past 24 hours when coincidentally, the newbalanceconnections.com email sent out a note about positive mantras you should have in mind when the marathon going gets tough.
Now I have nothing against the Chicagoans who came up with these suggestions but their idea of positive mantras was: "you are feeling great, you are accomplishing something most people only dream of, because you started slowly you will finish strong, etc."
Maybe it's cause I'm from the Big Three: the South, the state of Mississippi and the Mississippi Delta, but I gotta have something a little more folksy and visual to tell myself, like:
"Get the lead out sister, you're falling behind."
"You can do it. You can do anything. You been married to the same person for over 30 years. You can do it."
(or if positive mantras don't work -- saying this to the person in front of me)"Hey, I think you dropped something. You keep looking for it. I'll go ahead and sent help back."
But, my all time FAVORITE (and it works) is the visualization of one of those legendary 15 foot alligators crawling out of the Rez and hustling down the trail after me. I'll throw him a bag of jelly beans or maybe a gel or two but he keeps on coming! Now this really works well when I still have a little ice left in those saddle bags with bottles (hydration belt) cause I keep hearing the rattle and thinking something or somebody is coming up behind me. It's an Alligator, Debra -- RUN FORREST, RUN!!!!
Debra
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5 comments:
Yea, Debra! You did great!
Remember in Forest Gump when he was running like the wind and those guys were chasing him in the car-that is you. Blazing your trail down that Oak Tree lined path! Go Forest, Go!!!! Now your Delta twisted mind is thinking-my ass is going to get squished if I don't get my Mojo On now!!! In fact that is motivation for me to keep up with you on the next long run! Go Forest Go!!!! Suzanne
OMG, I laughed so much at your alligator visualization...I think that will work for me!!!!
Cheryl
WHat a hilarious blog!!! Funny stuff! But, you did it! Whatever it takes to get it done...even if it's picturing an alligator on your heels!!!!!
I was thinking about the alligators Saturday morning. Great visualization, I'll have to keep it in mind for the rest of our runs.
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