Runners - how do you get past the "Mental" challenge?

DH is a runner, so he agreed that running is way more mental than anything else.

I feel I hit this wall, since its so new to me, and then I get so mentally clogged up with the "I can't do it... I'm dying!!!" thoughts... Music helps, but even then, I can't get my eyes off the numbers on the treadmill. I cover them up with my towel but I still need to peek....

I know I should do more outside but usually its so late and dark I don't want to do it in my neighborhood....

Re: Runners - how do you get past the "Mental" challenge?

Your post really made me think, and I believe I really just have a "you don't have a choice, just do it" attitude...but that won't help you.

Setting small goals usually helps. Look at the run in 1/4 miles and go from there. Bribe yourself, if you finish the entire 2, 3, 4 whatever miles you can have the next day off, if not you have to finish the rest in the morning or the next day.

I look at every run as a challenge. I think to myself there is no reason why I can't do it, so I will do it. Also, don't run too fast, find a pace that is really comfortable and that you can hold a conversation at. Once you find a comfortable pace, you may not find running so painful and dreadful.

I'll keep thinking of tricks, but I know you can do it. There is no reason you can't. Running is for you...only you...this is what you are doing for yourself to be good to your body -mental and physical health!!
Good Luck!

Re: Runners - how do you get past the "Mental" challenge?

I think that if you are "dying" than you are going too fast to sustain...slow down!


as for myself, I'm pretty confident as myself as a runner and I know what I can do, but sometimes in the middle of a run I will start getting lazy and think I'll cut 1-2 miles off. But then I tell myself that that's 120-250 calories I could be burning. If that doesn't work, I literally yell at myself in my head. Like "suck it up and just do it" "you know you can run that last mile, jsut do it and get it over...you'll be happy when it's over."

Re: Runners - how do you get past the "Mental" challenge?

I'll let you know when I get there!

Re: Runners - how do you get past the "Mental" challenge?

I don't know if I would call myself a "runner" more like a sloppy jogger.

On the treadmill, its all a speed game for me. How can I run 2 miles in the quickest time possible to start my day...knowing I can hop off at any time and walk back to my apt in 30 seconds is tempting...so I make it about the mileage.

Outside is a different ballgame.

When I run with Leo, for some reason I have the ability to go a slow 3.5-4 miles non stop...its the competition.

Solo, is when I get crazy with the games. Don't step on a crack or you will break your mother's back mode...you will find yourself flying and leaping over cracks

when that gets old, this is corny, I dribble a fake ball with my right hand, reminding me that I use to play a full running game of b-ball 3 times a week for years and never got tired.

Re: Runners - how do you get past the "Mental" challenge?

My problem is I am NOT over exerting myself at all!!! Hence the mental challenge.... I have great endurance and am not pushing myself harder than I would in other workouts. But because running is continuous, while you vary things in other workouts, in a way I am dying over the fact I am there for this many more minutes... does that make sense?

In fact, what helps me is upping the ante, making the speed faster, or changing the incline, something else. Its more of the fact that running is the most "in the present moment" type of activity I have ever done (except for hiking, but I am still distracted by being outdoors...)

I do the "There is no reason why I can't do this" pep talk, and that helps. The fact is, I need a race to focus on to motivate me, or this would definitely be something I "quit."

at the same time, I am becoming addicted and obsessed - I can't wait until my next run....

Am I making any sense at all????

Re: Runners - how do you get past the "Mental" challenge?

like you said, being outside is distracting...maybe that's why I prefer running outside...so many things to look at and take away from the monotony.

what about books on tape? I have been loving this!

Re: Runners - how do you get past the "Mental" challenge?

I get what you are saying. I went on the mill today cause I was too lazy to hit the road and what I realize I do to help the boredom or the feeling of wanting to die on there is I play with the speed and incline. I change it every minute. So I start at 6.5 speed and change every minute until I get to 7.5. Then I'll bring down to 7.0 and raise the incline to 1.0% and then raise the speed 1 degree while at the incline until I get to 7.5 and so on. Every workout on the mill I make different and it makes the time go by really fast.

Re: Runners - how do you get past the "Mental" challenge?

This is the reason why I hated the treadmill for so long. I had no problem with time and/or distance outdoors but the mill would kill me (mentally).

I find that I didn't get over that mental hurdle until I became more proficient at running outdoors. It is MUCH easier for me to run on the mill now because I have developed my running skills to the point that the number on the machine doesn't bother me anymore.

Having said that I agree with Robyn. I still have days where I just don't want to be inside running and I find that I have to run intervals to make things interesting.

Re: Runners - how do you get past the "Mental" challenge?

This is how I got through. See how far you can go until you get that 'i'm dying' feeling. Then stop. Let's say it's 2 miles. Then do the 2 miles every time you rund for a couple of weeks. Then, do no less than 2.25 miles for a few weeks, then 2.5, etc. That's how I got through. I'm up to 6.5 miles

Definately outside running helps too - it makes tread running so much easier. And, not knowing how far you've gone is HUGE!

Re: Runners - how do you get past the "Mental" challenge?

Maybe you should do a few HIIT runs.

Jog at your normal speed for 2 minutes. Bump it up 30% for a minute, back down to jog for 2 minutes, etc.

So, my normal comfortable speed is 6 mph. Then my higher speed is 7.8. so I mess around with that for a bit. then I'll run a 6 for a mile or so.

Re: Runners - how do you get past the "Mental" challenge?

get nekkid, stand in front of a mirror, turn around, now look at the mirror....there's the motivation

that was what my dh told me.

Re: Runners - how do you get past the "Mental" challenge?

I only run outside

so I can't stop- it would take me forever to walk home

the challenge for me is getting me out the door- once I start - I am fine

Re: Runners - how do you get past the "Mental" challenge?

Posted by Ophelia

get nekkid, stand in front of a mirror, turn around, now look at the mirror....there's the motivation

that was what my dh told me.

Re: Runners - how do you get past the "Mental" challenge?

I absolutely hate the treadmill and also a track
I can only run outside on the street

the treadmill is so boring and I just hate it so I have no advice but just some and to say more power to ya

Re: Runners - how do you get past the "Mental" challenge?

I upped the ante this morning and t helped - I bumped the time up to 35 minutes - I can't start dying at 20 mins when there is still 15 mins left... if that makes any sense!!!