Breaking It Down & Getting It Done

As this is my last post I'll be able to write before I run 52.4 miles in less than 48 hours, I thought to write a little bit on one way I mentally break down a marathon - especially if I'm struggling to consider my remaining miles.

The first few miles are "gimmes". Many runners are "weaving" & finding their pace & getting into place. In fact, a time or two I've managed to pass up Mile 6 without considering it too much. This was also a good thing as, if I'm considering Mile 6 too much, it's knowing that there's only 20 more miles to go. And that can be too many miles to dwell on that early on.

Typically I begin with Mile 10.

Mile 5: A head-nod because I like doing things in increments of five.
Mile 6: Just 20 more miles (yes, I round for these things...'Point Freaking Two'...).
Mile 10: Double digits, folks.
Mile 13: Half way, baby.
Mile 15: Because I like doing things in increments of five. Though, really, this is hardly noticed because, as I consider this for a heartbeat, suddenly I'm at the much more glorious Mile 16.
Mile 16: Ten more miles to go.
Mile 20: The mile's first digit is what we'll end with; nice.
Mile 23: Roughly a 5K remaining.
Mile 25: Because I like doing things in increments of five...And because 😮 {gasp}...One. More. Mile!
Mile 26: Point. Freaking. Two. to go!

And so, just about every three to four miles, or fewer in some cases, there's reason & encouragement to keep on, keeping on.

I'd taken a few years hiatus from listening to music, a time which encompassed this song's release. I'd not heard it, or become familiar with it as had mainstream society. Nevertheless, as I rounded a bend on a marathon course, where there was also a half-marathon running simultaneously, I happened to catch the first notes of the song from across the way. I glanced, while remaining focused, & saw a half-dozen to a dozen spectators standing, along with their sound system, on the top step of a staircase to a likely apartment building. They giggled & glanced to each other & us as I apparently hadn't been the only runner to glance as the silence broke from the song's beginning notes.

Shortly thereafter a male runner, I believe speaking to a female running friend, mentioned about how they were "almost finished". I thought he'd spoken in sarcasm as that bend in the course we were at approximately Mile 10 or 11.

Soon after the great signage & volunteers directing half-marathoners to the left & marathoners to the right arrived with significant distinction. This is when I realized that male runner was simply encouraging & not using sarcasm; he & his friend were half-marathon participants.

When "the herd" fleshes out after half-marathon participants are directed to break away from marathoners an entirely separate & distinct mental pathway comes into play. There's many less elbows to be bumping alongside of, & yet there's less camaraderie as well; it's a case of "is the glass half-full or half-empty"? Or, the more contemporary, "is the glass half-full, or should it be in a glass half its size"?

And so it goes. Because regardless of the incredibly black & white shift in these factors, there's still half a marathon left to complete. Unless, of course, it takes a mile or two to mentally recognize the "wow" 😏... Then there's a chance that the next mileage sign reads Mile 15 or Mile 16 & it's possible to revert to the above & from there mentally shift gears.

While on this musical note, a thought to mention a few songs typically playing at the starting line to "pump up" everyone & keep spirits soaring. This song is a popular tune among high school bands; it works well blasting from speakers at the starting line. The author at this link agrees.

Most any "MJ" song, although this song & this complete album are solid options.

The same goes for Tina Turner; I'm in high favor of this song & this song. The former, because it's encouraging & its got a great beat; the latter because its got a great beat & it's just a good song.

This song because it's got a great beat &, I believe, could easily be a great song to push someone who's mentally a bit down.

This song because it's about a "stride", just not a runner's stride; it's an oldie, yet goodie that I kept in my head as I'd finish out the final laps of the two mile - the longest running option in high school track. Oddly, despite it not being a current hit, I find myself frequently catching it on the radio these days.

More currently, this song because it's "high spirited" & encouraging. Also, this song for the same reasons.

Then there's this song, which has great motivational rhythm; a lot of the soundtrack does. ... And I found myself today pulling out said soundtrack because I wanted to take a listen to that tune. Preceding it on the track listing: this song, which could also make for a great starting line pump-up song; especially with it's confident title.

Several of these songs came to mind due to this listing.

Time will tell which, if any (Who am I kidding? I'm bound to hear a few of these tunes before Sunday comes to a close! 😂), of these will infiltrate my eardrums & push me to go the distance.

These links are affiliate links to Amazon as well as the image link in the top left.

If you'd like to shop my general Amazon Store, click here & Thank You!