Jun 26 2008
Visualize and Attack
One of my life goals, something I absolutely must do before I die, is to run a marathon. I’m currently training for the Marine Corps Marathon, which will take place on October 26. I’ve tried training for a few marathons before, but I’ve always gotten hurt about 2/3 of the way through the training process and been unable to run the race. (Not this year, though. Nope. This is THE YEAR OF THE MARATHON.)
I’m doing everything right this time around. I’m following a training program and being careful not to overdo it. After years of avoiding strength training like the plague, I’m taking personal training sessions, which will strengthen my hamstrings (which are my most injury-prone area) and keep me from getting hurt. I’m eating well and getting plenty of rest. I’m drinking water like it’s going out of style.
Oh, and I’m doing regular visualization exercises.
That’s right. Every single time I go for a run, I imagine myself running the last few miles of the marathon. (I’ve seen the MCM a couple of times, so I’m familiar with the course which makes this fairly easy to do.) I imagine the crowds of people lining the course. I picture my husband, my parents, and my sister screaming my name as I run by. I visualize myself running across that finish line, feeling the elation I’ll experience when I achieve this lifetime goal. Visualizing that moment gives me a huge surge of joy and energy and gets me through the longest of long runs.
Interestingly enough, visualization also strengthens muscle memory. I read an article (which, naturally, I can’t find now)Â about a tennis player who was injured and out of the game for a few months. As he was recuperating, he engaged in hours of “mental practice” every day–the same amount of time he’d dedicated to physical practice. When he was finally permitted to return to the court, his doctors were amazed to find that he was playing at 90% of his peak performance level. Amazing!
I’m sure you’ve all heard the old chestnut, “If you can believe it, you can achieve it.” And maybe you’ve also heard “I’ll believe it when I see it.” If you put all that together, you get this: If you can see [visualize] it, you’ll believe it; and if you believe it, you’ll achieve it. It makes sense, doesn’t it? I mean, if you can’t even imagine yourself achieving your goal, how will you ever have the drive, self-confidence, perseverance, and motivation to cross that finish line?
Do you have a visualization success story?
darn
my comment keeps getting eaten/vanquished.
Ill be back (please to read in AHHHNOLD’s voice)
Miz.
I predict you’ll make it! Sounds like you’re doing everything right. And paying attention to injury prevention is so smart!
My injury prevention strategy: ignore warning signs until significant injury occurs. Curse. Swear next time I’ll do it differently. Repeat.
Yours sounds quite a bit more sensible.
YES! I did the same thing when I was marathon training and it definitely works. Whenever you start feeling down about training, just keep in mind how powerful, strong, and AWESOME you will feel when you cross that finish line! It is sooooooo worth it!
I will have to try that for my run, I wonder if it works with pole dancing…the mind boggles.
From time to time I’ll play competitive tennis matches and I always spend the night before visualizing myself serving or placing balls. It’s kind of hard to track if it works in my matches or not, but that study is interesting. It certainly can’t hurt!
I totally believe you will do it! What an amazing thing to say you have done - the furthest I have done is 10k - a marathon is huge compared to that!
When I sat my driving test I was so anxious I downloaded one of those hypnosis things from the internet. It was all about visualizing yourself happy and calm in the test.
Before the test I wanted to cry I was so scared but once I was in the car I felt totally calm just like the man said I would and I passed first time!
The mind is a powerful thing indeed!
NOT YET BUT IT **IS** COMING!!!
my book.
Miz.
Running a marathon still seems so insane to me (but only FOR ME, that is…I LOVE that you’re doing it!).
For oldie sprint hurdlers such as myself, a marathon is anything over 5 miles!
That said, I enjoy running for the very act itself - and amazingly, all those cells by the trillions do their very best to accommodate my desires!
Good luck and have fun!
regards
mark mcclure