The Mental Marathon: It’s All In Your Head

Life is a marathon…

If that’s not an overused metaphor, I don’t know what is. However, the marathon metaphor is actually pretty accurate when you see your personal journey as a mental state to achieve. Marathons, after all, can be just as challenging mentally as they are physically. To be a serious runner, you must undergo psychological training along with your physical preparation. Otherwise, you’ll encounter roadblocks that will keep you from finishing the race.

So how does the mentality of a successful marathoner connect to how you live the rest of your life?

Changes in the Weather

Marathons are scheduled far in advance. Whether it rains, the skies are clear and sunny, or a record-setting heat wave rolls through, the race goes on. Marathoners prepare for every weather possibility with the right shoes, good hydration, and proper equipment. They might not know what’s coming until the morning of the race, but they’re ready for anything.

The same is true for the marathon of life. Waking up with every morning with the mentality that anything can happen can be the most positive way to live your life. Every day is going to bring different challenges, but each day will also bring those sunny moments with perfect conditions. Being ready and willing to accept any change in the proverbial weather will leave you nimble on your feet. Just make sure to view the unknown as an adventure to be had, not a fear to be faced.

Anything is Possible

Marathoners have to believe that anything and everything is possible. Otherwise they’d all quit as soon as their bodies told them to, which for most would be long before the 26.2 mile mark. But runners have to get over the idea that pushing their bodies that far is ridiculous or impossible. Every marathon starts with just one step.

Life is all about putting on a new pair of shoes, and then breaking in those shoes as quickly as possible. Whether you’re putting on running shoes, combat boots, or ballet flats, you have to believe that you can do anything you put your mind to. Believing you’re capable of doing something or becoming someone you have never been before is half the journey.

The only way to convince yourself that you’re capable of something as unfathomable as running 26.2 miles is to begin the process. Just like a runner will never complete a marathon if he never goes on that first run, you will never be able to become a ballroom dancer, a soldier, a teacher, or a graduate student unless you put on your metaphorical running shoes and take the first step.

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Focus

Once you’ve taken the first step, all that remains is to make it to the finish line. Getting to the end of marathon requires utilizing one of two strategies: associative or dis-associative running. Associative running involves focusing on your body as you run—how it’s moving, how hard you’re breathing, your feet hitting the ground, etc. With dis-associative running, runners occupy themselves with external distractions such as music, watching television, or even internal distractions like problem solving or allowing their thoughts to wander.

Likewise, you need to have a strategy to reach your finish lines in life. It doesn’t matter how you accomplish your goals, but once you’ve taken the first physical step you’ll need a lot of willpower, confidence, and self-motivation. Don’t let distractions get in the way. Either “tune into your body” or let your own hard work motivate you, or “tune out the distractions” and let your momentum carry you forward until you reach your final destination.

Health

Marathon runners are in peak condition, both physically and mentally. They train for long, difficult hours, and condition their bodies and minds to endure an incredible amount of stress. They’ve learned that only a combination of physical energy and mental determination can get them to the finish line.

Nothing short of mental and physical health will carry you through the incredible stressful thing called life. It’s no secret that mental and physical health are related. If one is suffering, chances are the other is too. Get a gym membership, eat right, seek counseling (Edmonton has several good options available, and you can run their summer marathon while you’re at it) if necessary, and treat your body well to ensure that you’re getting the most out of life.

You can’t prepare specifically for every situation you’ll face along the race course of life. What you can prepare for is how you’ll react to whatever challenges you face. The marathon metaphor might be overused, but it’s certainly applicable.

Strap on your running shoes.

Melanie Hargrave is a wife and homemaker whose family is her pride and joy. She is a beginning runner, and enjoys learning about psychology and mental health from York Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centre.