There are some runners who are prone to focus on situations they cannot control rather than the ones they can manage and be in command of.
The weather, road conditions and criticism are beyond one’s control. Can you do anything about these situations? Not much really – so you are on a level playing field because this applies to all competitors.
Have you trained in the wind and rain before? Most probably yes, so why the fuss. Same with the route and, yes, others are going to pass comments which may get to you whether intentionally meant or not.
Last week, we discussed positive self-talk and the importance of changing negative thoughts into more positive ones.
Today, the most important message in this article will be the following: ‘You are responsible for the way you feel. So, are you going to let someone upset you’?
On the day it is vital to focus on what you can really manage and that is your own performance and emotions.
Yes, you are responsible for your emotions. I clearly recall what a former 2008 Olympics medallist once narrated to me. After placing second in a very tense event, another competitor came up to him and said: “Well done, great job… you kept your cool. Not me, look… unfortunately I had a bad day today.”
And the medal-winning athlete replied: “What do you mean a bad day. You have been training non-stop four years for this.
“Your life has stopped and sport has taken over completely and you say it wasn’t your day? You have to make it your day.”
He was right and those wise words still ring in my ears.
Avoid situations which may trigger negative emotions. If there are people around who may rub you up the wrong way, then in the days leading up to the race try your best not to meet them.
You need to keep yourself as relaxed and stress-free as possible at this stage of your preparation for next month’s races. So, try to keep as calm and concentrated as possible.
Give yourself time to cook healthy marathon food and make sure you rest well. Plug earphones in and listen to music if you want to avoid the panicky talk of other runners that inevitably takes places just before the race.
Be careful though as the kind of music you may opt for could hinder your performance.
If you’re already well geared then don’t hear calm, classical music because you’ll end up putting yourself to sleep!
Stick to some music you enjoy which tends to pep you up… ‘We are the Champions’, or ‘Win the race’.
On competition day if there are a couple of runners of roughly the same ability, then the one with the better mental strength will turn out to be a winner.
So, may I once again remind you that whether you intend to challenge for places or if this is your first marathon ever, mental training will make the difference on the day.
Race route
Take this advice seriously… do not practice the race route as this would be extremely dangerous.
On marathon day there will be 200 officers directing and controlling traffic along the way and there will be 800 cones placed in various stretches of the route.
There will also be a campaign to advise motorists to avoid certain areas at specific times on February 24 and a number of ambulances and medical teams will also be along the route as a safeguard.
All this to keep participants as safe as possible. But, remember, there will be none of this on any other day before race day.
Just imagine groups of athletes jogging or walking on different sides of the road and crossing from one end to the other at different points with the normal traffic in operation.
To find out from where and when you can collect race packs that include numbers and T-shirts, go to the Race Info/Registration page on the marathon website.