Mental Training

"Whether you think you can or you can't, you're probably right." I'm not sure who first said this, but I quote it often. Think about what those words mean with relationship to the things you do in your daily life. If you go into something with a positive attitude, it usually works out ok. If you go into something thinking it is doomed from the start, the result is usually negative. Now think about it in relation to your chosen sport.
   A portion of each and every training day should include some mental training. When you begin training for a race, regardless of distance, or begin your workout program, the goal seems so far away, and the road to it overwhelming. Mental training is paramount in reducing the stress involved in getting you there. A lot of runners training for their first races will often show these stresses by reporting dreams that have them running in the opposite direction when the gun goes, showing up late, or having to run in a snowsuit because they didn't bring anything else to wear!
   A great way to prepare yourself is to start by tackling all of the potential issues around your event. Deal with any nutrition issues in all of your long runs. Try out the clothes that you will be wearing, your hydration system, and make sure that you have shoes that are not brand new but are not ready to be replaced either. Look into how you are going to get to the race location whether in involves a race day drive or a flight and overnight stay, and how you will get any equipment there.
Now that you have the logistics surrounding your race worked out, it is time to look at the race itself.
   During training runs it is helpful to imagine race day situations for different parts of your race. For example, as you head out the door imagine yourself at the start line, what it will feel like, and what will happen when the gun goes. The typical reaction is to take off like you were shot out of a cannon. The smart thing to do is to hang back and to let others pass you, while you smartly save your energy for later in the race. This can be a difficult thing to do as you may feel the need to prove yourself by speeding up and not letting anyone pass you. Visualize yourself later in the race as you pass those same people as they hit the "wall". Positive self-talk is also very important. "I feel good today" or "I'm going to have a great race" takes you a lot farther then "I feel lousy" or "The weather is horrible." Continue to tell yourself positive things as you train by looking for the positive in every outing. By the time you hit the start line you will have no doubt in your abilities and will be positive that you will make it to the finish line.