Words: Steve Moneghetti

With race weekend quickly approaching, this is the time to steel your resolve and reaffirm the race day goal you established when you began training for your chosen event all those weeks ago.

I always say a goal will ensure you have a focus for your training.

Always set a goal that has an end point, as you are doing by entering your Gold Coast Marathon event in the first place.

This will ensure you get into action quickly.

Once you set the goal then work backwards and set minor steps towards achieving your ultimate aim.

This will give you a short term focus.

Your goal must be something that you are willing and capable of working towards – physically, mentally and financially.

Tell friends and family about your goal as stating it publicly makes you more accountable; they will also then become your best supporters.

Always write the goal down so it has a physical presence.

Place it in a strategic place at home or work, on your bedroom mirror, toilet door, fridge or office work station.

Also include a bonus for achieving the goal such as buying yourself a new pair of runners, shouting yourself to your favourite café or restaurant, going to a day spa; anything that is a personal reward for achieving it.

Four-time Gold Coast Marathon winner and good friend Pat Carroll has provided some fantastic motivation and goal-setting tips, and I urge both the serious and not-so-serious participants to check them out.

As Pat says, your goal must be something that you are willing and capable of working towards – physically, mentally and financially.

As he says, a high goal can still be realistic.