Visualization is a powerful tool in aiding your preparation for the upcoming race. It has helped many elite athletes gain confidence, increase their focus, and also keep their nerves in check in preparation for races. It will help you too if you practice it regularly prior to your race. Research has shown that even injured athletes use visualization to practice in their mind so that when they can physically start training again, they are not far behind their peers.

We visualize all the time. Whenever we think, we are picturing thoughts in our minds. Visualization involves the use of all our senses. Imagine that you are at the beach, doing your warm-up stretches before you set off for your training run. While you are doing so, smell the sea breeze, feel your muscles relax as you stretch them out, taste the dryness of your mouth, hear some chattering of voices, and look at the view of the calm sea. The power of visualization is that it allows you to recreate situations/experiences in your mind.

To build your confidence, you can visualize yourself running with the right techniques, breathing at a comfortable pace, and enjoying yourself on the run. Perhaps, you may even visualize yourself crossing the finish line comfortably. Everyday, spend a couple of minutes just visualizing how you want to run the race. Is there a certain running gait you want to be doing, or a certain posture you want to be achieving during your run? By visualizing that before every training run, it will help you remember what are the things you want to focus on during your runs. Have fun!

Article by:
Racers' Toolbox www.racers-toolbox.com