Running

JustJennie1

If I'm running out side and I'm getting that voice in my head I'll picture the route and give myself little goals to shoot for. When the voice kicks in and says "You could walk. No one would know that you didn't run the whole route!" I tell myself that I would know and I'd feel cheated if I did that. At that point I'll bring it in and slow it down for a little while.

susanb8500

Do you read Runner's World? I really like the magazine. In one issue, there was a story of a runner (I can't remember her name, but she holds world records, etc.) who explained her mental blocks. She talked about feeling "not good enough" and completely psyching herself out. She explained she is always working to overcome the mental sabotage. She sees a sports psychologist. Obviously, we can't all do that - and don't need to do that. What I remember from the article is she used mantras. She said she'd even write her mantra on her arm or finger so she could look down at the mantra during her run. She used short mantras like "be strong." You may want to think of what you want from running and make that your mantra. Is it endurance, stamina? I like to think of those things but also silly things like "no chub rub" to keep me going. Just keep it up! You're doing great!

Moriarty_697

Music is a definite plus as is running with someone. That said, when I'm running outside, I don't often get that voice. On the treadmill is a different story. I finally gave up my gym membership because I couldn't handle knowing that no matter how far or fast I ran, I just wasn't going to get any closer to that speck on the wall. So I would give into the voice and my runs got shorter and shorter.

Outside is a whole different matter. When I'm walking or running outside, my mind knows it's play time. It can and does wander. There's something about the rhythm of moving feet that just works for me. That doesn't mean the running is easy or that I don't spend a good part of it wondering how I'll make it to the next corner, but then my mind will wander off and deal with some other matter and I keep putting one foot in front of the other.

I don't know how you get to that point. Me, I've always gone for long walks, not for exercise, but because it's one of my favourite ways to get around. Even at my fattest, I didn't shy away from long walks (though they were a lot slower than they used to be). So my running mindset is just an extension of my longstanding walking habit.

That said, maybe you should look at doing some running/walking intervals. That way, you have a definite time limit for the torture. It may be a little bit easier to keep the voice at bay when you know that in just 5 more minutes, say, you get a break.

SteveTries

I do three different things.

-Firstly, I focus on how good it will feel when I hit a new milestone or achievement and how my wife will be impressed when I tell her.
-Secondly I listen to podcasts rather than music now as it does help to escape into something else, particularly on a long run. Comedy typically, though I'm sure I look like a loon when I'm running down the street laughing to Hollywood Babble-On.
-Thirdly, I break down my planned distance into shorter milestones and just focus on that. So for a 10km run I think of it as 4 x 2.5kms runs and similarly 4 x 5km if it's 20km's etc. I might set myself "rewards" such as a drink from the water bottle at set milestones, or on long runs I'll pop a Jelly Baby every km or two.

Related to item 3 I use mapmyrun on my iphone and set it up to feedback audibly every half a km on my time and my pace. I can then use that to employ the sub-goals I mentioned above. I find this so much better than being at 2kms and focussing on the 10, 15 or 19 left to go!!!

freezerburn2012

Artist: Young The Giant lyrics
Title: My Body


Stop! the train is riding
Down to the station
Where you lived
When we were school kids

Hey! the rails are gone now
And I am falling down
Fools in a spiral
Round this town of steel

My body tells me no
But I won't quit
Cause I want more
Cause I want more
My body tells me no
But I won't quit
Cause I want more
Cause I want more

Stop! the train is riding
Down to the station
Where I lived
When I was a cool kid

Hey! is it my fault that
The fallen embers burn
Down in a spiral
Round your crown of thieves

My body tells me no
But I won't quit
Cause I want more
Cause I want more
My body tells me no
But I wont quit
Cause I want more
Cause I want more

It rides out of town

Oh, it's my road
It's my road
It's my road
It's my road
It's my road
It's my road

And it's my war
It's my war
It's my war
It's my war

His eyes are open
His eyes are open

Oh, cause I want more
I want more
I want more

His eyes are open
His eyes are open

Hey, hey, hey-

My body tells me no
But I won't quit
Cause I want more
Cause I want more
My body tells me no
But I wont quit
Cause I want more
Cause I want more

It rides out of town

mecaseyrn

Thank you all so very much for your wonderful words of encouragement and many different techniques. I use to run with music but the ipod on my arm would ruin my posture and cause really bad pain in my shoulder. I plan to get the shuffle so I can just clip it on. I do have a running buddy but we run on treadmill because of how hot it has been. He runs a 5k every time, I run about 1.25-1.50 miles now. at about 5.0mph...I had planned to reach 2 miles at the end of this week but the voice is powerful. I am going to try some ideas tonight though and I greatly appreciate all the advice!!! Thank you everyone!