Rotterdam Marathon Visualization
It helps me to visualize my success before a race. You can do this at home in peace and quiet or during a long run. Here I have written down how I approach this for the Rotterdam Marathon.
Imagine it is the day of the marathon. You are standing in the starting corral, surrounded by other runners. You hear music and the runners around you. You feel a healthy dose of tension, but also confidence. You have a goal and you are determined to achieve it. You have worked hard for this. You are going to do it.
The starting gun sounds and you start running. It is busy around you, but you soon find a rhythm and pace that feels good. The first few kilometers go effortlessly. You even have to hold back a little so you don't go too fast. The crowd is enthusiastic and there is a lot of music along the sidelines. You are enjoying yourself.
The kilometers fly by. You drink at every aid station and take your gels exactly as planned. You have already tasted the sweet flavor of the gels often during your training sessions recently. You find a group to run with. Before you know it, you have covered the entire stretch in Zuid and are crossing the Erasmus Bridge for the second time. There are so many people along the side; it gives you energy.
At kilometer 30, you start to struggle. You see runners going in the opposite direction, and this weighs heavily. You wonder why you are running here, but then you think of your goal again. You keep telling yourself: 'I am strong. I can do this. Soon I will be running there too.' You know these moments are part of it. You have practiced this. You can do this.
In the Kralingse Bos, many runners around you start walking. Something inside you wants this too, but you don't give in to that little voice in your head. You pull yourself together and focus entirely on your own rhythm. Aid station after aid station. Kilometer after kilometer. Step after step. Every step you take is one closer to the finish line.
The crowd is getting louder. At kilometer 39, you are finally out of the Kralingse Bos and hear the mass of people on the Boezemstraat. Now you are the one running to the finish, while runners still have to make their way through the forest in the opposite direction. You feel renewed energy. Only 3 kilometers to go! Despite the fatigue, you are still on schedule. You are going to make it!
On the final bend onto the Coolsingel, you still have the power to accelerate. The number of people along the sidelines is unprecedented. Everyone is cheering for you. You see the finish line getting closer and nothing can stop you now. You cross the finish line and look at the clock: You did it!
Feel how proud you are. Feel how strong you are. Feel how happy you are. Try to hold onto this feeling and take it with you to your training and your marathon.
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