Mid-Season Mental Tune-Up

Train Your Brain

Mid-Season Mental Tune-Up

Dr Heather Bechtel

 As the weeks go on in a summer or winter, the MIT weekly training mileage gets longer.  The shine of the beginning of the new season has worn off.  The weather gets old, and there is still a lot of work to be done.  We are halfway through our marathon or half marathon preparation…how do we cope?

1. Treat yourself like an athlete. All participants in MIT are athletes!    Athletes know they deserve good food, good rest, and good support. You too are entitled to those things, and they will help you mentally and physically throughout the season.
2. Find ways to pass the miles. Saturday miles are so much better with good company.  Prepare some “dad jokes” for your pace group.  Play “the alphabet game.”  Talk to someone you don’t know as well in your group.  For mid-week miles, find good listening material (music, audiobooks, or podcasts) or plan to meet some fellow MITers.
3. Celebrate the wins. At this point in the season, distance PRs are coming up almost every week for new members.  Others might be celebrating their longest walk or run since an injury, or longest at this new pace, or in a new age group.  Tell your pace coaches so your whole group can celebrate with you!
4. Keep your eye on the prize. Looking at course maps/pictures and starting to plan activities and attire around your race can keep you excited for your goals.

Of course, if you’re dragging harder than you think you should, your coaches can be a great resource for ideas.  Trust your coaches.  Trust your training.  These weeks will pass.  Just keep showing up, and you’ll be prepared at the start line before you know it!