Mental Training

Mental training has been the topic of conversation lately. I had a great year of racing in 2007 with many PRs. But, I finished the season on a downward slope culminating with an unsuccessful marathon. Okay, I bombed it. So, I scoured every training log I had trying to find the answer. Out of shape? Bad nutrition? Burned out? Too many marathons this year?

Several friends have said to me it was my mind...the mental aspect of my racing. I was indeed in very good shape and ready to run well. I did run well, too, until I (wince) quit the race. Well, I didn't quit literally, but I quit racing. I lost focus. I "checked out" of the race. Was I burned out from racing, hungry, cramping, and miserable? Yes, indeed. There were quite a few things that seemed to go wrong for me that day. But, if I toe up to the line, I better be able to battle through it from start to finish. Sometimes I stop caring in a race...I just want to finish and don't care if I am running well or giving everything I can.

Well, I have to care about this because I am doing IMF this year. I can't check out, or lose focus, or give up, or gulp...quit mentally. So, there is swim, bike, run, nutrition, and mental. Don't neglect the mental.

Yesterday I went on a solo bike ride for 33 miles. This is something I don't enjoy, mainly because I hate Memphis traffic. But, I did it...and reminded myself that mental training is also about doing the work when you don't want to.

So, 2008 is going to be a time to put positive training and thoughts into our bodies and minds.

Here are some quotes for the day:
- "Winning is coming in fourth, exhausted and encouraged-because last time you came in fifth."
- "Winning is habit forming. (So is losing.)"
- "The fact that we, literally, become what we think about most of the time."

Our First Hash

Dave and I went to our first Memphis Hash Harriers run today. I am sure most of you know, but it is a "Drinking Club With a Running Problem". It was beyond fun. It is great when Dave and I find something we can enjoy together. Now I am in bed, wondering if I am going to have a beer headache in the morning. Probably. :)

I will write more tomorrow on the weekend.

February Is Here!

My quilt: a work in progress of my soccer life. I haven't started sewing yet, but this is a picture of the pieces cut out and backed with fusable interface.

-This is an official reminder for Johnson to set up her blog. Do it!

Happy Friday to everyone! The sun has come out, although it is still too cold for me. The day is going to be pretty low key for me. Work at Breakaway, quilting in the afternoon (yes, dorkish!), and then an indoor soccer game this evening. I guess no beers for me tonight since Gina and I are running 17 at 7:00am (yuck!). I swear, even if our bodies are never in the shape we want to achieve, our minds will be strong just from being dedicated. I will write more this weekend. (I should probably be working right now, not writing my blog! My manager is probably staring me down as I play on the computer.)