“Mental Preparation for the Marathon” mp3 download

Welcome to “Mental Preparation for the Marathon,” a visualization script written by Dr. David Asp.

Produced and copyright 2013 by Marathon & Beyond Magazine. Read by Kelly Jean Badgley.

This is a general audio guide you can use for mental training for a marathon. Please do not listen to this recording while driving, operating heavy machinery, or doing anything that requires your conscious attention.

Dr. David Asp is a Licensed Psychologist, member of the American Psychological Association, and a specialist in sports psychology. He has additional training in clinical hypnosis and is member of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis.

Dr. Asp is a former Certified Level One Coach for the US Triathlon Association, and has worked with elite level marathon runners, including two who competed in the 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials.

The visualization technique presented in this audio is an example of the extensive mental preparation experience Dr. Asp uses in working with athletes and sports teams at all levels and of all ages. Plus, he has his own endurance sports experience in 14 marathons, 3 Ironmans, and 26 cross-country ski marathons.

A few important notes:

• This information is intended for educational purposes only, not as medical advice.
• It is not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness.
• Your results, if any, will vary.
• Always check with your doctor before changing your exercise or health program.
• Last, if using this program creates any discomfort at any time, discontinue its use.

Click on the image above or the link below to download the .mp3 file. It may take several minutes to download.

Link:  Mental Marathon Preparation

If you would like to know more about Dr. Asp and his consultation with athletes, including personalized training and performance enhancement visualization recordings, you can e-mail him: DAASP@charter.net. Also, you can connect with Dr. Asp on his Facebook page @ Dr. David R. Asp Sports Psychology.

“Head Games”

In his recent book, Run Simple: A Minimalist Approach to Fitness and Well-Being, Marathon & Beyond author Duncan Larkin talks about the mental aspects of running. We all play “head games” with ourselves, but Larkin maintains that all you really need is the right attitude. Here’s what he has to say about “head games”: “Running is almost entirely a mental affair. You have to learn to believe in yourself and in your goals. You have to make peace with the fact that you won’t always “fire on all cylinders” every day, and that a bad run here or there isn’t going to prevent you from ultimately realizing success. Sometimes you can’t follow an exact plan because life gets in the way. Don’t quit! Just put one foot in front of the other and don’t take all your life’s worries out on the roads with you. If you do, leave them there when you return.

“Running should be fun! It’ shouldn’t be one more thing to stress and fret about. ‘Head games’ can sometimes be good; however, I use head games to convince myself to finish a tough workout. For example, I tell myself that if I complete the workout to standard, I will treat myself to something afterwards. Or I will convince myself to just focus on “one lap at a time” during a difficult set of track repeats. The key is to take all your mental effort and make it positive. Don’t waste any mental energy on doubt, frustration, and despair. Running isn’t always easy, but it should always be enjoyable and rewarding.” For more information about Duncan Larkin, click here to visit his website.

See the Nov/Dec 2012 issue of Marathon & Beyond to read Larkin’s short story “The Charlatan.”