2

Mental prep.

Running my first marathon was pretty scary. I've always been told that running a half was fun and running a full was work. No matter how hard you train for a race it's still mentally challenging to get out there and do it. When you participate in a race, whether its a 5k or a marathon the mental aspect is very overwhelming. It's your first time ever participating in this type of organized event and you don't know if you're going to finish. You begin to doubt your ability to run the race, even if you've trained and have done that mileage before.

When you first get out there you see crowds of people. There are those who you will be running along side, and those who will be cheering you on. The announcer started to count down. And when that gun shot rings you start to cross that finish line. You first instinct is to run fast. You're pumped the crowds cheering and everyone around you is passing you up.

But no. Stop. You know your limits and an 8 min mile isn't where you're at. At this point you're full of energy and you think you can maintain this pace.  But you can't. You have to remind yourself you have 3 or 23 miles left to go. It's okay for people to pass you up. It's not a race. As you start to round the corner you see a sign reading your mileage and you know the finish line is coming up at this point you can sprint if you have it in you. But the point is to save your energy. In a long distance race you need every ounce of energy you can conjure up. That's what is going to help you finish your race.