Getting out of your head while running?

Congrats for finishing 5K and for setting your new goal! I am still working my way through C25K, but can relate to the "head giving up" feeling. It may sound corny, but I visualize myself achieving my goal (in my case related to horseback riding rather than running!) and how great it will feel. I also have some great music that inspires me, and it almost seems like a conditioned response now--when I hear songs from my "workout soundtrack", I want to sweat and push myself!

If you are getting the heavy legs/tired feeling between minutes 22-26 that is your body switching from glycogen in the muscles to fat burning, it takes my body 3 minutes to transition over but once it does I can run forever, those three minutes though feel like torture. Push through, slow way down, and just wait, you should feel your energy kick back up within 5 minutes max.

There are a lot of great books out there on the mechanics of running and what happens in the body, I have read I think most of the of the running books by Runner's World, I have read very old books on running from the 60's, etc.

You can do it, just tell yourself 5 more minutes, slow down, breathe evenly.

If you are getting the heavy legs/tired feeling between minutes 22-26 that is your body switching from glycogen in the muscles to fat burning, it takes my body 3 minutes to transition over but once it does I can run forever, those three minutes though feel like torture. Push through, slow way down, and just wait, you should feel your energy kick back up within 5 minutes max.

This is unlikely Glycogen levels would not on a normal person be depleted untill around 90 minutes of running.

I can self motivate for lifting weights, School work and most other things in life BUT running is difficult. I have a freakin COMMITTEE in my head telling me to stop or just use the eliptical. The only way I have overcome this is to get with a running group. Even if it's 1 day a week, they motivate me to keep going the rest of the time. I found mine through my local Point2Point running store, they have runners of all levels that meet every saturday morning and the split into groups according to your level and/or what you're training to do

Maybe some meditation before your run, I can do this I will do this. To get out of your head you must figure why your in it in the first place. Not trying to sound all Gandhi or anything. Good luck

I find what works best for me, is to think about something (anything) else besides running. I look at the scenery, enjoy the cold breeze, debate over how long it will take my legs to freeze if I don't hurry up, etc. It's amazing how many little details and really cool things you will see outside that you would never notice if you weren't paying attention.

I find it's also helpful if I have a deadline. I usually go for runs over lunch time, so I kind of have to make it back at a certain time (which means I can't just give up - I do out and back routes).

I can self motivate for lifting weights, School work and most other things in life BUT running is difficult. I have a freakin COMMITTEE in my head telling me to stop or just use the eliptical. The only way I have overcome this is to get with a running group. Even if it's 1 day a week, they motivate me to keep going the rest of the time. I found mine through my local Point2Point running store, they have runners of all levels that meet every saturday morning and the split into groups according to your level and/or what you're training to do

^^This! A running group is a great option and motivator. I find myself running farther (and sometimes faster) when I do run with a group. I had always shied away from it in the past because I'm not a fast/strong runner but once I tried it, I realized how motivating it can be in a group setting!

Another thing that helps me push past those thoughts in my head or the screaming legs on fire is to tell myself okay just one more block or to the next stop sign/light, whatever. Usually by the time I get there, I'm ready to continue and those thoughts/burning legs are gone!

Good luck!

I'd have to agree with one of the posters above, the aim of the game is to run without thinking about it too much. Your form and pace should become automatic to a greater extent, and you can concentrate on other things, be it music, or listening to your own heartbeat and breathing and footfall (which is pretty hypnotic when you get into it).

If you're running into mental blocks try splitting the remainder of the run into smaller chunks: "I'll keep going to the next corner", "I'll push on to that big tree", etc. When you hit that small target, try to push on to the next one. That way instead of having one aim & one failure, you have a string of successes to push you on.

Finally, persistence will bring you familiarity, familiarity breeds confidence, and confidence will overcome almost any mental block. Everyone has good and bad days, the important thing is just to keep at it & you'll do fine!