So I ran my first real race today (Bay 2 Breakers 12k) my goal was to try to get as close to 10:00/mile as I could, I exceeded my expectations and ran it in 9:32/mile.  About half way through I started feeling tired and noticed my pace slipping, and so I just kept repeating in my head "the people in front of you have run further than you and they're fine." Then I started psyching myself up by picking out people just in front of me who looked tired and started picking them off one by one.  Within a few hundred yards my legs felt fresh again and my pace only kept getting faster and faster.
user
ran first race better than expected because I ignored the pain and kept reminding myself that I am no weaker than the people
assistant
So I ran my first real race today (Bay 2 Breakers 12k) my goal was to try to get as close to 10:00/mile as I could, I exceeded my expectations and ran it in 9:32/mile.  About half way through I started feeling tired and noticed my pace slipping, and so I just kept repeating in my head "the people in front of you have run further than you and they're fine." Then I started psyching myself up by picking out people just in front of me who looked tired and started picking them off one by one.  Within a few hundred yards my legs felt fresh again and my pace only kept getting faster and faster.
user
When you're tired, your mind thinks everyone else is tired, so you can't go faster.
assistant