Mentality

[campoxc]

so as all distance runners know, running can be very hard on the mind. (some more than others) so im wondering what YOU do to get through the hard workouts, races, or times when you simply have no faith left.

[the stogs]

well in between runs i'll watch old races that inspire me or read some stories that get me going. during a workout or race, just try to take it one rep or lap at a time. dont think about the previous lap, dont think about the next lap

[schwartz]

usually what i try and tell myself is that if i push that much harder in a workout and get through it, I'll be that much better than the competition. That or the fact that you dont think about the next repeat and just go into it and run.

[Matt Sutcliffe]

I read Once a Runner over, and over, and over, and over, again.

[Cocakula]

During repetitions I'll just keep grinding it out. It helps to not think about how many I have left (except when I'm almost done) and just think about the one I'm running.

I've found it helps me to have a word I can repeat in my head like "strength" or "hold it" or 'Kick". I know it sounds kinda corny but it works for me :P

[Cocakula]

Originally Posted by Live2Run

I read Once a Runner over, and over, and over, and over, again.

Also this

My measly 12x400 seems like peanuts next to Quenton's 3x5x4x400

[fasterrunner12]

Whenever I'm doing hard training, I just think about racing. Visualize past ones, visualize upcoming ones, never fails to get me pumped up a little bit.

[ColinSCF]

I think about how much I want to run a 2 minute 800. If I can't get through something as simple as a workout I'll never be able to meet my goal.

[lasseviren]

during training i think about the upcoming race, those who i run with, the support offered to me by others who literally have little to nothing to gain by helping me. it motivates me to push because if they have faith that i can succeed, then i should believe in myself as well.

during racing i think about the support network and the training.

running is very difficult when you undertake it alone.

[wokthatway]

i actually enjoy training alone much of the time. that said, when it gets tough i visualize. whether it be a past race, or what i want a future one to look like, it usually keeps my cadence going. Also, just thinking about how badly i want to not be "just another 4:30 miler" (i think thinking about any goal can do this) gets me at least a little pumped every time.