Long Distance Runs and Race Day Mind Journey

Long distance is usually 18 kilometers or more. Most of the runners I have talked to go through similar mental stages while running these distances. I used to feel this more at the beginning, but there are still some days that the mind game comes back to you with all its strength. Training runs are easier because they are slower, so these feelings have virtually disappeared, but they are the main demon you have to fight every time you race.

So, what is it that I am talking about? My body needs about 4 kilometers to warm up and feel good running. Those first 4 kilometers are hard because everything hurts (legs, hips, quads, etc.). Of course, my body is just warming up (and I know it because it is always the same) but my mind starts having crazy thoughts like, “OMG, if everything hurts this much right now, I don’t want to even thing when I get to the 18th kilometer. I know I will finish but it won’t be fast. I don’t think I can run faster today, everything hurts already and I still have 18 kilometers left!” These thoughts go on for a while until I magically warm up and feel great. Usually I hit the 10th kilometer under the hour and I feel in heaven. I start making my mental math, which means that if I can keep up with the same pace I can finish the race with a very good time. (For most people the second half of the race is slower because you are tired, dah!)

This feeling of greatness and enjoyment basically disappears around kilometer 15th. By this point I (and everyone else!) are exhausted, the pain becomes real and acute and you know there are 6 more kilometers to go. Usually 6 kilometers are nothing for us but at this point of the race they are hell. These are very dry kilometers and you have to hold onto any piece of motivation that is left. What takes you through them is literally your mind. This is what goes through mine “Shit, I am dying. I am super tired. I don’t know how I am going to make it. How can that bitch run faster than I do? My hips hurt so much. I can barely keep up with my pace. (I look at my Garmin) Shit, I should be running at 5:45 minutes per kilometer and I am running at 6:20. I won’t hit my goal and I can’t literally run any faster. I can do this, I can do this. (An older person just passes me) If she can do it I can do it too, come on, pick it up princess, you have trained so hard to be whining right now. It is just 6 kilometers. I run 6 kilometers like nothing. 6 kilometers is nothing, is nothing. I can do it, just 6 kilometers left. Shit, my hip keeps hurting. I don’t care if I can’t walk after the race. Don’t think about it. Think about something else, I know, brunch. What am I going to eat when I finish running? Oh yeah, I want to go to this restaurant and order vegan sausage, potatoes, bread, vegan muffins, vegan chocolate cake (I can just think of carbs! I wonder why!). Yes, shopping, I need to go shopping. I want the top that that lady has. I need a skirt…….”

So, all of a sudden you see the sign for kilometer 19th. There are just 2 kilometers left, just 2. At this point you are (and everyone else!) literally dying. Here is when I look at my Garmin, check my pace, check the time I have left to hit my goal, and start focusing on breathing to overcome the real pain and to get energies from somewhere in the universe (I am certain those don’t come from within my body because I have nothing left!). These 2 last kilometers are the point where you take yourself beyond your own limits. These 2 last kilometers are the ones that prove you are the best because when you thought you did not have anything left in you, you actually had more than what you had imagined. I, magically, always pick up the pace at this point, run faster than my expectations (like 5:30 minutes per kilometer), and the only think I say to myself is, “I can do it, I can do it, I can do it, come on, I can do it.” I will repeat this to myself for the time left. Seeing the finish line in the distance, and all the people cheering at you, gives me more energy. I focus on the finish line and how close it is, “I can do it, I can do it. I am almost there.” And then, I make it. I cross it and check my time, and I see that I actually did a better time that what I was expecting! This is where I feel so freaking proud of myself. I smile, keep walking (or lumping because everything hurts), get my finishing medal, get a bottle of water, and look for my friends (or wait for them) to take a picture of all of us together.

Running is not just about training your body to run certain distances, it is also about training your mind to work for you, it is about training your spirit to lift you up, and finally, it is about training your will to take you further.

My Animal Lover Note: