One of the concerns/ questions I frequently hear is how do you run for 1-2 or more hours without losing your mind?
Also – How do you keep from quitting when you are a long wqay into a run and feel like heck?
As an athlete my whole life I have been playing the mental game most of my life.
I have spent a lot of time focusing on performance and results and that picture in my head has helped me survive into the 4th quarter as well as gotten me from mile 10 to 13 in a challenging 1/2 Marathon. I have also worked on the “voices” in my head and forced them to be or become more positive and upbeat.
I recently read a great book that addresses theses issues as they impact running.
Running Withinby Jerry Lynch and Warren Scott- Talks about Visualizations and Affirmations. here is a very concise summary of their book.
Visualizations- Create and Keep a set of goals for life and events.races and picture them n your head and practice this picturing/visualizing so it is in there and can be accessed during stress and pain.
Affirmations- With the same goals write out positive present tense statements to read and repeat to yourself daily- while at home, work, training and racing. These statements will be what you say to yourself when your a “feeling it” during a workout or race.
This is a very simple summary of a 190 page book. Get the book nd enjoy the growth. You can even apply it to your work or school or family life.
Imagine the possibilities.
