When it comes to running, mental toughness is often the ingredient that’s overlooked in most training plans.
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Ride the emotional waves
The phrase mental toughness gets bandied about in running, particularly in longer distance training.
Adapting to difficult experiences is more effective than catastrophizing.
It takes the pressure off, and makes it less likely to be a self-fulfilling prophecy, says Holliday.
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And we know that runners at all levels go through waves of difficulty in their events.
So try and ride the waves rather than bulldoze through the wall.
And when were pushing ourselves, its constantly telling us to stop.
This voice is completely normal for athletes of all levels.
But know that its overly-protectiveyour body can actually push considerably beyond this instinct without causing any damage.
See what its like if you get through it, and whether the desire slows down.
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Or just focus on getting to the end of the next minute, or next mile.
Synchronize the counts with your footsteps or arm swings to find a propulsive rhythm.
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This helps to prime the mind so the real experience feels less difficult.
Youll get the greatest effect by engaging as many sense as possible.
Holliday explains: Close your eyes and use all of your senses.
Whats that start line like?
Can you feel a bit of cold or rain?
Can you hear your heart beat?
Can you smell runners packed next to you?
Replay the sections you think will be mentally tough and how you will get through it.
Think about the conversations your are having with yourself.
What is the tone like?
Make them have as positive an angle as possible, says Holliday.
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