Mental Tips for Race Day

Running a marathon isn’t just a physical challenge but is also a mental battle. Here are a few tips to get you mentally prepared for the marathon.

First Third:

Start Easy
Don’t over do it at the start, your going to need all your reserves to get you through the race so its important not to get carried away at the beginning when your feeling strong

Run your own pace
If you’ve been training (and I hope you have) you’ll have an idea of the kind of time you’ll be able to run and the pace you need to set yourself. Don’t get disheartened as people over take, if your running negative splits or consistently you’ll be sure to overtale a lot of them later.

Relax
The first third of the race is going to be the easiest so try and enjoy it, stay relaxed – you’ll need that mental energy for later!

The Middle bit:

Split the remainder up.
Avoid thinking ‘I still have 9 miles to go’. Try breaking it down – ‘3 miles to go and then a short 10k race’.

Stay Mentally strong
Don’t give in to any self doubt –quitting is not an option, there is no way you will not make it to the end
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The final stretch:

Your body will be tired, forget about the signals it is sending you and move to a different place, outside your body. Concentrate on your surroundings, other races anything that helps.

Run a mile at a time
Break the course down into even smaller bits

Dig Deep
Remember the hours of training you’ve put in! This is what it was for. There is no way back keep pushing!

Pain is temporary pride lasts forever!