The recipient of a bachelor's degree in chemistry and physics from Harvard College and an MBA from Stanford University, digital growth specialist Ed Baker has held executive roles with Uber and Facebook. He presently serves as a growth advisor to four California-based startup enterprises. Beyond his professional pursuits, Ed Baker is an avid runner who has competed in multiple marathons.
While physical exhaustion is common during marathons, having the mental toughness to endure difficult periods during the run can go a long way to whether or not you finish a race. One of the best ways to ensure you're mentally strong enough to get through a race is to increase your motivation. Generally speaking, the more motivated you are to perform, the more suffering you are able to tolerate.
According to sports scientist Romauld Lepers, you are limited by your perception of effort or, in other words, a lack of motivation. Having a good reason to complete a marathon, whether it be for personal health or to honor a loved one, can make a significant difference in your ability to get through physically-draining periods.
Self-encouragement can also play a vital role in getting you through a race. Researchers at Bangor University, in a study of individuals cycling to exhaustion, found that phrases like "you're doing well," and "drive forward" increased time to exhaustion by 17 percent.
