I completed another long distance training run yesterday as part of my training for this year’s Los Angeles Marathon. It was a tough one. I knew starting my run that it was going to take me almost 3 hours. That’s a bit daunting to say the least. The first hour was no problem at all. Run Run Run – easy peasy. At mile 10 came the harsh realization that I was only a little over halfway done…ugh. Not sure why yesterday was so difficult but it was. I thought about everything. Wondered what my family was up to, thought about all the things I wanted to do after my run, thought about work, thought about nothing.

At mile 15 I should have felt great, only 4 miles to go. Four miles to go?! That’s still a lot of running. I thought of every reason to stop running. Then I started up with my mind games: I can make it 5 more minutes. How many more intervals of 5 are there? Just focus on the current mile as if it’s the last. Just run to the light. It just goes on and on. I wonder if any other runners play these types of mind games?

Well, I finished my 19 miles and got in a hot shower, thought to myself – 21 miles next weekend?! I know I’ll get through them, I always do. Note to self – I need to make a better playlist or formulate some new mind games.