As race day approaches (5 more days) I feel myself becoming more anxious and nervous about the event.  It’s not like this is my first race but it is my very FIRST marathon.  There’s so much to think about in preparation and I’m just so excited that I can’t contain myself.  From my understanding this is a normal feeling that most people should experience with an upcoming event.  There are so many emotions that I have experienced during training BUT the best feeling has been a sense of accomplishment for both my husband and I.  I’m so proud that we set out on a mission and we are ACTUALLY going to complete that mission this Sunday morning. 

I have been thinking of ways that I can calm my nerves throughout the week.  Obviously, yoga comes to mind but I have also thought about deep breathing and meditation exercises.  Meditation and visualization are proven ways to increase performance of both the mind and body.  I will discuss this in more detail in “Fitness Fact for the Day.” 

For now, I’ll write a little bit about race day.  I’ve decided that I’m going to fill you up with tid-bits of race weekend info over the next five days and of course hit you with a re-cap on Sunday!  How does that sound…it’s great for me J

What: Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon, Half marathon, 8k & 5k

When: February 6-7, 2010           

Where: Melbourne, FL

Course: (see map: http://themelbournemarathon.com/documents/2010Fullmarathoncoursemap012110.pdf )It starts in downtown Mel and travels down US 1 to the first of four treacherous causeways mountains, then carries on beside the beaches of Brevard county to the second of four treacherous causeway mountains, then repeat!  Sounds like fun, huh???  All along the course there will be music and many adoring fans (j/k…I made that one up), so I think we’ll survive.

Fitness Fact for the Day:

Meditation and deep breathing are great ways to decrease stress and anxiety.  From a physiological perspective deep breathing helps us to decrease heart rate, lower blood pressure, decrease muscular tension, and calm emotions.  Meditation is great for helping us boost confidence, find awareness, build concentration/focus, and mindfulness (Book: Calming your Anxious Mind by Jeffery Brantley).  One of the oldest and most tried & true forms of meditation is breath awareness.  By engaging in breath awareness you can immediately help yourself focus on the present moment.  As athletes, elite or novice, it is extremely important that we focus on the present moment so we can performance at our very best right here, right now.

Have you ever used deep breathing or meditation before a big event?  How did it help?  Were you able to get in the zone?  I’m interested to hear your thoughts.

Advertisement