I've been told that a marathon changes a person. I don't doubt that for a second, and can't wait to see for myself, but what about the journey there? I think I've already changed a lot.
Saturday morning I was on the treadmill, an easy 3k run before Sunday's 10k race. At some point during the run I lost myself. My thoughts on auto-pilot, tears start stinging my eyes. Mentally, I was a few hundred meters away from the finish line of the marathon. My eyes are darting through the unfamiliar faces lining the streets. Finally our glances meet, eyes are locked, legs giving anything they have left. I absolutely cannot wait to give Terron a big sweaty hug after crossing the line... there will be no other Mother's Day quite like this one I'm sure -- it's getting so close!
Do you visualize like that? Does it help you? I was kind of surprised I got so emotional... well, ok, not really surprised at all. This week has been such a roller-coaster of emotion so far, and it's only Tuesday!! :)
Just as visualization can serve as motivation, so too can music! If you haven't already done so, go check out Brian's Great Wall Marathon giveaway, a Big B Swag bag! He is looking for songs that pump YOU up to pump HIM up!
35 comments:
yea visualization is huge! you have to see yourself crossing that finish line, imagine how you will feel, prepare yourself for the pain, and hitting the wall, etc.
i do it all the time. most of the time it's happy, but sometimes it also makes me cry. hang in there, you'll be at that finish line before you know it.
and i do think finishing a marathon changes you as a person. anytime you set a goal that large and seemingly impossible and then overcome the odds it gives you a renewed sense of confidence and accomplishment.
I can't tell you how many times I have caught myself daydreaming during a run (outside OR on the treadmill) and visualizing a finish line... next thing I know, I have a big goofy grin on my face, tears in my eyes. Thankfully, I usually catch myself before raising my arms in the air.
It's going to be such an experience, Mel! I'm excited beyond words for you.
P.S. I had a dream about you last night. You came to my house at 6am to meet for a run, but I was still in bed and you were annoyed that I made you wait around while I got ready. When we finally got out there, I ran off without you anyway!
I woke up feeling so bad! LOL
I definitely visualize myself at the finish line. I think it is useful to chase away the negative thoughts that can creep in when you are anxious about a long race. You are going to have an awesome Mother's Day!
I don't know that I've visualized the finish line, but I've visualized being in the last few miles or whatever.
You are going to do great. I'm proud of you. :-)
It's fun to visualize while running...after all, what else is there to do??
Now I will need to do the same...but on my bike since the running is out!
This is going to be one hell of a Mother's Day for you and can't wait to read all about it and share in the excitement!
I think I'm getting as anxious for you to run your marathon as you are!! I can't wait to read your report.
I'll so be here cheering you on!!
E
I do this when I am dragging in a training run. I just imagine that it is the last mile, straight stretch, etc in a race and it really helps me get through it.
Visualization is key! I consider it practice, esp. for the last 10k of a marathon, since few people run that far in training-- if you can visualize those last few miles over and over, on race day you will feel more prepared because you will have that "experience." Or so I think. You have changed, you are changing, I hope some of the tears are happy pride at how strong you are!
I definitly use visualization. Depending on what your training for, the "finish line" visualisation is the best for of it. It helps when you want to walk, you pick the farthest you can see down the road and picture it as the finish line, why walk when the finish line is right there?
Visualization is SOOOO important to my running. And NEVER underestimate the poser of emotions. Your clear visualization and will to get you across the finish line will make the experience so much more.
And Mother's Day...PERFECT!!
I visualize ALOT.. and I get emotional during training runs...
PS ... What day are you thinking of the expo? I think I may have to go Friday, or maybe we can meet after the race. Let me know what works!
PS ... What day are you thinking of the expo? I think I may have to go Friday, or maybe we can meet after the race. Let me know what works!
PS ... What day are you thinking of the expo? I think I may have to go Friday, or maybe we can meet after the race. Let me know what works!
PS ... What day are you thinking of the expo? I think I may have to go Friday, or maybe we can meet after the race. Let me know what works!
I do visualize from time to time, I think it really helps once you are at your race and finally running it. When you're racing it's like you're on auto pilot, you just run and trust your training. Visualization is definitely a key component of training.
I think visualization is very important and helps me a ton. I love your visualization of hugging Terron, it doesn't get any better than that!
The only thing I visualized when I was running was how large the pizza was going to be when I crossed the finish line... that got me through.
A lot of people find value in looking at the course and mentally preparing for where they'll be, how they'll feel at different points. Definitely picture yourself crossing the finish line, but don't be surprised when it's 100 times more emotional than you could have expected.
I'm an emotional person to begin with then you throw this whole marathon thing into the mix and I'm a mess! The journey and the day will change you for sure :)
Always visualize what I may be feeling at the finish when training - that's why I started training in the first place! I thought it would change once I ran one but it doesn't go away. I can just visualize a little more realistically now :)
Visualization really helps me with those last 6.2 miles! I loved this post. It really got me to thinking more about what I have ahead this month.
Happy running!
Yes, visualization is a big help!
I've heard of marathons being compared to child birth... complaining about the pain, but then being giddy when it's over.
I guess I do visualize... I never really though of it as that. I like to picture myself running in the marathon, smiling & saying hi to people. When it comes to the finish line, sometimes I'm crossing with a huge smile on my face and other times I'm dragging myself across the finish on all fours.
This is going to be an awesome Mother's Day for you!! What a great day for a marathon! :D
I definitely visualize it as well! Checking out the WCOC triathlon course this past weekend has given me an idea of what to expect and I can see myself swimming in the lake or climbing the hills on the bike. Its going to be awesome!!
I cry like a baby during long runs and races. I've found it helps to visualize and get through some of the emotion ahead of time because it's really hard to run and sob at the same time!
I've tried to think about the last portion of my run as the final .2 miles that I really want to kick through strong... we shall see if it helps!
Mel, I can feel your passion in every post. It is going to be a huge moment and Terron will be so proud! You go, girl!
I visualize a lot too. During my marathon, there were so many times when I felt like just throwing in the towel...but the images I had of myself completing the race, helped me ignore the pain and keep running.
What an awesome Mother's day it will be! Visualizing the finish line will definitely help you get there.
I don't know that I've ever used visualization during a race, but I do know that finishing a marathon did change me in ways that are difficult to articulate. I'm more willing to take risks than I used to be. I'm more likely to think that I can do something, rather than I can't.
I was surprised when I crossed the finish line and sobbed like a baby...I wasn't expecting that at all!
You are going to have the BEST MOM'S DAY EV-AH! I'm sooooo happy for you!
My visualization is the finish line and all my people standing there cheering for me. I don't run with music (not race legal) but it's that darn finish line that gets me everytime...for the big stuff, anyway.
Hi Melanie
Congrats on the new socks! Best of luck with the big race as it is coming up really fast.
Take care.
Absolutely you must visualise your finish, as per my banner heading;
"Before you can accomplish it, you must expect it from yourself"
See the run, see how you are going to cross the finish line, see you finish strong, upright and smiling, then go give Terron a huge honking hug!!
we did a lot of visualization before xc races in high school, and i do it sometimes before a big race nowadays. get pumped mel! only a few days away - try to override the nerves with the excitement. you're gonna do awesome! :)
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Visualization is really important - you are going to rock it!
I think visualization is really important, I did a lot of that for this marathon. you are going to do great girl!!!
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