Made_I7n_Heaven wrote:
I've tried to hang onto guys faster than me before, but I've chickened out mentally and let myself fade out once its gotten too tough multiple times. I know I essentially just have to go out there, grit my teeth, and do it. But some mental advice from tough runners would be nice.
A lot of great advice has been offered in this thread to address your problem above. Not getting into your fitness level and just addressing your inquiry above I will add what has helped several athletes that I coached.
Know, rehearse, and prepare for that moment you describe. Know that you will be faced with this decisive moment of truth to continue on or mentally/physically fade away. Of course it is easy to think and talk about it and 'fatigue makes cowards of all of us,' but try to make overcoming this one aspect the goal, regardless of what it brings late in the race. Try to avoid thinking about what is coming late in the race and start by overcoming this one moment in time and realize others are likely feeling something very similar to you.