Runners: how do you deal with a mental block?

LindsayE007

I love running to music but I have found listening to podcasts of whatever you are interested in (I like Dave Ramsey or Life Church) totally distracts me. I have to think about what they are saying and it helps my mind zone out. I tend to listen to podcasts for my training stuff and music during races. They get me pumped up a little more but the podcasts distract me when I am running alone and just want to turn around and go home : )

nicolekrezinski

I must be odd, because my mental block is usually at the beginning of my running - like for the first mile. By the time I've gotten some distance, the longer I've been running, the more I want to run. I generally have to tell myself at the beginning how far I'm gonna go that time and then tell myself to stop once I get there. If I overdo it, I tend to get over-use injuries...

I am the same way. Once I've finished the first mile, I feel like I could go forever. I try to get lost in my thoughts. When I really feel like I can't go anymore I picture myself running the race and about to finish with the crowds cheering and my son so proud of me.

"winners find a way. Losers find an excuse".

Anomalia

I imagine myself shrinking a tiny bit with each stride.

Lolli1986

The key to running, for me, has been to avoid stopping at all costs. My default response to every non-urgent physical pain was always to "just slow down" on the advice of a friend, and "see if it goes away". Because it almost always goes away, I had no physical or mental reason to stop.

I remember that on my circuit there was an incline that was so slight that I could not see it, but could feel it. I didn't know it was an incline, all I knew was that i suddenly found it very hard and wanted to stop because i did not understand why it was suddenly so hard. I also just find the end of the first 2km the hardest, so this incline occurred at a particularly bad place. To get through it mentally, I had to prove to myself that I could get through it physically.

All of my 'mental' blocks were fear of physical pain or difficulty... so I guess I don't relate to a pure mental block.

May I suggest you try some fairly serious uphill running, if you can. I found it taught me calm and control really quickly. My hill is a 3km road going up 300m. I never managed to run past the 3rd steeper bit without stopping, but I did make it past the first two steepest bits.

brandimacleod

bump for when I have more time to read!

JulieDerda

love the zombies tip...I'm going to use that! I think I need to get some mantras going, too...I've tried that before without much success, but I think there might be something to saying them outloud. Thanks for your suggestions!

Honestly, I feel like a complete fool talking to myself, but it works for me. If I'm running my mouth, it's hard to hear the internal dialog.

agree << If I feel the need to stop I think to myself>would I stop if there was zombies or something else chasing after me? NO! when that fails I also do talk outload to myself. WELL more like a yell saying "come ON you can do it" i give my self a pepp talk every other inch of the way.

sarafil

thank you to everyone for their advice and suggestions, this has been really helpful. I have my first official running event today (5k). If my mind starts acting up I'll use these tips....thanks!

wwk10

This tip is a little off topic.
I know the OP was talking about getting over the mental block of wanting to quit.
There is also the mental block of getting up and doing it.

I usually spend about 30 minutes in traffic on my way home after work.
The slow speed of rush hour traffic drives me crazy.
Its 5 minutes out of my way to drive by the beach (If you dont live near the beach it could be a park or trail etc)
So now on the way home I stop and run on the beach. I get home at about the same time.

At 5:30 I am staying out of the rush hour traffic.
At 5:30 the beach is empty bc everybody is rushing home for supper.

I hate to run, but I am starting to look forward to my days on the beach. A little serenity.

therealangd

I tell myself to "Keep going. You're not going to drop dead yet. You've still got a little more" Then I usually get lost in my breathing or my book again.

There've been a few times where the mental will win and I stop. It's like 5 seconds and I say "See, you didn't drop dead. Get moving"

12by311

I must be odd, because my mental block is usually at the beginning of my running - like for the first mile. By the time I've gotten some distance, the longer I've been running, the more I want to run. I generally have to tell myself at the beginning how far I'm gonna go that time and then tell myself to stop once I get there. If I overdo it, I tend to get over-use injuries...

I am the same way. Once I've finished the first mile, I feel like I could go forever. I try to get lost in my thoughts. When I really feel like I can't go anymore I picture myself running the race and about to finish with the crowds cheering and my son so proud of me.

"winners find a way. Losers find an excuse".

Yes, the first mile, by FAR is the worst for me. I hate the first mile....especially when the first mile of my run is on a steady incline in the road. Not a hill..hills I can handle...steady inclines are the worst.

Once I'm past that first mile, I feel great. So I just try to push through and focus on other things....the song I'm listening to, something I'm looking forward to, anything besides running.

Sarabeth5

Bump for later

tito_diaz

Im glad you said "will run for food" lol thats hilarious! But I like to hike and I LOVE pizza. I can burn 900-1800 calories on my hikes and have yet to take advantage of the extra calorie burn with pizza yet. Are you guys saying as long as my caloric intake is offset by exercise I should be ok and can eat guilt free? Because if you did I would love you forever haha jk bit I would be happy

^^ Are you kidding me? Pizza is almost a requirement after a hardcore workout!

Woohooooooo lol thanks!