Training Mantras to Kick Start Your New Year’s Resolutions

For many people, 2020 has been a tough year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The continued spread of the virus means every day routines have been disrupted, intermittent lockdowns are now the new normal and social interactions remain limited. So, it’s completely understandable if resolutions made for the year were revised, shelved or completely thrown out.

As the year winds down and we look forward to 2021, the uncertainties surrounding the pandemic may make you hesitant to creating a new year’s resolution, but they may be even more worthwhile. With the limitations and challenges brought on by the coronavirus, instead of creating a list of things to do, we recommend creating a list of inspirational and motivational messages to not only start the new year with a positive mind, but to power you through, and ultimately, help you achieve some amazing things over the next 365 days.

In the meantime, here’s a few to get you started:

• If it doesn’t challenge me, it doesn’t change me.
• As it gets harder, I get stronger.
• 80 percent of success is showing up.
• Mind over matter.
• Tough times don’t last; tough people do.
• Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.
• Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out.
• It doesn’t matter how slow you go, as long as you don’t stop.
• I’m not telling you it’s going to be easy… I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it.
• Must Do. Can Do. Will Do.

The running community has many mantras, some unique to Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) runners. And with large live events paused and virtual running events the new norm, many runners got through this year’s virtual MCM repeating their favorites over and over again for some extra motivation. While it may not be the same as the in-person experience, there are lots of advantages to a virtual event and being your own personal event organizer!

• MCM runners have window periods of two weeks up to a month to complete virtual events, which means flexibility on when and where to run; you get to choose the best day with the ideal weather, a familiar route and the perfect start time for you.
• With virtual events, the costs associated with transportation and accommodations is limited and can be put to other uses like donating to a charity partner. Registration is now open for the virtual Marine Corps 17.75K, Historic Half, Semper 5ive and Devil Dog Double.

So, whenever you feel like you can’t get that run in, meet that personal record or you’re just feeling down, say your mantras aloud or post them where you can see them and go from there.

Good luck, stay safe and we hope to see you at a finish line soon!