The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Running is a lot like writers block, you get to a certain point where you can't go anymore but one day, something clicks and you push through new boundaries. The mind has an important role in breaking said boundaries. As a runner, your goal is to get faster, but sometimes it feels as though your body just can't do that. You either feel like you are going to hurl, break something, or just outright die right there on the track. But the thing is, you can go faster. You just have to tell yourself that you can and actually believe it.

You see, you can tell your body that it won't die if you push a little harder or go a bit longer. But it's the act of your mind actually believing you that is the hard part. When it comes to running, the actual performance of it (i.e. the body) is the easy part, it’s convincing your mind that you can do these difficult feats that can drive you off the wall (or off the track).

So how do you break said blockade? Here is a list of 5 ways to trick your mind into going the extra distance or gaining the extra speed that you need during a race.

1. Create a running mantra. This may sound a little out there, but creating slogans to tell yourself as you are running can give you the boost that you desire. My personal favorite is “Eat the hill” for difficult terrain because I link food (something that I love) to running. The phrase that you create should relate to the part of the run you are doing and should also be short and sweet. Click the hyperlink to be taken to an article written by Christie Aschwanden on Runner’s World for more info.
2. Calm your thoughts. In a study done by The Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, they found that taking a moment to breathe and clear your thoughts helps to bring your self-control back to life again while doing an energy sapping activity. So while you are out on a long run just trying to make it to the end, remember to breathe and clear your mind so you can go the extra mile (at least in less pain). 
3. Smile! Everyone learns this in a general psychology class, but it has been found to also improve performance. The mere act of putting a smile on your face boosts positivity and translates to getting you out of a rut mentally and physically.
4. Pretend to be the Wild West cowboy you always wanted to be. The brain is a wonderful thing because it can also allow you to visualize scenarios. In a race, if you pretend to lasso the person in front of you as though they are pulling you, you can trick your mind into believing that they are actually doing all the work in the race. This can allow you to launch yourself steadily past them as the race goes on and then take your next victim.
5. Lose yourself. Don’t actually get lost, just get lost in your head. Sometimes, you can try anything and it seems as though nothing is pushing you. You are drowning in fatigue and just want to stop. This is when you need to forget. Forget everything. Don’t think about the run, how tired you are, or your mental fatigue. Just run. That can be the most you can do sometimes, and that it okay. Everyone has off days but you still have to get through the run (just don’t injure yourself).

The evolution of running has come a long way. Once used for a life or death situation, running is now part of multiple Olympic sports that many people set as their goal to obtain someday. Although a good portion of people won’t make it that far, they sure can dream of it. Running is not only a sport, it can also be a hobby. A hobby that some people drown themselves in. And as with anything the human race does, we strive for perfection. Many of us run into mental blocks that prevent further development and I hope that these techniques aid in your future running endeavors.

So the next time you are out on a run, don't forget to relax, breathe, and clear your thoughts. Allow your body to go past that point of exhaustion and focus on distance and time. Say your running mantras repeatedly to yourself so you can do that. And don’t forget the most important part, to have fun!!