Get marathon motivation

Get in the mood for your training sessions with this five-point positivity plan

DO A BODY MOT

“When you don’t fancy a session, run a quick body audit,” says British Athletics coach Kim Ingleby. “How is your energy out of ten? Did you sleep well? Have you eaten well? Do you have time? If all the answers are yes, then just get it done. If no, then swap your rest days around and focus on fixing your recovery strategy.”

DON’T PANIC

“If you are behind your training schedule, don’t cram sessions in to catch up, but do put your key sessions into your diary and stick to them,” says Ingleby. “Prioritise longer runs and some speed and strength sessions. They get you fitter, reduce your risk of injury and boost your confidence.”

TAKE NOTE

It’s normal not to be satisfied with every run. “Write down the reasons why you run and how a great run makes you feel,” says Ingleby. “Find your motivation, observe people who inspire you, and remember all the positives of running. If that doesn’t work, some rest with good healthy food can balance things out.”

DIG DEEPER

During a hard run when the voice in your head says stop you have two options. “You can slow down or walk for a minute to get your focus and breath back,” says Ingleby. “Or you can breathe in a positive word like ‘strength’ and then breathe out thoughts of stopping for six breaths. It works.”

CHANNEL NERVES

Everyone gets nervous on race day. “At the start, think of all the people who inspire and motivate you and your reasons for taking part in the event,” says Ingleby. “Then, as the gun goes, pace yourself, relax and adapt as you need to. Listen to your body. Breathe in strength, breathe out fatigue.”