Affirmation is positive encouragement. “Good job” would be a common example. While everyone could use it from time to time, affirmation is a particularly useful mental boost for marathon running.
When a runner “hits the wall,” faces a grueling uphill, or battles driving rain, every ounce of encouragement becomes fuel for that moment. Unless you’re always surrounded by a cheering squad, self affirmation would come in handy in the lonely climbs.
My favorite is “Yes, I can.” Whether it’s tackling the final 6 miles or a daunting hill, this affirmation shifts my mindset. It begins to fill the blank with positive rationales–the assurance of marathon training–why I can overcome the obstacle instead of giving up.
This logic extends beyond racecourse, to our daily life. Life is inherently unpredictable. It is better to practice the affirmation now. So when the road gets tough, you have the habit and the strength to draw from–rather than grasping straw at the last minute.
Do you have a favorite affirmation?
Running with Buddha 
Yours reminds me of the wee train in Dumbo. Going up the hill ‘I think I can I know I can…’
Mine is much less kind but gets the job done. I tend to pep talk myself with a quick ‘quit your sh**’ when I catch myself being wah or plain unreasonable.
More positively, particularly when it comes to those trying motherhood moments, I use a ‘you’re doing great’.
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Sure Emma, whatever works. I believe that everyone could use a bit of encouragement. And affirmation is a great tool to do that— with or without others. Thank you for sharing.
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