PSYCH 101: Acting "As If"

Two things happened this week that left me wondering if I can really do this. Can I really run a full marathon . . . 26.2 miles?

The first thing that happened was on Monday morning. I had a conversation with a co-worker (who is a dedicated runner) about running a race together in December. I mentioned that my long run for the week in which that race is scheduled to occur will be 16 miles. The conversation went like this:

Co-worker: 16 miles. You mean you are training for the FULL marathon, not the half marathon?
Me: Yes, that is my current plan
Co-worker: Wow, even I've never run 16 miles.
Me: Well, er, uh, yes, right now, that's what I'm shooting for. We'll see how it goes . . .

I was really upset with myself after the conversation for not just shouting from the rooftop, "Yes, that's my goal. I'm going to finish a FULL marathon!" I think I just had a moment of feeling silly, like here I am, someone that can barely run for 15 minutes, and I'm telling this dedicated runner that I'm going to run 16 miles. If she thinks that is a lot, maybe I'm crazy?

The second thing that happened was that I overheard someone talking about a "marathon" phone conversation they had just finished . . . meaning they got stuck on the phone . . . forever . . . and their way of describing this very long phone conversation was to describe its length as "marathon." I panicked . . . which may seem silly, but all of a sudden, I had the realization that people use the word "marathon" . . . this thing that I want to run . . . to describe something that is really, really, long . . . and I guess for a few minutes . . . that freaked me out.

It is hard for me because I fear looking like a fool. So I still hesitate, sometimes, to say, "yes, I'm going to run a marathon." I want to develop an attitude of confidence and optimism. Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer suggests that in order to develop the optimism, all you have to do is act "as if" it were already true. How do people who are confident and optimistic about things act?

They walk around with their head up and with a steady confident look in their eyes. When asked how their training is going, they say it is going great and that they have no doubt they are going to do well. When asked how they feel, they respond that they feel terrific. Sometimes they even volunteer (without being asked) that they are really enjoying the training and they feel strong and confident. When they run, they smile and look like they are enjoying it.

The point is that if I act as if I am confident and optimistic, I will begin to feel confident and optimistic. And thats a lot more fun than feeling pessimistic and unsure.

So this week, I'm going to test the power of the "as if" and repeat the phrase, "I am a marathoner" in time with my steps.

I invite you to ask me, "Are you a marathoner?" (yep, come on, you should ask me). I'll answer, "Yes, I am!"

I Am a Marathoner!