151 the last mile of a run is tough youre exhausted at the end of your playlist and probably have other things on your mind read postrun brunch even the pros sometimes struggle to get through that final stretch i know im getting close to the finish line but it also takes a tremendous amount of energy to sustain my pace for what seems like an eternity says ultramarathoner stephanie howe but whether youre training for an upcoming race or just completing your mileage for the day that last mile is an important one here the best mental tricks from runners running coaches and health editors to help you stay motivated until the finish line focus on the after i picture myself finishing then enjoying whatever im going to be doing right after having something to drink a snack or seeing my family visualizing the after seems to make the just before less painful beth lipton health food director and avid runner use your secret weapon my strategy for getting through the last mile is twofold first i keep a positive attitude and tell myself what a great job im doing seriously sometimes i even say those words out loud stephanie you are doing your very best right now great job or come on little legs only a few more minutes and then you get a long break i really believe in the power of selftalk and keeping a positive attitude secondly i make sure to keep fueling many runners totally forget that they need to keep fueling so they have enough energy to make it to the finish line my secret weapon is clif shot energy gel in double espresso 24 for 24count amazoncom its in a platinum package for a reason throughout the race i alternate between clif bloks energy chews and clif organic energy food but i save my platinum package until the end the energy i get from it not only gets me to the finish line but i usually arrive with a smile as well stephanie howe the 50 most gorgeous running races in america state by state try the 10minute trick one mental thing i always use when things are hard is telling myself you can handle anything for 10 minutes i think about how short 10 minutes is in the grand scheme of things and im able to go the extra mile literally maryann barone health social media editor and avid runner remember your goals i tell myself a few different things and i say some of these in my class during the last pushes too the first one is from one of my favorite cyclists jens voigt shut up legs do what i tell you ill also think how would giving up now look on social media youve made it this far just one more mile and wait this race is pointtopoint have to get to the finish to get my bag anyway its easy to say remember why you came