The Invisible-Rope Trick
I heard about this last Sunday while participating in the San Antonio Marathon.
I was part way through the route, and a female participant near me advised a third participant — an apparent friend — to use this trick to help him get through the race.
Here is what she told her friend:
- Find a strong runner (or walker) who is about ten feet ahead.
- Imagine an invisible rope tied around that participant’s waist.
- Imagine the other end of the rope tied around your waist.
- Imagine the rope to be taut now between the two of you.
- Imagine running (or walking) to keep the rope taut but not too taut.
Put simply, imagine that an obviously strong runner (or walker) not too far ahead of you is gently but firmly pulling you along by an invisible rope that connects your two waists.
I like this psychological trick. It is somewhat akin to being paced by a strong partner who is next to you. But you are using a stranger instead … and very likely without his or her knowledge.
What tricks have you used during a race? Please share them here. Thanks!
