10 days....a week from Sunday....my first half-marathon...in Las Vegas....what have I committed myself too?  I just re-read my posts, and they are so positive  ~  where did all that motivation go?  Where did my positive feelings go?  Am I just psyching myself out?  My last couple of runs have not been very good, but I guess I should be tapering down for the race...but I'm just not into it.  Is this normal?  Will I suddenly get a "burst" of positive energy and all of this negativity will vanish?  I would love to hear from those of you who have either experienced these feelings, or have suggestions for how to get out of this "funk" ~ for lack of a better word.  I'm doing the race....I will complete the race....but....thanks in advance.

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Tags: training, women's running, motivation, marathon training, spirit, distance running, marathon, newbie, Las Vegas Rock and Roll Marathon

Awesome Gladys - I'm pumped and I'm not even racing. This is a keeper. Posted by: bmoore on Nov 27, 2010 at 09:06 PM

Denise...you are going through a very normal phase of training. You are fatigued. Training is a very long series of events compared to the actual race. Take a step back and soak in everything you've accomplished over the past few months of training. Erase one portion of your worries....you WILL finish this race. Take my advice..you may have set a goal and it would be wonderful to reach that goal, but remember the other part...this is your first HM and there can NEVER be another one of those. Take the time to enjoy it. The evening before the race, get yourself organized early. Lay everything out as if you were wearing it. Then race morning get up do your regular things, eat, get dressed and head out. Your adreneline will be far beyond what you can imagine. You will find a level of motivation you never knew you had. You will run a strong race because you are prepared. Remember that regardless of how many people are around you, this is YOUR race. No one else matters, this is about your training, your goals, your finish...YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENT! Race strong my friend!!! Posted by: gspaulding on Nov 26, 2010 at 01:31 PM

Hi D. It's all going to be OK. This is very common. You have come through a huge amount of training over these past many weeks and its not unusual at all to feel "burned out" or to have "bad runs" near the end of training. Don't psyche yourself out. Additionally realize that training for a distance race like this takes a lot out of you physically. You have stuck to a solid training schedule and physically you are ready. Now, lets get your head ready. Visualizing your race will help. Take some quiet time to close your eyes and see yourself running through each of your pace markers. You are strong, you are prepared, you deserve it. There are hundreds of other runners around you - your are part of this family and you have earned your rightful place in it. Again, you are strong, you feel good, you are focused. This always helps me going into a long race when I have fears and doubts (which is really what lack of motivation is...fear turned inward). You are the same women you were when you wrote your posts. You are coming to the end of a very long journey. You can do it!!! Take a look at this: http://bit.ly/fawYef Posted by: bmoore on Nov 26, 2010 at 11:00 AM