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Choosing Your Magic Mantra For Race Day

Sometimes all you need to convince yourself to finish a race is a perfect phrase–or even a magic keyword–to get you through the tough miles.

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.

Picking The Perfect Mantra

United States swimmer Dana Vollmer does one small thing prior to the start of every race: she writes a word on the top of her foot, so it is the last thing she sees before diving off the blocks. In one race, she wrote the word “forward,” so she visualized herself moving through space.

Related: Boost Runner Confidence With These 10 Tips

According to sports psychologist and sub-3-hour marathoner Dr. Jim Taylor, these words can be an important way to build confidence, particularly when the going gets tough. “I’m a big believer in using what I call ‘keywords’ during training and races and then writing those messages on your hands or arms,” he says. “The reality of running is that it can be very painful, and when you’re struggling, it’s difficult to step back and figure out what to do. Keywords can be great reminders of what runners need to do when things get hard.”

Sample mantras: “I can do this” or “tough” or “smooth and strong” or even jotting down the number of total miles you’ve logged in training can be potent inspiration at tough times.

Related:

Ask The Coach: What Should My Running Mantra Be?

How I Finally Developed My Perfect Race Day Mantra

How A “Just One More” Mantra Brought Me From Severe Drug Addiction To Running

These Runners Were Not Prepared to Love Non-Alcoholic Beer

L. Renee Blount and Outside TV host Pat Parnell posted up at a popular trailhead, handed out free Athletic Brewing craft non-alcoholic beer, and then recorded runners’ live reactions. Want to find out what all the hype’s about? Click here to discover a world without compromise.

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