File under: cobbler's kids with no shoes; chef who doesn't cook for herself; doctor who doesn't take care of herself.
As long as I have been writing about running, I've heard, believed and written about the power of mantras. Of short, powerful words that you can focus on when the going gets tough on your run. Instead of say, focusing, on a tight lower back or the upcoming hell—I meant hill—or the ___ more miles to go, you repeat STRONG or YES or KEEP SWIMMING.
I have written about the power of a mantra countless times. I've told you all to do it again and again. I proposed, to the last round of the TLAM Club, that you have a last-mile mantra. If you have listened or read closely, I have probably spun a few tales about my own mantras: you know, fake it until you make it. I did have a great run with "I am here now," but sadly, I was there about four years ago. I am not sure why, but a mantra is my rare exception, not my running rule.
But I have Plans. (And yes, that deserves a capital P.) I'm headed back to Minnesota. Not for my dream trail race, but a favorite nonetheless: The Medtronic TC 10-mile at the Twin Cities Marathon in October. And I want to run it fast. How fast? I'm not sure yet—but, at that point, I will not have crossed a finish line in nearly 1.5 years. I want a Win. (And yes, that deserves a capital W.)
Of course, I'm going to train properly—and emphasize all the foam rolling and glute strength this body needs—but I'm also going to practice and then use a mantra. During my first hardish workout in months last Saturday, I had four 8-minute intervals at 10K pace, sandwiched by a 45-minute warm-up and 45-minute cooldown. During the last two intervals, I kept saying, "I am strong. I am strong. I am strong."
I still looked at my Polar M400 too many times. I still sliced and diced and counted down the seconds until 8:00, but I got into a rhythm with my breathing and the three words. And I liked it. I don't know if that'll make the final cut as The Mantra, but it's a, um, strong start.
My CliffsNotes for my TC 10-mile Mantra? Mile Markings Temporary Tattoos, co-founded by #motherrunner Eleni Drake and her husband. Eleni, who is training for her seventh marathon as I type, started Mile Markers because, as she says, "When you run for awhile, you learn that it's a mental game. It's good to have a word or phrase in your head to motivate you when the running gets tough. My problem was that during a race, my running brain can't remember what the word is!"
I can totally anticipate having that problem—which is why, once I have The Mantra, I'm ordering a bunch and plastering them everywhere I will be able to see them as I conquer the TC 10 Mile. Eleni gives each a personal touch—the fonts and colors are endless—and I just love that they're made by hand by a #motherrunner.
Today, we've got a chance for you to plaster yourself—and your BRFs—in Mile Markings. We have three prizes to give away:
- A Marathon Training Pack of 10 Temporary Tattoos, which includes one custom mantra of your choice.
- A Half-Marathon Training Pack of 6 Temporary Tattoos, which includes one custom mantra of your choice.
- And one Custom Saying/Design of your choice with six duplicates.
In order to be entered to win, please let us know in the comments below, what would words/design/animal/whatever would be on your custom Mile Markings tattoo?
SPECIAL DISCOUNT: If you'd like to place a Mile Markings order for your Ragnar team or BRFs or your next race, use code AMR to get $5 off any purchase $10 or more.
The details: This running giveaway sweepstakes is open to those over 18 and residents of the United States and Canada. Part of a series of weekly running giveaways, it begins on 7/27/16 and ends on 8/2/16. We will announce three random winners on our Facebook page on 8/3/16, as well as notifying the winners by email. One entry per person. The value of each prize is $10-15. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Void where prohibited by law.
Find Your Strive (get it? it’s like find your Stride, but it means “find what makes you keep moving forward”)
Enjoy & Just Go
Yes you can!
“One foot in front of the other”
Unstoppable!
I recently found out that I’ll be running in the Twin Cities 10-Mile run too! I’d love to have an image of a pug. We recently lost our dog and she’s inspirational in the best way.
Fierce, fearless, & fast!
I love a good mantra. I think if go with ‘You’ve got this’ or ‘The pain is temporary’ – ‘She made me do it’ applies this year in particular for my BRF too.
I’d put, “Finish what you started.” It reminds me of early morning runs at ridiculous hours, running in piles of snow or high humidity, and that I did all of it for a reason.
Don’t judge…..I’ve got this!!!
I have a few I would LOVE!
” Head – Heart – Feet” ( I used this while training for NYC last year and worked super hard with injury)
” Look how far you’ve come, you filled your heart with love” ( line from song Try Everything from Zootopia….this song has MANY lines that hit me hard )
Don’t beat yourself up, don’t need to run so fast ( from Try Everything )
My kids names: Kylee, Trey, Skyla, Chloe and Elodie ( my everything )
Enjoy your journey ( sometimes we stress to much on the race & forget to enjoy and take it all in. It’s your big reward for working your super momma butt off. Take it ALL in so you NEVER forget that race you did and worked SO hard to place your toe over the start and finish line.)
YOU CAN DO THIS!
You already won. You STARTED!
You got this!
So many mantras I’d love on my arm for a race but I think I’d go with “feed the athlete”. It’s a line from one of my favorite AMR podcasts #176 on mental skills.
Enjoy the Journey
I would love “I know every mile will be worth my while.” which is a quote from Go the Distance in Hercules, one of my favorite Disney movies.
Keep pushing. Go for the goal.
“Your race, your pace” and “Run Your race!”
Shoulders down, breathe deep
Frodo made it all the way.
Love mantras & I have several- But this would be the one for a tattoo ” Stronger with every mile”
“Don’t think; just go.”
Your doing it! That is what I visualize.
I would LOVE the Marathon training pack! I’m currently training for my first marathon (it’s in October) and I have to do ALL of my long runs all alone. Most of my runs are alone for that matter and I’ve struggled mentally so badly! Especially with the heat and humidity we’ve had this summer it’s been so tough! I’m so glad you posted these!
The tortoise runs the race!
Do the work!
Push harder!!
I love the mantra “Sky above me, Earth below me, Fire within me.”
A sign that my hubby (and Sharyl, an AMR BAMR from San Francisco) saw when they ran the Tokyo Marathon in February: “Fight & Smile.”
I like “I eat hills for breakfast” and “dig deep.”
I love Oiselle’s motto “Head up, wings out.” Whenever I’m feeling like death while running, I remember this and stick my head up high and relax my shoulder blades, which often makes it feel soooo much easier. I also like “You get to do this” and “run fast.” I’ve honestly thought about getting run fast actually tattooed to my inner bicep.
She thought she could so she did!
“Don’t think, just run.”
I get to…
These are awesome!!
You Are A Badass
Mine would say Running From MS, because that is what I do every single day. Even when I’m not actually running, I am still running away from MS and all the sucky things that come with it.
Shut Up Legs (borrowed from Jens Voigt)
My phrases would be “In Training, I Trust” or “Miles for Myself”
I see pride! I see power!
Suck it up buttercup!
“And miles to go before I sleep.”
I like either I am strong or Run Happy, depending on what my workout is!
Running from dementia
Dig Deep!
My race, my pace!
“Turn Up” Whenever my friend and I run together, I tell her it’s my time to “turn up” – get loose, go wild, go crazy. It’s the closest I get to being trendy.
“Nothing to it but to do it”. It’s a mantra that my older brother uses and passed along to me. He and my dad are my running role models. 🙂
Because running is my only away time these days with a baby and a toddler at home “do not disturb” would be on mine!
It will be fun they said…
“Relentless forward progress”
It’s all heart from here
Make it look easy
Almost to the beer!
“Just keep swimming…”
Run like Flash
“Focus on the mile you’re in”
“There will be fruit snacks.” – this was said to me by my BRF as I was finishing my first 20 miler training run. The promise of fruit snacks when I was done. Thanks Courtney!!! They were awesome. 😉
Trust Your Training
Win the day, though I already have a real tattoo of that so I guess it’s cheating to get another one. “One step closer” would be my second selection.
Upright and Smiling!
“Suck it up buttercup”
I am going to run the St. Jude’s full and if the kids can kick cancer in the b***…. I can suck it up!
Stronger today….or Miles before Rest
Just keep going!
Tribe rules!
Make your boys proud!
You’ve always wanted to and nows the time!!
You’re kinda a big deal. Saw that on a sign on the last mile of a marathon. Really struck me how small the percentage of marathon is in the general population, and I’ve done it. I can do it again!
With God all things are possible
Strong to the end
Strong Mama
Honeybadger Go!
Let’s finish this!
I am here now.
You’ve got this.
I run in memory of my brother on Team Macstrong, which is what I’d put on the tattoo.
#TogetherWeShall
Spread your arms and hold your breath and always trust your cape.
Be a warrior!!
Half marathon training
The faster I run, the faster I’m done.
A fit woman is a powerful woman.
She believed she could so she did
I love ‘run happy’ and the rlam shoes 🙂
To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift
One day I won’t be able to do this
Today is not that day
I have a couple I like : “I can. I will. I must.” I also like ” this is easier than adulting” finally the not original but needed ” do you want Boston?”
Run for those who can’t
A turtle and “half crazy is still crazy”
You’re healthy, you’re strong, you’ve got this.
Childbirth is tougher
“Legal Pharmacy will rock this Ragnar”! (Team name)
She believed she could, so she did!
I didn’t come this far, just to come this far!!
“Strong & Steady”
I can do hard things.
You are not making progress if you are making excuses
Because want to; because I can
Alzheimer’s sucks
“Right here, right now!”
Just keep swimming!
Just keep moving forward!
No one is doing what you are doing TODAY!
“I can do anything for 2 minutes!”
F.E.A.R (Forget Everything And Run)
One foot in front of the other
“Finish Strong” or I always tell my children “Never Give Up”
A penguin, preferably with a drink in its wing.
“You are stronger than you think you are!”
Suck it up Buttercup…or if I need to be nicer to myself “If it doesn’t challenge you it doesn’t change you”
Train slow, run fast!
“Just BREATHE” or the other one would be “Slow, Steady, & Strong”
Relax and breathe…those we the words which get me through almost anything! 5K, half, full, life, etc!
I’m a clean slate (no real tattoos) My personal Motto is: Run Strong …… this keeps me going. When I’m feeling really good and the running Gods are with me, I change over to “Get some road kill” but this is rare and far in between.
My Mile Marking tattoo would read “I want it!” When I am out there training, I often ask myself, “Do you want it?” And I answer myself, “I want it!”
My new favorite mantra, thanks to coach MK, is simply “yet”. I may not be able to do everything as well or as fast as is like to but I remind myself to add YET and there are no limits to the possibilities of what I can achieve!!
Hooray for the TC 10! I’m doing it, too, as part of the Loony Challenge – I’m doing the 5k and 10k on Saturday, then the 10 mile on Sunday.
Any plans for a AMR meetup in the Cities? If not, you are welcome to attend our annual marathon weekend party! We carbo load with all our friends running the various races and it’s been great fun!
I think mine would hearken back to your actual tattoo, Dimity. I have been thinking “l;ght” ever since I saw it, and it motivates me in many ways. 🙂
Be Strong and Have Fun!
I have “breathe” and “dig deep” bracelets, but I also like the idea of “strong” and “you can do hard shit!”
“I’m never doing this again…until next time!” haha, I remember my first half marathon-I said I’d never run again….and then ran one 6 months later and am still running them!
Mine has always been “Never, ever give up”! Will probably be on my deathbed saying that!
Try Easy – my mantra since a trainer once told me – you need to try as hard as you can, but you need to let it be easy. To me it means stop fighting against myself and let my body do what I worked hard for it to be able to do. Try easy…it stuck!
Mine would say, “Have fun, don’t die” because that is my running motto!
I’ve been a “runt” my entire life. I was a tiny scrawny kid who was always underestimated. Even now as an adult, an Army veteran, business woman, and accomplished athlete, there are times when I feel like I will never be seen as more than a child, since I never grew much bigger! One of my favorite stories since my childhood was “The Little Engine That Could.” So mine would be either that title, or what the little engine says as it’s climbing up the hill- “I think I can, I think I can!”
I have used “Just keep swimming” in my last half, and right now I am using it especially again as I “swim” through the humidity 🙂
Dimity, so happy you’re running the TC 10 Mile. I’m running it too! It’s my fav.
Good luck training. Hope to see you on the course!
Speed Turtle. With a cute little cartoon turtle, wearing running shoes, of corse. : )
I think mine would say “Fly.” I love this mantra because it reminds me of a song by Beckah Shae that came on in the last 3k of my PR half. I literally felt like I was floating to the finish, and “fly” reminds me of that moment and that feeling.
#coachedandloved
Just Keep Swimming! I am training for my first Tri (sprint) next weekend and “Just keep Swimming” started as a way to get out of my head while swimming, but I’ve started singing it to myself anytime things get rough. It works in any situation! 🙂
My race, my pace…..
My mantra and my goal for every race……No regrets!
It would be the unofficial team name for my BRFs: Rebellious Runners. Complete with a skull and an orange daisy! Wish I could post a picture of our banner!
Run the One You’re In! And I’d also make one with the name of my Ragnar team, The Sweaty Striders.
I was running the Tokyo marathon this past February and saw a rare sign in English that said “Fight and Smile”. It was the right reminder at the right time and has been my mantra ever since.
“Girl Power!” for my Girls on the Run team, along with the GOTR “Adelaide” logo!
Dominate.
See you at the TC 10 mile Dimity! Look for me at the start. I’ll be the short one 🙂
depending on the race I intended to wear it (ie: is Dolly with me?) I would either get “IRun4Madelyn” or “WeRTeamMaddie”.
You’re Welcome
Mine would be: “She believed she could, so she did.”
This is why I don’t have a real tattoo yet, I have too many ideas! One would be “Run Wild, Live Free, Love Strong” with a lily. Another is “Run and not be weary. Isaiah 40:31” . And the other is “13e.1ieve.”
I am training for my first marathon and every since I registered (gulp), I have had one goal: to be “Badass at the Wineglass”. So that would definitely be my tattoo of choice! I want to feel badass that day, meaning: strong, ready, capable, confident. It doesn’t mean a certain time or pace, but a certain frame of mind because I will be chanting it in my head whenever things get rough: Badass at the Wineglass, Badass at the Wineglass.
My mantra this morning in the rain while doing 1k repeats was : “MK is right about HRT”. I discovered that my 10k pace equals my 2nd 2k in the EAT workout.
Love this. Mine would be one I heard on an AMR podcast once. “I can do more.”
I would have “run the mile you’re in” as my mantra. I also like the idea of using them to motivate you to get out there and run. The run/love infinity sign comes to mind.
I would have “Phil 4:13 I can do all things thru Christ who gives me strength”
And another one is “Believe in Yourself”
i don’t know for sure yet, but when I come back from this stinking injury and can run again it will be something like “remember when you couldn’t do this….”
I am enough.
Those three words have helped me through not only my first full marathon this past April, but have encouraged me through the toughest year of my life. When many things in my personal life were confusing & terrifying, remembering “I am enough” helped quiet the little devil on my shoulder.
Pain in temporary Regret is Forever.
I would probably do something simple like “smile.” My races always go better when I am smiling.
“Go Team Mendy!” and “You are strong.” I’m running a half marathon as a two person team with my BRF. She combined our names (Mary + Wendy) when she registered us as a team.
I own this!
“With joy and appreciation” (is what I have on my Road ID too, but I can’t read that teeny font while running, ha).
Just “BELIEVE”. I’m always trying to talk myself out of doing what I know I can do
The joy of the Lord is my Strength!
9-10-12…This is Easy!
Decisions, decisions! Maybe “We run for chocolate” for all the gals who take part in the annual chocolate run my local running grrrls do every year, or “Be Here Now” just for me? Regardless, I love this idea! Thanks!
Remember Your Why
Strong and steady
Be Audacious! (with a glitter unicorn)
You’ve got this!
#riseabove
This is my Victory Lap!
“Today is a Gift” – I’ve written that on my left arm for my past two marathons. I’m thinking of making it permanent!
I think I’d use “Have Fun!” But there’s a chance I’d want some sort of mind puzzle to solve as I go. 🙂
Swift & strong
“GO MOMMY”….my reminder of who’s watching and who I want to make proud.
DIG
“Run and Not Grow Weary Isaiah 40:31” “Run and Not Grow Weary” or “40:31” Any variation would work for me!
For our last marathon we wrote on my RP’s arm with a sharpie, “UNF$#%WITHABLE” (with the actual F word in it). That would be AWESOME as a temporary tattoo.
Well, I love the #BAMR one, but I also would go for Believe, or something like that.
Run for Joy (as a tribute to my BRF who lost her mom, Joy to early onset Alzheimer’s at age 61)
Believe.
Respect the Distance. I also have that as the last line of my RoadID.
This one may see strange but during the last quarter of a race I will repeat to myself “don’t dishonor what you have already done”. To me this means you have already done 75% of the race as best as you could, just because your tired is no reason to give up and slow down your pace. Keep it moving!
I am strong or not easy, worth it
‘Just keep running’ was my mantra for my first ever half and I recall it in hard runs. But today it would have to be ‘You are STRONG’ because when it’s hard as hell and I’m suffering and want to quit, I get a boost from remembering that I am strong.
“I can do this”.
Strong & Steady
GFGI – go f’in get it.
“No walking”. I tend to do that in the last few miles of a marathon.
Mine would say ‘don’t be stupid.’ Which is usually just what I need to hear to not go out too hard, not get in my head too much, etc. etc. I wrote it on my hand once for a race and I moved up several corrals for the Peachtree Road Race AND didn’t get injured. It works! 🙂
I few years ago I ran a 5k that had special meaning- it was not my first race but I really wanted to do well- I trained hard and as I was in the last stretch my mind began to falter- I talked myself out of it and I remember saying to myself “Trust in your Training”- that has become my mantra for tougher and longer distances. So that’s what I’d go with : Trust in your Training. BTW, those tattoos are awesome!
My favorite mantra “Dream”
I have 2 favorites. Keep Moving Forward with an arrow and another one that’s a little wordy but seems to work. Strong Body, Strong Mind, Strong Heart getting stronger.
These are awesome! I have 2. Fierce and hope
Oh my gosh I love these! “Perseverance wins”
5,6,7 – this is my “why” for fitness. The first for reasons I want to run are superficial. The 5, 6, and 7th reasons are the ones that make it stick….leaving a legacy for my children!
“Keep on keeping on!”
I’d have an image of a roadrunner — as an AZ girl (now in the Midwest) this zippy bird has become my running spirit animal. Words: Girl On Fire
“Get this one!”
Maybe this one already exists, but, my favorite mantra is “She believed she could, so she did!”
“Make them proud” for my kids who love watching me race
SISU I’MUA VASBYT SMILE – words to remind me to be tough, to keep moving forward, that I expect it to be hard and I can do it anyway, and to remember that I love this, chose this and I’m lucky to be able to do it!
Pain is temporary, Pride is forever.
I recently read that Kate Grace keeps the Zen saying “Chop the wood. Carry the water.” On her mirror. I looked up the full saying and loved it. I’d go with “Chop the wood.”
My favorite mantra: Run tall, run strong
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.