Maybe I Already Have the Ability Within Me
I Did Some Digging
After a failed attempt at running a pace, I should have been able to master no matter what, I decided I needed to revisit what happened in my last run. I also decided to write a pep talk to myself.
A wise runner friend told me to believe in myself, and I thought I knew exactly what that meant. My first thought was, of course I believe in myself, why wouldn’t I?
What If I Didn’t Understand What It Meant?
One of my favorite quotes is, “Forget all the reasons it won’t work and believe the one reason that it will”.
What if I need to focus on getting my mind right ahead of a run or a race. What if that looks like visualizing myself completely successful.
So completely successful, that a crummy performance is not about my lack of ability.
What if a poor performance had more to do with diet, or rest, mileage or mindset? What if it had nothing to do with a lack of ability? What if I ran like everything I needed to crush a goal was inside of me? What if I trusted pain, and let it guide me?
What if I Set My Mind to Automatic
What if I only entertained thoughts that brought out the best in me? What if I programmed my mind ahead of time, almost like setting automatic as a pilot would do, or cruise control on a car would function?
What if I only put thoughts of me achieving my goal in the center of my mind?
Cheering Myself On
What if I maintained my confidence, became my own biggest fan, and rather than criticized myself, I cheered myself on? Knowing from experience, that if I run hard enough, there will be a part of the run that gets tough, a part that feels full of pain, and almost too difficult to push through.
It will be at that time, that I will decide encourage myself through the dark moments.
How Tomorrow Will Be Different
So tonight, the evening before I try again and choose courage over fear, I will visualize the 10K, that I am racing tomorrow. I will see myself starting out with confidence in my ability, and in the training I have put in.
Difficulty to hold a fast pace usually becomes more prevalent during miles 3 and 4. It is during those miles when pain begins to creep in, that I can see observe it, acknowledge it and keep running through it. It is in the middle of the run that I can visualize seeing myself encounter difficulty and move through it. I will be able to trust my training and run with my leg strength.
Then, at mile 5 and 6, when it feels exhausting, still too early for a final kick, but gradually making my way to the decent of the race, I will dig deep and run with my heart, knowing I have more to give to the run. I will not sabotage all of the other minutes I have spent working really hard.
I will not compromise what I showed up to do. I will continue showing up. The easy way out includes easing up on the pace, and allowing pain to settle in and hold me hostage.
And lastly, that final .2 that makes the distance complete, but also feels like it is never going to end is mine to take. It’s mine to own. I will have earned it. I will run it with pride. I will finish what I started.
Miles 1 and 2- will be run with my head.
Miles 3 and 4- will be with my legs and training.
Miles 5 and 6- will be with my heart.
Mile .2- will be with my spirit
A Wise Runner
I am excited for tomorrow. It brings a new mindset. Tomorrow’s race brings a wise and courageous runner who has the guts to try again.
It’s Time To Fly. It’s time to chase the Impossible.
Enjoying Every Mile 
I love this!!