Because I actually RAN a full 4 miles today. I’ve never, ever, in all of my 36 years, EVER run that far. I’ve been running a good 3 miles pretty consistently over the last two months, but I’ll admit, I was nervous when I saw my first 4 mile run marked on the training calendar for this morning’s run. I’ll also admit, that last mile was tough – not physically tough, though. It was mentally kicking my butt the whole time.
I was definitely not prepared for the mental training that running requires. I really thought as a runner, you just put on your shoes and you run. Piece of cake, right? I expected the physical training to crush me. I totally expected that. What I didn’t expect – never even considered, actually – was how mentally difficult running would be. I had no clue of the head games running would play with me. How my mind would completely convince me that I need to give up, that I will never make it, that I’m ridiculous for even attempting 4 miles, let alone 13.1. How physically, I can feel great, but in an instant my mind has me convinced I’ll never make it unless I stop to walk.
Frustrated with letting my mind lead me in my run, rather than my body, I turned to my dear friend Google to find some advice on toughening myself up mentally for the many miles headed my way. I came across this Run Quick site and liked their tips more than some of the others I found in my quest for information.
Two of my favorite ideas from their site are:
Visualization – In a nutshell, picturing yourself running quickly, effortlessly, finishing strong, feeling great, etc. Picturing yourself running that perfect race. If you think it, it will come true.
Positive Self Talk – Basically, if you tell yourself you’re tired and won’t ever make it, you’ll give up. Your mind wins, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Instead, tell yourself things like “this is no problem – I feel great and could run forever!” and watch yourself succeed.
These ideas sound good in theory, don’t they? They make sense to me now, when I’m sitting on my couch watching TV, and not in the midst of that last draining mile of my run. But on Thursday, I’m putting these two mental strategies to the test. Thursday is another 4 mile run. I’ll be dreaming of that perfect race Wednesday night- visualizing myself floating through the full 4 miles effortlessly in the early morning sun. When I find that voice creeping into my head tomorrow, telling me I’ll never make it and need to give up and walk, I’ll fight it off, reminding myself how great my legs feel, how perfect my breathing is, how I can run forever.
And, well, if it doesn’t work, and I find myself still going mental during the last mile, fortunately for me Quick Run still has 6 other strategies I can tap into for my 5 mile run scheduled on Saturday.
I think I can… I think I can… I think I can…
Keep on running!
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