8/13/2019 MindCoach Aims to Bring Mental Training to Everyday Athletes

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NEWMARATHON

The Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor Con-

vention and Visitors Bureau announced in November plans for

the first Starved Rock Country Marathon, scheduled for May

10, 2014. The event will feature both a full and half marathon

and will start and finish in Ottawa. Though the official route

will not be announced until Janu ary, the race will be held

entirely on roads. To register or for more information,visit www.starvedrockcountrymarathon.org.

COMING TO OTTAWA

NEXT MAY

16 JANU ARY/ FEBRUA RY 2 014 MYCHICAGOATHLETE.COM

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Physical preparation is a critical element ofgetting ready for endurance competition,but mental training can make a major dif-

ference in performance as well. Tough a visit to asports psychologist can help you train your brain forrace day, the cost of a one session can make thatkind of training unreasonable for someone lookingto place in a neighborhood 5K. MindCoach, an au-dio mental training program created by Brian Har-ris and Suzanne Norman, works to make mentalpreparation accessible to the masses.

Harris, six-time Illinois Cyclist of the Year and anendurance sports coach, found that many athletesneglected mental training but couldnt figure outhow to solve that problem. After meeting Norman,a sports hypnotist, the two paired up to create a va-riety of audio programs available in both CD andMP3 formats to help athletes mentally prepare forendurance sports.

You have to look at each individual spor t and thinkof the nuances of the sport, Harris says. Whatdoes that sport need? What do you need to excel inthat sport? Tats how we write the script.

Self-confidence and positivity form the core ofthe program.

Its al l about overcoming self-doubt, negative think-ing, race day jitters and just improving your powerfor your overall performance, Harris says. Its aboutcreating a positive mental image of yourself and thengoing into training and competition and using thatpositive reinforcement to excel at running, triathlon,cycling or whatever sport youre doing.

Harris is quick to emphasize that mental trainingcant replace physical training, but instead is a use-ful addition to help athletes up their game.

We want to give athletes a better opportunity toexcel at their sport, Harris says. Were not tryingto change training programs. Were just trying toenhance the mental aspect of training. If you im-prove your mental capabilities, your physical capa-bilities go along with it. You start to see improve-ments in your training.

To learn more about MindCoach or purchase theaudio packages, visit www.athletesmindcoach.com.

MindCoachAims to Bring Mental Training to Everyday Athletes

CARA ANNOUNCES

2013 CIRCUIT

WINNERS AND2014 CIRCUIT RACESThe Chicago Area Runners Associationnamed Emisael Favela of Berwyn and JacquiGiuliano of Oakwood Hills the CARA Maleand Female Runners of the Year, respectively,in late December. Favela finished the 2013Runners Choice Circuit with 116 points, whileGiuliano finished with 139. The Race Thats

Good For Life 5K was chosen as the CARARace of the Year for 2013.

CARA also announced the lineup for the 2014CARA Runners Choice Circuitin December.

March 30 Bank of AmericaShamrock Shuffle 8K

April 6 Race Thats Good for Life 5KApril 19 FirstMerit Bank Lakefront 10 MileApril 27 Ravenswood 5K

May 10 Quarryman 10 MileMay 24 Elgin Valley Fox Trot 10 MileJune 1 Roselle Run for the Roses 5KJune 7 Michelob ULTRA Chicago 13.1June 22 Downers Grove 5 MileJuly 4 Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th

July 27 Northwestern UniversityRun for Walk 4.1 Miles

Aug. 24 Fort 2 Base 10 Nautical MilesAug. 31 Buffalo Grove Stampede 10KSept. 7 Chicago Half Marathon

Sept. 27 Park Ridge Charity Classic 5KOct. 12 Bank of AmericaChicago Marathon

Oct. 26 Evanston Trick or Treat Trot 6KNov. 16 Red Eye 8K

Circuit schedule is subject to change.

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