login
Good running mantras - focus tools
-
No new posts
 2014-06-24 11:46 AM |
 553   St Catharines, Ontario |  Subject: Good running mantras - focus toolsOff to as local 10k tonight and want to get into the gold medal group (first 100 finishers). What I relay need is a good focus phrase I can repeat to keep my pace and form constant. I training I can notice my mind wandering and when I come back to what I am doing my speed has dropped off and my form can get very scrappy. Anyone got any mental tools, focus points etc that help them stay in the zone? |
| 2014-06-24 12:01 PM in reply to: badmo77a |
Regular 272 Apple Valley, Minnesota | Subject: RE: Good running mantras - focus tools Find a rabbit, and pace with them. I tell myself to slow my breathing, or I count my steps to see how many I can make in a mile, I do this in the pool to counting strokes. I am a weak cyclist, so I dare not detract from the task at hand as there will be painful consequences. |
| 2014-06-24 12:45 PM in reply to: GotBackup |
| Regular 152 | Subject: RE: Good running mantras - focus tools This going to sound ridiculous but smile! I find I run much better when I am smiling and "enjoying the moment" rather than focusing on a watch, counting steps, etc. I also pretty much continually find things well in the distance (1/4 mile or so) to focus on and all of a sudden you are on top of them and it's like "well that was easy". I constantly add the next thing so that I am never at a spot and "finished" but I've cleared the next hurdle. |
| 2014-06-24 12:48 PM in reply to: badmo77a |
Pro 6520  Bellingham, WA | Subject: RE: Good running mantras - focus tools My primary focus tool is to break the race into thirds. The first third I run with my head. Focus on proper pacing and not getting too excited in the first mile. Second third I focus on my training and strength carrying me through. So second third I run with my legs and arms. Last third I focus on running with my heart. This is the mental drive to push hard and gut it out. Good luck with your race and hope you bring home the gold. |
| 2014-06-24 2:58 PM in reply to: badmo77a |
| Member 1487 Scottsdale, AZ | Subject: RE: Good running mantras - focus tools Be in the moment, no matter how you feel...enjoy what you are doing and where you are. When all else fails, I count...steps, breaths, other runners, street lights, just to keep my mind off the pain :-)! |
| 2014-06-24 2:59 PM in reply to: popsracer |
| 553 St Catharines, Ontario | Subject: RE: Good running mantras - focus tools Thanks for these ideas. I like the idea of segmenting the run as well as the concept of identifying a distant target. 94% humidity predicted. So keeping a smile on my face might be a stretch. |
| 2014-06-24 7:44 PM in reply to: badmo77a |
Member 1004 | Subject: RE: Good running mantras - focus tools I do military mind tricks. I imagine my rational brain as the general. When the legs start shouting, "We're taking a beating down here. You've got to pull back." My minds replies, "Stay in formation. Keep pushing on." When my lungs start screaming, "We're in desperate shape. Stop!!" My mind replies, "You don't question my orders. You status is noted. Keep pushing on." It sounds kind of weird but it works for me. |
| 2014-06-26 12:51 AM in reply to: #5016831 |
| 19 | Subject: RE: Good running mantras - focus tools For myself, and I'm a novice, I focus on a distant object, and run towards it. I also repeat to myself no matter how bad the pain is or how much I wanna stop, "I can do anything for one minute". After one minute I repeat! Before I know it I'm done! |
| 2014-06-26 7:32 AM in reply to: Solark |
| Master 1946 Memphis, TN | Subject: RE: Good running mantras - focus tools On my training runs I have all my training distances planned out. I think of how much it would suck to come back and put in my spreadsheet I only did 4.3 miles when I was supposed to do 6 that day. Regret lasts longer than the pain you are inflicting on yourself at the time. |
| 2014-06-26 9:04 AM in reply to: Jtiger |
| 553 St Catharines, Ontario | Subject: RE: Good running mantras - focus tools Thanks for all the suggestions. Had a tough run on Tuesday in 94% humidity and was way off my targets. However deep in the hole of overheating and suffering up hills I did use a three or four beat repeat phrase to help get through it. I knew my boys were waiting on the finish line and so I just ticked over a simple: My boys will see me finish In time with my breathing. Worked well to help me over the hump. |
| 2014-06-26 10:26 AM in reply to: badmo77a |
Expert 972 Falls Church | Subject: RE: Good running mantras - focus tools This is corny...but when I feel myself starting to fade...I repeat to myself in the same cadence as I am running ---- I AM A WARRIOR! I AM A WARRIOR! |
| 2014-06-26 11:38 AM in reply to: hoffsquared |
Member 2689 Denver, CO | Subject: RE: Good running mantras - focus tools Good for you for getting through your race. 94% humidity sounds absolutely miserable!! Sometimes I'll focus on my breathing, 3 steps in/3 steps out, 2 in/2 out, or 2 in/3 out, along with belly breathing when I'm really struggling. When my mind starts to really wander, I come back and focus on the surroundings, listening to the birds and other sounds, observing the surroundings, feeling the pounding of my feet on the path, and really trying to be in the moment. Granted, I'm not doing really long runs at this point (not yet up to 4 miles or an hour), but these things really help me stay focused on the task at hand.
|
| 2014-06-26 11:53 AM in reply to: laffinrock |
Extreme Veteran 660 | Subject: RE: Good running mantras - focus tools |
| 2014-06-26 1:26 PM in reply to: BuckHamilton |
| 265 Denver, Colorado | Subject: RE: Good running mantras - focus tools Originally posted by BuckHamilton No Kids No Wife This is is easy Haha the best one yet! |
| 2014-06-26 2:17 PM in reply to: b2run |
| 754 | Subject: RE: Good running mantras - focus tools Originally posted by b2run I do military mind tricks. I imagine my rational brain as the general. When the legs start shouting, "We're taking a beating down here. You've got to pull back." My minds replies, "Stay in formation. Keep pushing on." When my lungs start screaming, "We're in desperate shape. Stop!!" My mind replies, "You don't question my orders. You status is noted. Keep pushing on." It sounds kind of weird but it works for me. I have never been in the military, but my inner coach during is a bit of a drill sergeant. She yells at me to stop complaining and "just run, damnit!" I swear she has told me "to suck it up, buttercup." Going up hills, I mentally sing the counting by 5s song from "School House Rock". You know, 5, 10, 15, 20....100. Do it again! It has a good cadence and helps keep my pace up. Good job on getting out there and racing in the humidity. Those are some rough conditions. |
| 2014-06-26 3:17 PM in reply to: happyscientist |
Expert 1224 Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa. | Subject: RE: Good running mantras - focus tools When I was a kid riding in the back seat of my dad's car on long trips he would always find the local 50s station and once in a while the song "Duke of Earl" would come on the radio. Duke, Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl, Duke Duke Duke of Earl..... Seems to keep me on a good running cadence and I tend to focus better too.
WARNING!!!! This song will be stuck in your head for weeks if you start using it. In my case, stuck in my head for years. |
|
|
|
| Need some good mantras Pages: 1 2 3 | ||
| Mantra while running Pages: 1 2 | ||
| |||
| |||
| Running Mantras Pages: 1 2 3 |
View profile
Add to friends
Go to training log
Go to race log
Send a message
View album
CONNECT WITH FACEBOOK