Stare Down the Demons: Get psyched up for your next run!
Posted June 5th, 2007 at 2:37 PM by Alexandra Haller
Section: Running & Training, Motivation, Training Tips
We all have moments when we simply don’t feel like working out. It’s not always easy to lace up the shoes, walk out to the car in the cold, or wake up for a 5 a.m. run.
There are a number of demons staring us down: a sour attitude; the comfortable couch we dared to sit on after an exhausting work day; the cozy bed with a warm, enveloping partner; or just plain laziness. We can all agree that while we may not always feel up for a workout, we are thrilled with how we feel at the finish. The natural high kicks in. This is why it’s vital to have strategies for dealing with the fight.
I want to highlight three ideas I find useful. You can think of them as ways to trick your mind into doing what your body knows it needs. Perhaps all of the strategies don’t appeal to you. That’s okay. Pick one and experiment.
1) Revitalize with new running gear. I am more excited to get to the gym when I’m wearing new shorts. If you’ve been wearing the same, stretched-out, baggy sweatpants for years, you’ve trained your mind to equate the gym with the routine and the mundane. Where’s the passion? Just like how you make changes in your training plans to avoid plateaus, you need to have items that bolster your mindset as well.
If not new clothes, then try new gadgets. Last night I circled through my predictable 3-mile neighborhood route in the stinging cold and I felt energized. I was wearing my Get-A-Grip cleats and the novelty had not worn off. When I strap those around my tennis shoes, I feel tough. I feel like I’m a kid with a new toy. My run then takes on a refreshing level of enthusiasm.
2) Shake up that stale workout playlist. Title your playlist something fun and creative and select songs that match the intensity you’re aiming for. Be adventurous and break out of your usual music ruts. I have yet to meet a girl who can’t help but pick up the pace when she hears the Pussycat Doll’s “Don’t Cha.”
If you can find a random list of top workout songs, examine it and try a few. “Eye of the Tiger” is too played out for me, but David Bowie’s “Under Pressure” is my go-to power song. Ask your friends what songs energize them. My sister suggested Billy Idol’s “Dancin’ with Myself” and it works for me. I love how at the end of the six minute song, he repeats, “sweat…sweat…sweat.” It’s the exact mantra I need to hear to keep myself going.
3) Seek out motivation. With positive thinking, you can stare down your bad attitude. If you feel your energy draining toward the end of a work day, log onto TheFinalSprint.com, Runner’s World, etc and immerse yourself in success stories, the latest news, and all things running related. Listen to one of our podcasts and allow yourself to become drawn into the excitement. It becomes harder to cop out of a run when you hear Ryan Hall, coming off his record-setting marathon, talking about still being hungry to train and wanting to do better next time.
Also, it helps to search out inspirational quotes from people who know how to persevere. A personal favorite of mine was spoken by Thomas Edison:
“If we did everything we were capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.”
When you find these quotes, place them wisely. Tape them to your mirror so you see them first thing in the morning.
You are exercising for the health of your body—the only one you will ever have. Do whatever it takes to keep your one, unique, amazing body functioning at its peak. Today, I’ll be listening to a revamped playlist that includes Michael Franti and Spearhead’s “Everybody On a Move.” I’ll picture myself on the move, and that’s what will keep my feet in motion and the smile on my face. Good luck with your run!
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Tags: apparel, famous quotes, fun, gear, inspiration, inspirational quotes, motivation, music, playlist, pump up, pumped up, quotes, running gear, tips, visualize, workout playlist
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