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Runner's Forum: Mental Difference

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  1.  
    • CommentAuthorFree Memberdvmtchll
    • CommentTimeSep 18th 2007
     
    dvmtchll

    So I have upped my daily run from 3.5 mi to 4 mi a couple of weeks ago. I have been consistantly running it between 35:50 and 36:10.

    This morning I ran the 4 mi at 34:38!

    The difference? I ignored the distance and worked on my pace. Somewhere in my head, 4 miles seemed too much. I would run it every morning and tell myself "4 miles, Dave! You can do it!" This morning, I wanted to beat my 35:50 and decided to focus more on my stride and pace and ignore the distance. What a difference.

    Just goes to show you: "If you think you can do something, you are right. If you think you can't, you are still right."

    • CommentAuthorFree MemberErinW
    • CommentTimeSep 18th 2007
     
    ErinW

    It is that mental variable that I find makes it very difficult to get a feel for the physical effort. If I'm feeling tired, I'll often go out and have a surprisingly good run. Similarly, I'll feel great and find that my run wasn't as strong as I thought it was going to be. All the books and magazines that say with experience, you start to be more in touch with your body. But I don't think that's necessarily true -- the mental variable overrides the physical signals.

    I am finding that using this tool to log my activity is helping tremendously, even more than from using a heart rate monitor. I'm getting a much better feel for my pace and effort by looking at the numbers immediately following a run and comparing to the same route on different days. My running is improving immensely after years of being in a holding pattern.

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberprovotina
    • CommentTimeSep 19th 2007
     
    provotina

    When I focus on distance, I get too caught up in, "just x more blocks, miles, whatever", always searching the horizon for my end point.

     But when I focus on my body and how it feels, I realize, "hey, I can breath, nothing hurts, my heart isn't pounding out of my chest", and I realize I don't actually have a reason to stop. That somehow gives me permission to stop thinking about it and start sorting out my day or my to-do list and forget that I'm actually running. I've found my pace, times, and distance has greatly improved with that minor mental adjustment.

     Too bad I don't always follow my own advice...

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberdvmtchll
    • CommentTimeSep 19th 2007
     
    dvmtchll

    "Too bad I don't always follow my own advice... "

     Aint that the truth!!

  5.  
    pattycake1356

    I'm fairly new to this site. Had my work hours decreased in half this summer, so decided ok, lets work on myself while I have the time. So, I started back into running (was on/off runner for last few years after doing extremely well in my 40's). I tend to run about 3 days a week averaging about 4 miles with one good size bridge incorporated into the run. I'm not doing to well on the time (48:01) today. My average hr was 161 with feeling tired/winded at 170 ish. 

    I do try to lift weights (overall body workout) twice a week and try to fit my second (newer) passion, golf about 2-3 x/week.

     I  love the running, but have read so much this week on this site, I'm wondering if my time is ok at this stage of about week 10 or should I be working on increasing speed. I have  many good thoughts and feel so much better since getting out there on the road. But I  wonder if I'm expecting to much to soon.  Today I tried examing my running form (changed a few things and seemed to like them).

    And advice or support would be welcome. I am 51 (where does the time go?), 5'3 female @ 136#.

    Thanks for all the notes I have read here. You all have returned the passion of running in me.

     

     

    • CommentAuthorFree Membersandytrilo
    • CommentTimeSep 24th 2007
     
    sandytrilo

    What a great way to think when out running. i've been thinking of my distance 98% of the time and then how am i feeling as i run for the other 2%.

    In everyday life isn't itgood to check in with yourself, how am i feeling?

    I never thought to relate this when running as well to a great extent, i can see how checking on yourself would work. I think in my run tommorrow while i'll have my goal mileage set out i may just try and change my way of thinking of how i am feeling in the run, breath wise etc.. because i was starting to think negatively of my distance ability and timing.

    Thank you for this thread, it has opened my eyes a litttle bit more and given me some extra motivation. 

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