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48 Replies Last post: May 2, 2008 12:48 PM by Eco13   1 2 3 4 Previous Next
Click to view Tamalina's profile Legend 1,594 posts since
Aug 14, 2007
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Apr 5, 2007 12:27 PM

your running mantra

When you are on long runs (or races for that matter) and it's getting tough - either you are physically getting tired or mentally exhausted - what do you say to yourself to keep yourself in the game, keep pushing yourself and finish strong? Do you have a phrase you repeat in your head for motivation; do you have some kind of an uplifting conversation with yourself?

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Tamalina[/URL" target="_blank">
Click to view pmcneb's profile Community Moderator 582 posts since
Jan 10, 2006
1. Apr 5, 2007 12:38 PM in response to: Tamalina
Re: your running mantra
I try to bore myself to death by counting to 16 over and over. On the treadmill I discovered in a moment of boredom that it takes me 16 steps to go .01 mile.

so in the big outdorrs, I count to 16 ten times, then repeat ten times. By then I am so confused I figure it has to have been a mile and start all over again.

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Patty
Click to view WillRunForBeer004's profile Legend 493 posts since
Jan 8, 2006
2. Apr 5, 2007 1:47 PM in response to: Tamalina
Re: your running mantra
I find myself saying periodically to myself, "it's just miles"

However, if I'm running at a particular pace and starting to get cocky, I try to tell myself, "don't count the miles before they're run" (to turn a phrase)

Lou
Click to view Pie Jones's profile Legend 229 posts since
Aug 14, 2007
3. Apr 5, 2007 2:05 PM in response to: Tamalina
Re: your running mantra
If I could only run fast enough to stay up with Aamos, we'd have plenty to talk about on those long runs It's all about the food.
Click to view LittleA's profile Pro 82 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
4. Apr 5, 2007 2:23 PM in response to: Tamalina
Re: your running mantra
Patty,

That is the funniest answer I've ever heard. I got confused just reading it alison
Click to view evanflein's profile Legend 1,279 posts since
Aug 14, 2007
5. Apr 5, 2007 2:42 PM in response to: Tamalina
Re: your running mantra
on long runs I always say I'll just go one more mile, then give myself permission to stop. Or get to a certain landmark, then I'll call for a ride. Whatever. Usually by the time I get to that mile or landmark, I say it again ("you made it this far, what's one more mile..."). Seems to work. Haven't actually called for a ride since early last summer!

In races, I tell myself it's almost over, you can rest when you're done. Also, like Aamos, I think about food and what I'll eat later on...

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My Profile[/URL" target="_blank">
Click to view Tim Carmichael's profile Pro 148 posts since
Oct 5, 2007
6. Apr 5, 2007 2:57 PM in response to: Tamalina
Re: your running mantra
"Another 100 yards". It's just another football field. If that doesn't work, I verbally abuse myself by questioning my sexual orientation...

(Sound of Dana Carvey doing "Hans and Franz") "Don't be a gurly man!". TC
Click to view dtoce's profile Legend 383 posts since
Nov 10, 2003
7. Apr 5, 2007 3:03 PM in response to: Tamalina
Re: your running mantra
quote:<HR>Originally posted by TammyM:
When you are on long runs (or races for that matter) and it's getting tough - either you are physically getting tired or mentally exhausted - what do you say to yourself to keep yourself in the game, keep pushing yourself and finish strong? Do you have a phrase you repeat in your head for motivation; do you have some kind of an uplifting conversation with yourself?

<HR>


a very interesting question, Tamster...

It certainly depends on the type of run. I like LR's where the pace is easy and I solve many problems that are ongoing within myself...I like tempo runs when I'm just pushing along the pace on autopilot.

But I really like when I hit a difficult part of a run or race and realize that I'm dogging it, 'cuz I know it's just mental and all I need to do is focus, dig down and push myself. I find myself remembering the hard training times if it occurs during a race and tell myself 'you can do it, you've been here before...pick it up...'. During training, I find it's a bit harder to do it but I do my best.

The conversations that go on in my head (with myself) are endless. I suppose that could be considered trouble...

During the latter parts of several of my marathons, I've used a mantra like 'push the pace' or 'keep the cadence' and counting to maintain 180 steps/minute. But it's all about disassociation at that point.

Nice question.
Click to view SLOjim's profile Legend 369 posts since
Nov 17, 2007
8. Apr 5, 2007 3:06 PM in response to: Tamalina
Re: your running mantra
For the past year and a half I've used Munchkn as an inspiration to push myself beyond what I thought were my limits in races. Just thinking about her struggles with her fight with cancer helps me run through the pain in the final stretches of my races. Thank you Donna
Click to view bigapplepie's profile We're Not Worthy 2,636 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
10. Dec 22, 2007 9:17 PM in response to: Tamalina
Re: your running mantra
The only mantra that works for me is "hills are my friend they make me stronger'

I even used it to get me through a few miles in Chicago, where its dead flat!

It has the added advantage that I can recite the ten syllables exactly 18 times per minute which helps keep my strike rate at 180.

Then there are the positive thoughts:
"You paid for this pain"
"Running has changed your life"
"How great does this feel?"
"Think how great you're going to feel when you look back on this"

and visualizations like:
"I'm a gazelle"
"I'm floating on air"


http://This message has been edited by bigapplepie (edited Apr-05-2007).
Click to view Twocat's profile Legend 404 posts since
Oct 12, 2006
11. Apr 5, 2007 3:24 PM in response to: Tamalina
Re: your running mantra
Boy am I dull. During a race, assuming my mind is still capable of forming words, I just repeat, "go, go, go."
Click to view Holly S.'s profile Legend 1,828 posts since
Nov 26, 2007
12. Apr 5, 2007 3:27 PM in response to: Tamalina
Re: your running mantra
Tammy,

Is it a big race? Maybe you'll get lucky and have a nice-looking fella in front of you to focus on when the race gets tough.

Love that "pace booty"

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Holly[/URL" target="_blank">
Click to view mcsolar99's profile Legend 1,018 posts since
Aug 14, 2007
13. Apr 5, 2007 3:31 PM in response to: Tamalina
Re: your running mantra
i usually focus on solving second order non-homogenous differential equations in my head. if i can stumble onto a confluent hypergeometric function for a solution it means i'm having a good workout. keeps me from thinking of running.

or when that doesn't help: in a workout when it gets hard i say to myself "i woke up at 4am just so that i could get to this tough point and find a way to run well."

in a race: "calm and relaxed"
Click to view bihvhar's profile Rookie 1 posts since
Apr 5, 2007
14. Apr 5, 2007 3:32 PM in response to: Tamalina
Re: your running mantra