Photo Credit: Marathon Foto
America’s Finest City Half Marathon
August, 2008
“Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.” Gail Devers
Once you set your mind to a goal, take the necessary steps to achieve it! My goals for 2008 were to complete a marathon in under four hours and I did it. St. George was a 11 minute PR and is so far my fastest ever marathon. Rock N Roll San Diego Marathon in 2004, was completed in 410. I am very happy with my time in St. George considering all the circumstances leading up to it. Yes, I would have liked to run a 345 or faster, but that was not in the cards for that day. I know in my heart that I can run faster, so I will plan a new race in 2009 with a new focus and hopefully stronger legs!
For those of you training for your first half or full marathon, believe in yourself. Have high expectations and focus on the goal. When you’re out there running, focus on the positives of the experience. Do not let negative thoughts ruin your day. It makes a world of difference. Let the fans be cheering for you! When I saw signs written by children for their mommies, I told myself it was for me. High five any kid you pass. Smile and wave at the people cheering for you. Stay in the moment and relish it. I watched runner’s give up as I passed them on Saturday…just saying “I can’t”. It’s like when you say it and voice it, you can’t. Marathons are hard. It’s a long journey on race day, and the correct mental mindset is IMPERATIVE. Even if you’re training for your first 5km or triathlon, your mental mindset is either going to put you in the winner category or the “I can’t” category. Just think when you finish the race, you can add “marathoner” to your list of achievements.
I am raising my glass to you, readers. If I can do it, so can you.
8 responses so far ↓
1 bobbi // Oct 7, 2008 at 4:19 am
I couldn’t have said it better!!!
bobbis last blog post..Recovery Week & New Goals
2 Tracy Benham // Oct 7, 2008 at 4:23 am
Congrats. Sub 4 hour is a hard one for many people to break! Thanks for sharing all of your inspiriting and motivating articles, features & personal stories ( I love those
Cheers to you,
Tracy Benham
Tracy Benhams last blog post..Active Health Network: What kind of athletic shoes are best for your sport?
3 MizFit // Oct 7, 2008 at 10:29 am
Methinks you flatter us.
Ok ME.
MizFits last blog post..What’s that you said? I couldnt hear you!
4 Lance // Oct 7, 2008 at 2:14 pm
It’s all about having a can-do attitude! And you’ve got it!! You’re an inspiration of what can be done with hard work, dedication, and belief in yourself. And that spills over to others who see what you’ve accomplished!
Lances last blog post..Regrets
5 Running Knitter // Oct 7, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Thank you for this post. My first half is 12 days away!
Running Knitters last blog post..In the Zones…
6 kch // Oct 7, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Congratulations again. Taking 10 minutes off your PR is an amazing accomplishment any way you look at it.
7 Jill C // Oct 7, 2008 at 9:37 pm
You are an awesome running machine, Rachel!!!! Congratulations on a fantastic race and a great time too. Where did those running legs come from??? I totally agree with the positive attitude comments during the race too…makes a world of difference to stay in the moment. I love to take water cups from the kids at the aid stations along the way…he he he. You are a wise racer. =)
8 Terri // Oct 11, 2008 at 12:06 am
You know I saw so many people at the end of my marathon last week just walking it in. I only had that “I can’t” idea in my mind once at the race, at the 25.5 mile point, and my brother refused to let it stay in my head, for which I am so grateful. The right mental mindset is SO important, you are so right.
Terris last blog post..A few shout-outs – go ladies go!!!
Leave a Comment