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The Mentality of a Runner

July 17, 2013 34 Comments

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I have been thinking a lot about the Freedom Four Miler on the Fourth and just how much of an out of body experience it felt like for me.  I guess it felt like that primarily because I seriously didn’t know (or think) I could run that fast that long.

I went into that race TELLING myself I was going to run a conservative pace with the intent of not getting my hopes up for anything more.  Which essentially is my way of diverting myself from failure.

That is where the mental aspect of running comes into play.  Now that that race is behind me, I can see that over coming the mental hurdles I set for myself is a far more challenging task than the physicality of running because it effects everything…every run..every outcome.

Even before I tie my shoes, I “tell myself” how the run is going to go.  I tell myself that I’m just gonna do a 10:00 pace or something like that.  I’m starting to realize that by doing that..by having that little talk that ultimately ends in setting “fake goals” that I’ve backed down, laid up (in golf terms) and just plain underestimated myself.

The race on the fourth showed me that I need to get stronger mentally.

That race showed me that I’m capable of so much more than I give myself credit for and that the only thing standing it my way is what’s between my ears.

I have always known I’m just a little off but it’s time to start working on the weak link in my training.  My mind.

It’s time to stop telling myself what I’m capable of and just start seeing what I’m capable of.  It’s time to start taking risks, and pushing myself.  It’s time I start telling myself that it’s time run.

Actions speak louder than words, right?  What’s your advice?  What’s your biggest personal fitness obstacle?

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Comments

  1. Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says

    July 17, 2013 at 8:48 am

    YES! I love the saying “You are so much stronger than you think you are.” I’m with you in needing to SEE rather than tell more often these days. I think we both are going to be very, very surprised!

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      July 18, 2013 at 8:52 pm

      I think I’m going to tattoo this on my arm this weekend. 😉

      Reply
  2. misszippy says

    July 17, 2013 at 10:59 am

    Racing is so much a mental game! I have learned over the years that confidence on race day is my best friend. When I have it, I have this sense of calm leading into race day and I perform as i want. Lack it and, well, it’s not my day. The biggest thing to latch onto is training. If it’s there and you’ve done your homework, believe in the fact that you can perform!

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      July 18, 2013 at 8:52 pm

      I think I definitely need to work no being confident.

      Reply
  3. MIZ says

    July 17, 2013 at 11:29 am

    Ive not yet NAILED the mental piece of running—but for me it’s some thing I still want to try and conquer.
    ONCE.
    ONE MARATHON.
    to see if mentally I can do it.

    xo

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      July 18, 2013 at 8:57 pm

      Oh! You can do it!

      Reply
  4. AmyC @ running escapades says

    July 17, 2013 at 11:31 am

    I love surprising myself by doing better than I thought I could. It’s ok to be conservative or have a plan B because every day is different, but it’s also important to give yourself credit and acknowledge that you are STRONG!

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      July 18, 2013 at 8:59 pm

      Thanks Amy!

      Reply
  5. Jennifer F says

    July 17, 2013 at 11:57 am

    Sometimes the mental is all I have! I never go up to a start line thinking I can’t perform, even if the training isn’t all there. My brain refuses to accept that I can’t run quite as fast as I could in my “other” running life (late 20s). I push it to the extreme discomfort (pain?) level at every race and manage the last half of race by positive mind talk (like a mantra or a memory of winning), focal points, form checks . . . and a lot of praying “get me to the finish line and I will never do this again” lol

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      July 18, 2013 at 8:59 pm

      Such good insight!

      Reply
  6. Nicole @ Work in Sweats Mama says

    July 17, 2013 at 12:11 pm

    Great post! I often struggle with the mental aspect of running. Right now I’m starting marathon training for Richmond, and I get a little overwhelmed looking at the tempo & speedwork paces on my plan. I know I’m capable of doing the workouts, but the little voice in my head starts to whisper doubts & fears. Sometimes I have to tell myself to shut up and just let my body do the talking.

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      July 18, 2013 at 9:01 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  7. Axel Kussmann says

    July 17, 2013 at 12:30 pm

    I don’t think you should feel bad about ‘telling’ yourself anything (as long as it’s not negative). Visualization is so important to racing, and that’s how I see your self-talk beforehand… I guess freeing yourself from expectation and ‘going with the flow’ have their benefits too…

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      July 18, 2013 at 9:01 pm

      I need to visualize different outcomes maybe. 😉

      Reply
  8. Laura @ Mommy run fast says

    July 17, 2013 at 12:35 pm

    There is such a huge mental component to running… if you think you can, you will! Excited for you!

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      July 18, 2013 at 9:02 pm

      Thanks Laura!

      Reply
  9. Madeline @ Food Fitness and Family says

    July 17, 2013 at 12:59 pm

    Running is hugely mental! I think it is important to visualize and set goals but then also be able to not let those “goals” hold you back. It’s a tricky balance.

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      July 18, 2013 at 9:02 pm

      So true!!

      Reply
  10. Kat @ Sneakers and Fingerpaints says

    July 17, 2013 at 1:00 pm

    I just break my runs up to make them easier to accomplish and avoid being overwhelmed – especially with my first marathon! It’s never easy, but I find it more attainable that way

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      July 18, 2013 at 9:02 pm

      Great strategy!

      Reply
  11. Christine says

    July 17, 2013 at 1:11 pm

    I totally get this Katie. I always “talk myself down” and underestimate myself I think as a way to temper my expectations. Or when I do better than I expect, I tell myself it was a fluke. The mental aspect definitely is the biggest hurdle for me and something I need to work on too!

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      July 19, 2013 at 3:24 am

      Exactly!

      Reply
  12. Heather (Where's the Beach) says

    July 17, 2013 at 1:12 pm

    Yep – mental games! I sometimes have to just let go and go with it – stop telling myself that “I can’t” and just do it. My first 10K I had said I wanted at least xx minutes. And I almost kept myself at that pace rather than letting my body do it’s thing. I started thinking about the excitement of crossing the finish line and how great the run was going and the next thing I knew, I was blowing my time out of the water. By just letting go.

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      July 19, 2013 at 3:25 am

      That’s exactly what I need to do!

      Reply
  13. Cupcake Kelly says

    July 17, 2013 at 1:52 pm

    I agree, it is so easy to let the mental part take control instead of our bodies!

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      July 19, 2013 at 3:26 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  14. *CaNdY FiT* says

    July 17, 2013 at 2:43 pm

    Yes, absolutely! You can do it…visualize 🙂

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      July 19, 2013 at 3:26 am

      Thanks lady!!

      Reply
  15. Tasha @Healthy Diva says

    July 17, 2013 at 3:46 pm

    I struggle mentally everyday. It is my weak link by far. It got so bad recently that my former coach told me to either stop running or seek the help of a professional sports psychiatrist.

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      July 19, 2013 at 3:26 am

      I feel you!

      Reply
  16. Itz Linz says

    July 17, 2013 at 3:57 pm

    i TRY and stay confident and tell myself I CAN DO IT. cliche but hey whatever works! 🙂

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      July 19, 2013 at 3:27 am

      Whatever works! 🙂

      Reply
  17. Lisa@RunWiki says

    July 18, 2013 at 1:33 am

    My biggest obstacle is living to strict by the numbers. I am always measuring time and distance when I really should be running to effort. What I am I going to do today? Will it be an easy, tempo, fartlek or long, My body knows what the effort should be. Sometimes, you really need to work by numbers, but honestly I do better when I go by feel.

    Reply
    • Katie McFarland says

      July 19, 2013 at 3:27 am

      Great insight!

      Reply

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