I ran the Nago Half Marathon on Sunday 14th February, and although I didn’t gain a PR I did manage to finish in under two hours and place 13th in the female 30 - 39 year old division (out of 112 runners); not too shabby. The reason I had a reasonably successful run is due to a new race-day technique that I deliberately employed.

Several months ago, former US Olympic marathon runner Jeff Galloway, came to Okinawa to present a series of workshops, one of which I was fortunate enough to attend. He talked about many things, including tips on how to pull through those final few marathon miles. One technique he suggested trying is one which utilizes the art of visualization; he explained how he would often set his sights on a runner ahead of him, and then imagine reeling that runner in with a fishing line.  

Of all the techniques he talked about, the fishing line technique sounded like one that could possibly work well for me, and it was this technique that I decided to try at the Nago Half Marathon. I started early on in the race by picking out female runners only, and sure enough, one by one I reeled them in. It was exciting to pass one female runner after another, and pass so many in fact, that by the 11th or 12th mile there were no more female runners ahead of me to reel in. I had to dig hard to finish out the last mile, especially at the pace I had so far managed to sustain, but it was hugely motivating to weave my way towards the finish line with no females in sight (the faster females had left me for dust by this point but still…….). 

All in all, I highly recommend this visualization technique for you runners out there. It worked for me and I’m sure it’ll work for you!