The mental game and running

The mental game and running

By Kenny Ames

I raced my forty-ninth marathon and got my first win on Nov. 7. I’m not the fastest runner in most races, but every now and again I get the opportunity to compete in my age group or win outright. As experienced runners know, getting a win, setting a personal best, or just having a good race requires conquering doubts as much as hard physical training.

"Winning has nothing to do with racing. Most days don't have races anyway. Winning is about struggle and effort and optimism, and never, ever, ever giving up." Amby Burfoot

Just before 8am, I lined up for the Cross County Trail Marathon. It was my first in-person marathon since the 2019 Marine Corps, and I had an audacious goal: to win. I led off the line for a minute before another runner passed me and set the pace. The crushed stone and rocks and roots didn’t let me get into my desired pace, so I let him go. It was a brutal start, I was in second place and off of my other goal of getting a Boston Marathon-qualifying time. At the first turnaround around 4.2 miles, I was a quarter of a mile back. At the second turnaround shy of mile 11, my deficit had grown to half a mile. Negative thinking took control.

Two MoCo Runners: First place for me and a huge PR for Ira

"I also realize that winning doesn't always mean getting first place; it means getting the best out of yourself." Meb Keflezighi

A friend joined me just after crossing the half to pace me to the finish. I shouted I felt dizzy pre-race, experienced digestive troubles the day before, and that I was in negative headspace. I lined up excuses, but he did not lend a sympathetic ear. It was just what I needed to unlock my best effort.

“There is no such thing as bad weather, just soft people.” Bill Bowerman

I steadied myself and recalled the 2018 Boston Marathon. It was cold and rainy with a headwind. I recalled my mantra: “Fate whispers to the warrior, ‘You cannot withstand the storm.’ And the warrior whispers back, ‘I am the storm!’” I ran my course PR with a negative split and earned the nickname, “The Storm” from my pacer.

“Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” Haruki Murakami

At the 17.3 turnaround, I figured the leader was still just half a mile ahead of me. That gave me hope that I could catch him, because he hadn't distanced himself any further, and in the back of my mind I thought I could make up 3-4 minutes if he hit a wall. A renewed sense of optimism kicked in. Fellow runners reported I was closing the deficit. Then I had a scary moment. I landed hard on uneven ground and let out a yelp. I was worried I had twisted my ankle. I felt some pain but it didn’t persist. As I entered the final 5-mile stretch, I was cautiously optimistic. The rest of the race would be on pavement, and I still had something left. 

"One skill that separates good from almost-good runners is an ability to concentrate for an entire race, whether it is a mile or a marathon." Kara Goucher

One runner relayed that I was only about a minute behind. That ignited my killer instinct! The closer I got to the final turnaround without seeing the leader, the better my chances to catch him. Finally, as I was within a third of a mile of the turnaround cone, I saw him up ahead. The leader made the turnaround seconds before I hit. I kicked it into my next gear, leaving him behind. My pacer said: "He's done."

“Somebody may beat me, but they are going to have to bleed to do it.” Steve Prefontaine

I ran the last two miles with excitement but also fear. I used both to push harder: My last 5K was my fastest of the race. When I saw the finish, I sprinted and crossed the line with pride. It was easily one of the best days of my life and a feeling I won’t ever forget.

“We all know that if you run, you are pretty much choosing a life of success because of it.” Deena Kastor

Runners are the toughest people I know. We’ve chosen a hobby where we suffer. We brag about lost toenails. We get up before the sun and endure terrible weather. We chose pain because we are addicted to challenges and achieving impossible goals. When we apply our mental toughness to our lives like we do our races, we enjoy personal and professional success.

“You can make all the excuses you want, but if you're not mentally tough and you're not prepared to play every night, you're not going to win.” Larry Bird