Mantras VS affirmations and how to use them for your next race!

Mantras VS affirmations and how to use them for your next race!

Mantras VS Affirmations and how to use them to your advantage in your next half marathon or marathon!

Affirmations VS Mantras:

Both are key players for improving mood, mindset and performance but have some key differences in how you’ll use them to accomplish your goals.

Affirmations are positive statements you can say about yourself. It is the assertion that something is true or exists. This is particularly helpful in the weeks leading up to your race and throughout training. It’s instilling belief and confidence in yourself that you are capable of whatever you’re trying to achieve. It is also useful to tap into affirmations during miles 15-20 of the marathon and miles 5-10 of the half marathon, when you’re conscious mind is at work but you’re still saving some mental energy for your final push.

Mantras are a word or phrase that aids in concentration. Mantras are ways in which we focus our thoughts, ours feelings and our highest intention. Repeating phrases can help regain a sense of control. They help to quiet your mind and stay in the present moment. These are particularly helpful during that final 10k of the marathon (or 5K of half marathon) when our minds tend to have a tendency to go to dark places.

There is a spot to write out your affirmation of the day in the Run My Life journal. To increase confidence and belief, I suggest in the month leading up to the race (as well as specifically before any big workouts) you write out an affirmation that affirms any doubts you have about the race, the workout or your abilities. As for mantras, come up with 3-5 that really hit home for you and write them out in the notes sections of your race month! Ideally though, this is something you practice daily. Just like with physical training and building cycle upon cycle, your mental training works the same way. You can't do it once or for one month and expect drastic results. 

So much of racing is a mental game. Grab a Run My Life journal + planner to help you mentally prepare. You’ll break down your visions, goals, habits and daily gratitude to make sure you’re set up for success come race day!

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