Mantras for running / walking

nalfavi

I found this website and thought it was pretty interesting, I'll be using these for walking at the moment, but thought someone else out there might find some motivation from it as well

http://runningzen.com/running-mantras/

What is a Running Mantra?

A running mantra is simply a phrase or word that you repeat mentally while you are running in order to achieve a certain goal. My first running mantra back in high school was a little pathetic, but it kept my mind off the difficulty and helped me to keep going. It was simply counting to 8 over and over again. It was rhythmic and hypnotic and even thought it sometimes was annoying to myself, it had a certain power. The mantra was a vehicle that carried me on when I would have otherwise wanted to stop.

When I got back into running for the second time in my life, about 5 years ago, my new mantra was “Lifelong Runner.” What this meant to me was: “It is OK to go slow if I need to. It is OK if I miss a day or even a week because I am sick. It’s all OK because I am a Lifelong Runner. As long as I have legs that can jog, nothing can stop that, especially my, at-times, doubting, anxious mind!”
Mantras for Runners

Try these mantras on for size. Modify them. Create your own. Let them carry you forward to whatever your goal may be. In fact, let your running or life goals be the place from which your mantra springs.
Beginning Runner Mantras

Counting to a certain number. Repeat. Repeat.
I am a Lifelong Runner.
I can do this.
I am a runner.
Born to Run.

Running Mantras for Tough Times

I have everything I need to complete this.
The energy is there. I release it to use it.
I am strong.
Strong. Energy. Relaxed. (repeat)
All I have to do is manage this moment. (Borrowed from”Slow Burn“-great book on running.)

Running Mantras for Racing

Race my pace.
Stay on pace.
Calm, focused, strong, steady paced.
I run my own race.
Counting works here too.

Running Mantras for Slow Days

Completing is Succeeding.
I only need to finish. No need for speed.
All miles are good miles.
What I can do is always good enough.
Its just one mile 3** times. (**insert your number) (Also from “Slow Burn” by Stu Mittleman)

maddymama

Mine is "I am the change I wish to be" -- Ghandi. It helps me focus on the reasons why I am out running rather than the discomfort I am feeling mid-run.

vger11

"This block is gravy, this block is gravy"

missypoo1974

When I'm doing the elliptical, I count my steps to 100, but it's only the steps of my right foot (so I guess I'm counting 200 steps). I'm not sure why, but it helps me keep going. I get to the end, and tell myself I can do another 100....I do that until I have worked out the time I decided on at the beginning.

nalfavi

Mine is "I am the change I wish to be" -- Ghandi. It helps me focus on the reasons why I am out running rather than the discomfort I am feeling mid-run.

I used this one when I went walking today, and ended up doing three times the distance I normally would do thanks for sharing it!

maddymama

Glad it helped you.

It really does help me focus on the "why" of working out.

heliumheels

Definitely trying this one on my afternoon run today.

Delley08

Love this!!!

I found this website and thought it was pretty interesting, I'll be using these for walking at the moment, but thought someone else out there might find some motivation from it as well

http://runningzen.com/running-mantras/

What is a Running Mantra?

A running mantra is simply a phrase or word that you repeat mentally while you are running in order to achieve a certain goal. My first running mantra back in high school was a little pathetic, but it kept my mind off the difficulty and helped me to keep going. It was simply counting to 8 over and over again. It was rhythmic and hypnotic and even thought it sometimes was annoying to myself, it had a certain power. The mantra was a vehicle that carried me on when I would have otherwise wanted to stop.

When I got back into running for the second time in my life, about 5 years ago, my new mantra was “Lifelong Runner.” What this meant to me was: “It is OK to go slow if I need to. It is OK if I miss a day or even a week because I am sick. It’s all OK because I am a Lifelong Runner. As long as I have legs that can jog, nothing can stop that, especially my, at-times, doubting, anxious mind!”
Mantras for Runners

Try these mantras on for size. Modify them. Create your own. Let them carry you forward to whatever your goal may be. In fact, let your running or life goals be the place from which your mantra springs.
Beginning Runner Mantras

Counting to a certain number. Repeat. Repeat.
I am a Lifelong Runner.
I can do this.
I am a runner.
Born to Run.

Running Mantras for Tough Times

I have everything I need to complete this.
The energy is there. I release it to use it.
I am strong.
Strong. Energy. Relaxed. (repeat)
All I have to do is manage this moment. (Borrowed from”Slow Burn“-great book on running.)

Running Mantras for Racing

Race my pace.
Stay on pace.
Calm, focused, strong, steady paced.
I run my own race.
Counting works here too.

Running Mantras for Slow Days

Completing is Succeeding.
I only need to finish. No need for speed.
All miles are good miles.
What I can do is always good enough.
Its just one mile 3** times. (**insert your number) (Also from “Slow Burn” by Stu Mittleman)

Eaglesfanintn

When I ran in my first marathon, a guy ran by me saying, "legs are strong, feet are light" over and over. I kind of liked it and started using it.

hypotrochoid

I'm newish to running, but on my last two 5K runs this has gotten me through:

I will not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.

skinnylove00

for me, its; YOURE BURNING A HELL LOT MORE CALORIES THAN THOSE BLOKES WATCHIN THE TV!

cdprouty

When I fartlek I say, out loud, "Rockets" every 4 steps.

*I just remembered on my last marathon (Miami) I said "Thar she blows" upon completing each mile. P90X fans will recall Tony Horton saying that in Yoga X.

jenbroussard71

Bump

wantstolooseweight

Being fat is hard, working out is hard, pick your hard!

DaBossLady24

I actually like all of these.

Bumping for my training soon AND my 5K events coming up. Thanks for sharing! :flowerforyou:

WarriorReady

The heart of a Warrior doesn't quit! Sounds kind of corny but it helped me get ready for my first Warrior Dash. And helping me to get ready for the next one! :bigsmile:

akdoxrud

My grandfather made me memorize the North Carolina State Toast and part of it is "Where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great." I keep telling myself, "the weak grow strong."

confettibetti

bump

love these!

I talk to myself constantly while running!

geordiegirl27

one I use is when I'm struggling I start to count to 100 then keep track of how many hundred steps I've done, amazing how it distracts from the pain!

L00py_T0ucan

I'm newish to running, but on my last two 5K runs this has gotten me through:

I will not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.

:laugh: wait a minute. dune, right?

mine's not very philosophical: KEEP.GOING.KEEP.GOING.

KyleB65

Interesting.

I have two things I focus on when I run.

If I am running alone - I focus on counting my breaths in relation to my stride. And, I also keep telling my self to look up - shoulders back - breath in through the nose and out through the mouth.

When I run in a group - I talk non-stop!! :-) I find that this is a way to breath naturally. So, much to the chagrin of my running buddies, I motor mouth for 10K!