PBJ is only one minute ahead of me...All winter it 's been my singular focus, thru the pain of the LR's, the intervals and the tempo runs...

Hopefully you get lots of advice, since once I catch PBJ in Boston I will be in the same boat as you trying to figure out how to tough it out.

Seriously though...for me, I tend to chastise myself and remember the miles that got me here. Since I am not the fastest, nor the most atheletically gifted, I tend to want to think I am the toughest...so i try not to give in an inch. Not the best approach, since I sometimes push too hard, but I tell myself it's all i've got. It's all about 'NO REGRETS" for me.

GANBARE or is it CRANBARE and the TURKEYNATOR

Tall

Since I always wanted to be pilot I just simply divide the miles in different flying stages-preparation for take-off. take-off, cruising, preparation for landing and landing.  I try to not have any casualties during each one of the stages.  So a marathon may go like this:
-3 miles- preparation to fly (shoes tied, gu in place, hip in place, hip relaxed, neck in alighment, etc)
-up to 10 miles- take- off, just beggining to take altitud.
-up to 20 miles-cruising (enjoy the ride)
20 to 24 preparation for landing-aka just gut it out
24-26.2 landing and remember the smile at the crossing line.

Interesting posting.

While I don't use a special phrase or mantra, I most certainly tap into thoughts/feelings for motivation<br /><br />Usually, the cancer patients that I've worked with give me all the motivation I need (some can't run 'cause they've lost a leg to cancer, some can't run 'cause they're too week from their treatments, some can't run 'cause they're "trapped" in the hospital for tests).  Sometimes, when I'm feeling like I can't go on, I tell myself to quit being such a big baby... and I'll think of a certain patient and finish the run for them.<br /><br />I also like to channel loved ones that have passed on.  I imagine that they are angels in heaven, and when I call on one of them, they lend me their angel wings.  This may seem weird to some, but it's one of my greatest motivators especially when I'm feeling tired and out of gas...

Lastly, if I'm not exactly tapped out, but in need of something to get my legs moving a little faster, I'll tap into my anger-- for some reason, I run really well when I'm feeling p!ssed off...

[http://This message has been edited by janie b good (edited Apr-05-2007).|http://This message has been edited by janie b good (edited Apr-05-2007).]

Like Dark Horse, I fantasize about winning marathons, Olympics, hockey & lacrosse championships ...all of those things I'll never do any more.   When that fails, I simply pray I'll get to the end!
PJ

For me, I just consider that " stopping is not an option".
If I'm feeling a little weak minded to continue, like others, I use the thought that I still can do this while others I know less fortunate cannot, so I do it for them! Works every time.

Fran

I let out a primal scream, sometimes using an obscenity (usually the one that begins with 'f').  Seriously.  I think it causes a release of adrenaline that helps to keep me going.

I also will verbally demean myself. I'll call myself a wimp, or sissy, or some other non-politically correct name.

Sometimes I'm nicer and just remind myself that the pain is temporary and will be over soon, so stop being a wuss!

stay away from the Squad cars,  nothing positive ever happens.