The Man Who Thinks He Can

As we approach the fall racing season most runners will reflect on the months of preparation done prior and consider their readiness for "the big race." As has been addressed so many times on this blog,one's mental and emotional state will go a long way towards determining if a runner will achieve their goal(s). There are certain moments during a race when fatigue or pain can raise doubt in our ability to reach those goals. Football coach Vince Lombardi uttered this famous quote that probably most of us have heard before but is worth repeating: "fatigue makes cowards of us all." If that isn't a quote applicable to running and racing I don't know what is. So,if we've done the preparation for THE race and the weather is not a factor, then what else do you think could potentially sabotage your race? You guessed it, it's your head,your mind,the way you think.The following by Walter Wintle may seem simplistic to some but it brings up truths that need to be considered before a race which you have spent countless hours preparing for.

The Man Who Thinks He Can

"If you think you are beaten,you are;

If you think you dare not,you don't;

If you want to win but you think you can't,

It's almost a cinch you won't.

For in the world we find

Success begins with a fellow's will,

It's all in the state of mind.

For many race a race is lost

Ere even a step is run,

And many a coward fails;

Think big and your deeds will grow,

Think small and you'll fall behind;

Think that you can and you will---

It's all in in the state of mind.

If you think you're outclassed,you are,

You've got to think high to rise,

You've got to be sure of yourself before

You can ever win the prize.

Life's battles don't always go

To the stronger or faster man,

But sooner or later the man who wins,

Is the fellow who thinks he can."

A key line in the above is,"life's battles don't always go to the stronger or faster man." I've seen many a time when the faster athlete on paper didn't have the proper mindset to win the race. Don't ever underestimate the power of your mind,next post tomorrow.