I have a new theory that I think can help me (or any other run) to develop a truly winning attitude. It is inspired but what I saw as fear on the part of many elite runners from the U.S. (and elsewhere) at the Olympics. Fear of winning. Fear of seeing themselves as winners. I think that to race as if winning (not just PRs or even NRs -- WINNING) is a possibility, you need to believe and act like winning is a possibility.
The answer? PUT THE #1 UP. EVERY. SINGLE. INTERVAL. EVERY. HARD. RUN. EVERY. HILL. Even after well-controlled recovery runs. Give it to yourself and acknowledge your own greatness. I have been doing this for just a few days, and I already feel better as soon as a start running, knowing that the the #1 is going to go up in just a matter of minutes.
Don't understand why?
http://www.nancarrow-webdesk.com/warehouse/storage2/2007-w39/img.04458_t.jpg
vs.
http://coachjoeenglish.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/ryan-hall-new-half-marathon-record.jpg
That's why.
Let me know what you think, if you try this out, and especially how it goes. Are there any sports psychologists out there who have heard of this?