Visualizations

I have a little more than 11 weeks to the marathon. The exercise given for this training week in this book is all about using visualizations to help with the tough times, in the race and during training. Those times when your legs feel heavy and you're out of breath and when you're contemplating giving up. My run on Saturday was filled with these moments so I'm going to follow their advice here. They advise creating two short mental videos based on personal experience and a little imagination. These are supposed to be positive, upbeat and happy visualizations so be prepared here for a little cheesiness. The first should be about the best training run I've done. So here goes.

One afternoon in work I realized that for the first time in weeks I had 3 full hours without a meeting scheduled. I decided to take the opportunity to go for a run. I'm lucky to work somewhere that sits right on the bay, with a running path starting practically at my door and going for miles. The sun was shining but it wasn't too hot because there was also a nice breeze. I ran the same route I've been running every Tuesday for a couple of months now with my TNT 'buddies' so I'm familiar with it. I knew how long the inclines were, and where the mile markers were. There were little bunny rabbits poking their noses out of the long grass on the side of the path, then quickly backing up when they saw me, and hopping away furiously, tails in the air. There were birds on the telephone wires and in the trees, singing loudly about how much they like spring. It felt so good to be outside, in the sunshine, being healthy and free. I laughed out loud just because I felt so good. (Then I had to stop because that totally messed up my breathing.) That day I really enjoyed feeling like a runner. When I finished the run and looked at my average pace, I was pleased that it had improved.

The second mental highlights tape should be of what I imagine it will be like to finish the marathon. I think by that time I will have lost at least a stone (this is my imagination and I can picture it how I want, OK?) The temperature will be around 65 degrees (18 C) (average for Seattle at this time of year). I'll be wearing shorts and a tshirt with the TNT logo, hair in a ponytail. I'll be pretty exhausted but very very happy. For the last few miles my feet will really be dragging but all around there will be people cheering and yelling encouragement. My cheeks will hurt from smiling. My parents and Sean will be waiting at the finish line, with big smiles too. My Dad will know exactly what it feels like and give me a huge bear hug of congratulations. I'll be really proud and amazed that I made it.

So the trick is (and I'm paraphrasing here) that when you're feeling tired and negative and beat up, to imagine that you've clicked on the wrong youtube link (this is especially easy if I imagine the link came from stads) and you need to close the browser window IMMEDIATELY. Then you need to find the link to one of your own videos and play that instead. So you replace whatever negative thoughts you were having with this movie. And you play it over and over until it's at the forefront of your mind. Our brains can be easily tricked sometimes and when your imaginings are particularly convincing they will often try to make physical reality match their perception of reality. They go ahead and release all the feel good hormones and adrenaline that comes along with actual accomplishments and magically you feel better. I have to admit just writing out the descriptions of these videos has improved my mood today.

I think this is a good plan for everyone actually and isn't tied simply to training for a marathon. We all have days (and sometimes weeks) when we just feel down and unhappy. How great would it be if you could just play a video in your mind and feel better about yourself. Well now you know how. Try it. Tell me if it works for you.