My eyes are closed but my mind races. I am seeing more with my eyes shut than if they were open. I see the future – to do’s, lists, finish lines. I see the past – mistakes, old habits, long training runs with pauses to cry in the middle. I’m in marathon training taper mode and not only is my body restless but my mind is too. Lucky for me, Lizzi Edwards, yoga ambassador at lululemon Rush Street in Chicago, is here to help me (and you!) filter those thoughts and use them to my competitive advantage.

Here are three mental techniques from Lizzi that'll turn crossing-the-finish-line dreams into realities!

1. visualization

Imagine yourself during your marathon. Add as much detail as you can do this imaging. What are you wearing? What kind of shoes do you have on? What did you eat for breakfast? Who is there supporting you? What sights, sounds and smells fill your senses? The more realistic you can get with your imagination, the more effective it becomes.

2. positive self talk

Self talk is the internal dialog that you have with yourself. Using ‘I am’ statements translate into a powerful reality. Lizzi’s advice rings so true: Take a moment and acknowledge where you go when that evil voice creeps into your head. Now create a declaration and say/chant/scream out loud, "I am strong. I am a marathoner. I am accomplished". Write the declaration on your arm, on your forehead, wherever you need to so you always remember that your evil voice is full of crap!

Gina and her declaration.

3. relaxation

As the yogis tell us, Prana (life force) travels on the breath. As you inhale, you bring fresh, new Prana into your being, as you exhale, you let go of whatever you no longer need. If you can control your breath, you can control your mind. Here’s how to practice: with eyes closed, count to two on each inhale and two on each exhale. As you get tired, exhale more. Try in for two, out for three, four, five...as many as is comfortable.

After practicing Lizzi’s tips, I know that not only is my body is ready to handle 26.2 miles, but my mind is ready too. #iamamarathoner.

join us for a pre-marathon visualization

Ambassador Lizzi will be leading pre-marathon meditation on Oct. 4

If you’re joining us in the Windy City for this year’s Chicago Marathon, stop by North Avenue Beach just north of the Boat House on Thursday, October 4 at 6:00 pm for a one hour visualization/stretch session with Lizzi. See you there!

It’s summer in Chicago and there is nothing Chicagoans love more than that. While our winter boots collect dust in the closet, we’re busy drinking beers on Sheffield, eating tacos at Big Star, rocking jorts at Lollapalooza and, of course, cheering on the Cubs at one of the worlds most famous parks.

batter's up!

Last Sunday, like all Sundays, I met my friends (not just any friends, my best friends… the kind that are more like family) on the quiet street in the early hours of the morning and headed to yoga. This wasn’t an unusual routine for us but this time it was different. Instead of riding down an escalator into a dimly lit studio, we walked through an empty, echoing stadium where thousands of people had been before us. Wrigley field has been hosting ball games for 96 years but this was the first time it'd open its gates to the yoga community. We were attending the Southport store opening party, a two-hour yoga class on the historic field.

hitting an om run

Walking onto the field was electric. That first connection of my bare feet to the grass gave me chills. I was on sacred ground and I could feel it. Chicagoans live and die by their teams and there I was, mat in tow, on Wrigley Field. Our practice was lead by three rock star ambassadors and was appropriately themed around victory. Not only did the Chicago yoga community show up but I met yogis and baseball fans alike, who had travelled from all over (think: Nevada, Texas, Michigan and Indiana) who made the trip just for this event.

a grand slam

In the middle of 1000 yogis, as I Chaturanga-ed my way into a Vinyasa, I looked to my friend Katy and said, “this is once in a lifetime. You’ll never have your face in Wrigley Field again.” I didn’t want the practice to end. Every now and then a light breeze would swing by and remind me just how alive I felt in that moment, surrounded by my friends, my co-workers and my community. The opportunity to practice yoga on Wrigley Field was such a celebration of our city, such an ode to its beauty. A true victory.

Any baseball fans out there? Give our Southport store a visit! Its design was inspired by the Chicago ball culture (Cracker Jacks not included).