Facing the Mental Noise Before Race Day
In May 2022, I finished the Barcelona Marathon, but in the two weeks leading up to it, my mind was piping up with all kinds of negative commentary: What if race day doesn’t go to plan? What if I don’t finish?
Numerous “what if” scenarios were playing out in my mind. That kind of thinking wasn’t going to set me up for success on race day.
Recognising the Pattern of Self-Doubt
As I reflected on those thoughts, I realised this wasn’t the first time I’d experienced this kind of mental chatter. A similar pattern emerged during my climb to the summit of Mont Blanc. On the final day of the climb, I found that mastering my mind was one of the biggest challenges—not the cold, not the altitude, but my own internal dialogue.
Reframing the Inner Monologue
From my Mont Blanc climb, I learned the importance of creating space to reframe my thinking. Dismissing self-doubt and actively replacing it with words of encouragement was a conscious choice. By shifting my internal narrative, I changed the trajectory of my day and ultimately reached both the finish line in Barcelona and the summit of Mont Blanc.
I found that mastering my mind was one of the biggest challenges, not the cold, not the altitude, but my own internal dialogue
Final Thoughts: Success Starts Within
Whether you’re standing at the start line of a marathon, the foot of a mountain, or about to embark on a new project, your mind can be your greatest ally or your biggest obstacle. I’ve learned that success often begins not in the legs or lungs, but in the stories we tell ourselves and the words we choose to believe.
