Visualization is POWERFUL!
Signed up for a race? Start practicing visualization now!
Envision yourself running the race in its entirety. Feel the butterflies in your stomach at the start. See the road, crowds, landmarks, and hills. Visualize yourself gliding effortlessly through the race but also see yourself encountering discomfort and pushing through. What does that feel like? How will you shift your thoughts and mindset?
Picture the time on the clock and you pushing pause and save on your watch. What does that feel like? What do you see? Feel the rush in your legs and body after crossing the finish line. Feel the medal being placed around your neck. How proud do you feel? Embrace the joy and the feeling of accomplishment of reaching your goal.
Maybe you have a hard time visualizing something without actually seeing it? I definitely do!
Search the race on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, etc., to see if anyone has uploaded a course video or parts of the course in their videos. If you get lucky, the race company has a course video on their website! Watch the videos and familiarize yourself with landmarks and the road.
If you live near the course or you’ll be traveling to the course before race day, drive or bike the course. Even better, run parts of the course during your training. Get familiar with the sights, sounds, turns, etc. If you will be traveling to the race and have access to a car, drive the course when you arrive. Soak in as much as possible and pick a few things that you can remember and/or look forward to. Your brain likes familiarity.
Prepare for all the good things, but also prepare for the worst.
Prepare for every situation.
What happens if race day is really hot? What if it’s a downpour and freezing rain? What if you get food poisoning the day prior? What will your attitude be like? How will you adjust your strategy? How will you shift your mindset around your goals?
Flexibility is important and mindset training helps with this. Each week during your training take a little bit of time and think “What may the conditions be like during my race? And am I ready it?”
What about during the race? What if you run into GI distress? Or you feel pain? Ask yourself “What can I do to get to the finish line?” Take a second to pause and evaluate how bad the situation is. If it’s not actually pain or an injury, replace the uncomfortable feeling in your legs by focusing on your arms or your running form – shift your focus.
Use visualization to help you on race day! Check out more race week tips here.
Not quite sure HOW to visualize yourself running the race or WHAT else to visualize?
