Princess Half Marathon Blog Hop - First-Timer Fears

One thing I've learned over my first year of running (holy cow - a year already?!) is that fear is a normal part of the process. Trying to convince your body that it can do things it's never attempted before is a daunting task. As some of you may know, I've spent several years studying psychology and I'm absolutely fascinated by science of how people think and behave. Since I've started running, I've learned even more about the application of psychology.

Now, I've completed my first half-marathon, but I have another first ahead of me. During Princess Half-Marathon Weekend, I'll be participating in my first runDisney challenge. For those unfamiliar with the Glass Slipper Challenge, this means that I'll be running a 10K on Saturday and the half-marathon on Sunday. And, as I felt just a few short weeks ago, I am terrified.

This sense of impending doom... or impending sweepage, whichever you prefer... made me start thinking a bit more about the psychology behind these fears. What they mean for training, for racing, and how they affect a runDisney experience.

Fear and self-doubt do play an important role in running, and having none at all could be a bad thing. If we are afraid, we may take extra care of ourselves, and we tend to be more aware of injuries and take appropriate actions to prevent further injury. If we fear being swept at a race, we may run a little faster. If we doubt-ourselves (in SMALL doses), we can surprise ourselves and that sense of excitement will keep us going when we want to give up. However, too much of either can seriously degrade a runner's will to get out there in the first place. So, as you gear up for the Princess Half-Marathon, Enchanted 10K, Royal Family 5K, or the Glass Slipper Challenge, keep what I'm going to say in mind, especially if you're a first-timer like me.

First, before you do anything else, take a deep breath. Then, take another. Better? Good. You have to make a conscious choice to be positive. This can be difficult, but if you visualize success, you're more likely to experience it. When you have self-defeating thoughts, take note and come up with a counterargument. For example, if you think "I'm going to get swept," try thinking about all of the evidence behind why that isn't true. For me, it might be that I'm determined, or I know I've trained well. Don't just let the negativity settle, tell it why it's wrong.

It's totally normal to be nervous. During the races, dispel some of those jitters by talking to other runners in your corral. You'd be amazed by the support you'll get. Make new friends and maybe even a running buddy. Don't underestimate how much of a difference that cane make. If you want proof, read my Tinker Bell Half recap here. Other princesses will serve as distractions during the difficult parts of the race and will keep you entertained during every minute in between. Use positive self-talk. Remind yourself of all the hard work that's led you to this moment, and think about how incredible you're going to feel crossing that finish line. Don't give up, (barring serious injury of course). And most importantly, be proud NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS.

Yes, I seriously mean no matter what. Obviously finishing the race in whatever time goal you have is the best-possible scenario. But finishing, no matter what the time, is still pretty freaking incredible. So is starting. Do you know how hard it is to make the decision to register for a big race and commit yourself to something difficult? Of course you do; you've done just that! There are thousands of people (millions, likely) that don't even have the courage to consider something like that. Yet you did. That's truly something to be proud of.

I'd love to go over the details of how science plays a role in our ability to mentally prepare for and succeed in a race. But that could take quite a while. In the meantime, feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions about the psychology of running or positive thinking at any of the contact options here on my blog. And as you prepare for Princess Half Marathon Weekend, check out this awesome blog hop, where you can find loads of valuable information about the races ranging from race fashion to food, and everything else. Click the image below to get to a list of great posts by other incredible writers!