Instead of tapering for the AT&T Austin Marathon on Sunday, try peaking for it. Peaking is more than just a physical process. Sure, we have reduced our training runs and are loading up on carbohydrates and fluids as well as resting for Sunday. All good things.

But peaking for AT&T is not just about getting the body ready for the physical demands that will follow. Peaking should also involve mentally peaking for the marathon as well.

In these last few days before the marathon or half-marathon, your training becomes less intense as your body recovers and recuperates. But your mental focus must become more intense, clearer and specific as the race approaches.

A mentally focused runner should exhibit these important characteristics as Sunday draws near:

1. Confidence. You should be confident of your ability to run well. In order to exhibit confidence, you must realistically look back at all the training which has been accomplished and set an achievable goal. That goal should be based on recent races, long runs and speed workouts. The success you have had in your workouts will give you the confidence that you can meet your goals—whether time, place or simply finishing—AT&T. You know what you’re capable of running and, in the race, it is only a matter of following through.
2. Calmness. Every marathoner and half-marathoner will be geeked to the gills at the starting line on Congress. That’s perfectly normal. The mentally focused runner can channel the excitement inward and not get to carried away on a sea of emotion at the start. If you do, you are likely to start the race at too fast a pace. If you've raced in the past few months, you should be used to the pre-race hoopla and have practiced centering yourself in a sea of calm.
3. Control. You’ve done this before—raced—and know what it’s like. You’ve prepared properly and arrive at the starting area early enough (some time around 6 a.m.) so you can complete your warm up routine in an unhurried manner. You stretch, you hydrate, you lubricate, you make a final bathroom stop—you take care of everything that needs to be done in a timely manner. You’re in charge of your race.
4. Engaged. This means going over your race plan one last time as you wait for the marathon to begin. And then once the starting gun goes off, sticking to it. That is, going out at a relaxed, even pace, checking your splits, hydrating properly and taking on any planned nutrition at specific spots on the course. This also means not trying to run over your head in the early miles. Being engaged, is all about following your race plan and not getting carried away with emotion until the latter stages of the race when you can use an emotional surge to carry you to the finish line.
5. Be process driven, not results driven. Concern yourself with what you need to do in the marathon, not with your expected final time. Treat the race like a long run. You have practiced that often enough and know what you have to do and when you have to do it. You know how to pace yourself judiciously. If you do, the results will come.
6. Fearless. This marathon or half-marathon will not be easy. It’s not supposed to be. But you have run countless miles, you have prepared for months for this day and you will not be denied. You are the one who is in control.