What do YOU do to stay motivated when your head tries to get the better of you?
Some have a song they sing, others a mantra. I have nothing at this point, and would like to learn about options that I can use to get me through my run, or a tiresome bike leg. I usually get into my head, and that is the end of my consistent run.
Please help.
Thank you,
Karin
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Comments
The one thing concept is based on your reason you are there. What motivates you to go after you reach that really dark place. Maybe it is for a loved one, surviving some tragedy, for redemption, a time goal, being a role model, etc., etc.. That ^^ has to come from within. It's personal. It is 'why' you are there. Only you can find that.
Getting thu a rough patch is different, for me at least. It's where I go before I need that 'one thing' and for me it is counting. I count foot falls, peddle strokes, and exhales. Often breathing and cadence are synchronized so counting one is the same as the other.
When the struggling first starts I count longer sets of 16, 18 or 20. I rarely go over 20 but sometimes I might. As my discomfort increases the sets get shorter down to 12 or 10. Hard threshold efforts tend to be counts of 8 or 6. I've done that for most of several marathons. Total suffering like for Z5 intervals counting to 3 or 4 is all I can manage. At that point the only thing that matters is to hold on until the next set so I can start at '1' again - it is a very small window but it helps me to get thru the suffering.
Hope this helps.
Great question!
Steve's comment below is from a veteran who has walked the talk many times. Great thoughts!
First, this kind of thing takes lots of practice to master. Cut yourself some slack and give yourself some points just for putting it out there.
I first want to make sure I am staying on top of my nutrition. Very hard to work through those dark periods when nutrition is behind. Once I have that in check, I often think of what my friends and mentors would do is such a situation. Having a mentor and/or others that can relate to the situation, that have shown how to manage through it and led by example can provide strength during a dark period.
I also like to post my work on Strava and in the forums when applicable. Why? Well, when I know that my friends/mentors are going to see it, I push, focus, exert that much more effort when it gets dark. If I fail, I live to fight another day and get great feed back and support as well.
Breaking the task at hand down to manageable chunks of time, focusing on each interval with small breaks will get you there.
KMF!
I also used to do calculations in my head about distance and speed based on the actually pace/speed and that makes me realize that I can push even more.
For me when it comes to deciding to make the work out happen that takes grit. Genetically I come from a long line of procrastinators so the flicker of thought that says "postpone" or "skip it" usually is all it takes for me to do just that. The guilt, disappointment and shame I unload on myself following is unholy. So, I have learned to give myself grace and stop doing that. I try to focus on what is working and what success I have had.
There are so many things I love about this sport (the coaches and this team are at the top of the list) but simply put it provides a structured avenue for me to continually learn and grow. Every new day, every new workout, every new failure is an experience that adds up to knowledge. I have had Coach P. and Coach R. in my head many times talking me through some low point in my training. In turn, I have cursed them and fiercely complained about the (crazy WTF were they thinking when they created these) work outs?
Let me see if I can list what has worked for me in the past:
Fear (fear of failure, fear of not finishing, fear of letting the Coaches down, fear of wasting all that $)
Desire to improve. knowing what I have been capable of before and not accepting "good enough"
Anger. I know I am neither skilled or talented enough for many things but I can move, so I keep moving. I have many shortcomings and limitations but working hard is not one of them. I do not fear hard work and that is one thing I can do.
To be less intangible and more practical:
I ride my long rides on the trainer and watch Netflix
I use music when running and also have used books on tape. The game is to not allow yourself to watch or listen to the show/book unless training.
I swim with friends and masters. I mix it up and do outside rides with friends or riding groups.
My husband trains as well and we will ride together or swim together but often we are just in the same place at the same time and don't really interact. Still, it is nice to share that understanding of the sport.
Having new equipment is a motivator. New shoes, new kit, new nutrition.
Running from one crack in the sidewalk to the next or to the next tree, or the next light.
Sorry for the rambling. Hope it is useful. Good luck and carry on.
Thanks for the support, all. ??
@ Dana- Nice!
When the run starts to suck I repaint and redecorate my house. I have redesigned my kitchen I don't know how many times. I like Steve's counting idea. I will try that tomorrow when i'm running long in the rain. Oh ya! I LOVE the rain!
I had a friend dedicate each mile she ran during her marathon to a different person she loved. She wrote their names on her arms. During that mile she thought about them. Each of us then texted her during our "mile". She has a garmin 920 she she got our 2 word texts. It was a lot of fun.
I think about life. I work out a lot of "STUFF" out on the asphalt. It's my reward to me and i'm worth it!
When I'm having problems engaging in my macro training from week to week... I tend to drink said scotch.
Not a solution that works.... At all. But it happens from time to time!
The Anchorman approach