I've created a monster! My home girl Michael (literally, she lives in my home), has started her own awesome blog ...
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| Michael blogging ... Jack sleeping, SHOCKER! |
If you haven't already, please check it out and while you're there please ask her nicely to ... LET ME USE THE FREAKING COMPUTER!!! We've been talking about getting another laptop for a while, so I guess this will push us over the edge. Seriously, how sad are we that we have to buy another laptop to support our new blog addictions.
She's training for her 4th Triathlon, and a half-marathon ... so along with being drop-dead sexy, she's pretty much a Triatha-stud! I'm sure you'll enjoy her page. But I've gotta warn ya - this is the same girl, who just yesterday bent down to pick something up off of the floor and hit her head on the counter top - like one of the "Three Stooges" or something! It left a knot on her head, so I don't know if today's post will make sense.
Tricky Six
As I get ready for the Austin Marathon this week, I would WELCOME ideas on any little "mind games" for mastering the final six miles of the marathon. (Or the last 3 of a half, if you've never ran a whole) Everyone knows the old saying "The marathon begins at Mile 20!", and I have found that to be completely and utterly
I usually feel great 'til about 21-23, but then morph into clinically insane for the last few. I've been seen talking to myself, and dropping cups of Gatorade because my hands all-of-the-sudden forgot how to close. After a marathon, Michael will sometimes ask how I enjoyed Indianapolis, Louisville, etc. I tell her I loved it, "but 24 minutes of it about killed me!" Maybe I start a little fast. Maybe I don't fuel exactly right. Or just maybe it's because the marathon distance is ingeniously diabolical and intended to challenge you like few other races.
Sometimes on long runs, I try to "trick my mind" into thinking I'm running further than I actually am. At about mile 16, I'll start telling myself, "Okay, this is mile 20!". Then 17 is 21, 18 is 22, etc. It's a little visualization method I use to convince myself on race day that I've ran 24, 25, & 26 in training ... but unfortunately my body knows my mind is lying to it!
The truth is, there are probably no short cuts. It's a grind that you just have to get through, with whatever means possible. But for some reason, getting over the mental hurdle at the end of a race is as big of a challenge as the physical one.
How about you ...
What is your crashing point in a race?
What do you do to get over the mental hump?
Do the last 6 miles tax your mind or body more?
... be great today!
