Monday, March 10, 2014

How To Get Through

Posted by Anonymous

Happy Monday everyone! I am so glad that we lost an hour of sleep this weekend! That was just what I needed!

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So, ya, it sucks losing that hour but I do love the fact that at 7:45 last night there was still daylight to be seen! Now we just need this snow to melt so I can get back outside to run.

For all those of you who were wondering… I did get my 16.5 mile run in on the weekend! Yay!

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I am not going to lie and say, it was a great run and I felt great the whole time.. It was a huge mental challenge for me. Physically, I felt pretty good but mentally, I had to talk myself through the last 10 miles. I don’t know if it is the treadmill that is challenging me mentally these days, or what… I feel like it is but it has been so long since I have done a long run outside that I can’t say for sure. I alternated between watching tv and listening to music to get through. It felt soooo long and all I could think about was, how am I going to get through 19 miles on the treadmill for my run next weekend….

I realize I am going to have to dig deep to get through another couple long runs on the treadmill before I can start doing them outside so I went to my good pal “Google” for some tips for next time.

Here are a few suggestions that it gave me:

1. Try Some Self-Talk
Give yourself a pep talk, tell yourself you are not physically tired, just mentally and that you can push through this. Say things like “I’ll have some water in 5 minutes and this will make me feel better”. If this is your longest run ever, tell yourself how proud you will feel when you are finished.

I do a lot of this in all areas of my life already, so this is an easy and good one for me to remember to do.

2. Break Up Your Run
Break your run up into smaller segments. If you are running 20 miles, break it up into 4-5 mile runs. After each 5 miler, mentally start over like it is the beginning of a 5 mile run.

I did do this on Saturday. I did it by tv shows, then by number of songs on my ipod. I would go 5 songs, then 4 songs, then 3 songs…etc.

3. Find a Mantra
Pick a short phrase like “One step at a time” and repeat it over and over again. This will keep you focused and centered.

This phrase would not work for me, as I would just think, “ugh, that is a lot of steps…”

I might say something like “I can do this, and I will do this”.

4. Make Post-Run Plans
I love deciding what I am going to do after my run. Usually it revolves around what I am going to eat, like a big plate of nachos or something! It gives me something to look forward to.

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5. Visualize Your Race
If you are training for a race, such as a marathon, picture yourself running the course, and crossing that finish line. Picture how you want to pose for your photo as you run through the finish line.

I am sure how I picture myself running through that finish line is NOT at all how I am going to look but it’s a good thought anyways.

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This is how I don’t want to look!

So, I hope I can remember all these things and try them out this weekend.

Hope you all have a great day!

What is your running mantra?

What is the 1 thing that helps you get through a long run?

14 comments:

  1. My mantra is winter work = spring success

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  2. Christine@ Apple of My EyeMarch 10, 2014 at 12:26 PM

    Congrats on your run! That's an insane distance and I wish I was at the fitness level to accomplish something like that!

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  3. My mantra is "suck it up."
    I play with my speed all the time to pass the time on the treadmill. I will increase every minute and then go back down - over and over.

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  4. I love breaking up long runs mentally. I even do this in races, setting small goals along the way really helps. Nice work getting the long run in and pardon me while I got find nachos now that I am craving those.

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  5. Heidi @ www.idlehide.comMarch 10, 2014 at 2:50 PM

    I always have to break up my long runs, for the marathon after 21km I went mentally to 25, 30, 35, 40 and then the last 2k. It's an insane distance, but I promise it's worth the pain and training:) PS. I like the last pic of you!

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  6. Amy @ fitnessmeetsfrosting.comMarch 10, 2014 at 3:41 PM

    Haha that meme is so true. Dropped my phone into the sink this AM (hopefully it's not damaged)- lovely way to start the week. I don't know how you do those treadmill runs! You're a beast! If I absolutely had to do a long run on the treadmill, I'd probably get a movie I've been dying to see and watch it during the run. But food planning is always good motivation :)

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  7. Those nachos look so good! And I like the time change because I love leaving work when it is still light out!

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  8. That is a great one Mike! I will have to remember that one!

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  9. It has been a long work in progress but thanks Heidi!

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  10. That is also a good idea Kim. I have done that before and it does help!

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  11. Funny, I have to tell myself "I am so proud of you!" sometimes!! It really does work:)

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  12. It's amazing what that positive self talk can do!!

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  13. katie @ fromicecreamtomarathonMarch 11, 2014 at 5:47 PM

    Great job Rhoda! It's definitely not as easy doing long runs on the tm. Hopefully it warms up soon so you can get back outside. I just think about what kind of ice cream I'm going to eat when this is all over. Although those nachos look deelish!

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  14. Thanks Katie!! You are killin it with your long runs lately!!

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