Long-distance running can be as much a mental challenge as it is a physical test of strength and fitness. Some runners find that their body is willing to run longer, but it's too hard to keep going mentally. Try following these long run tips to help with mental training .
As the cliché goes, running is a mental sport. It takes unbelievable discipline, self-motivation, and drive. You're accountable to no one, and it's less about the circumstances. The people with the signs and cowbells along the way help; hell, there are even Rock 'N Roll marathons with live music every few miles.
The mental aspect of running is important, we know that, but just what is a mental barrier and how can we break mental barriers to success to run our best. Running may be 90% mental, but once you have that mind block, it can be hard to overcome the emotional barriers associated with them.
“Indeed, many distance runners feel merely drained or even nauseated at the end of a long race, not blissful,” says Linden. And though endorphins help prevent muscles from feeling pain, it is unlikely that endorphins in the blood contribute to a euphoric feeling, or any mood change at all.
Running is 90 per cent mental and 10 per cent physical. But whatever you decide to do, the chances are you're going to have to start running again, train hard again and get ready for a race.
Swimming
It may be surprising to most people that swimming is number 1 in the list of the most mentally challenging sports in the world. Many professional swimmers fall into a 7-day self-sabotage cycle. This is a period where they may doubt themselves and grow continuous stress on themselves.
What is runner's face? If you haven't heard the term, you've likely seen it. It is the face of a lifelong runner with leathery, saggy skin and a gaunt appearance. It is the result of lots of sun exposure and little body fat.
Keep your eyes on an object in the distance and try to clear your mind. Focus on physical sensations, like your breath or your feet hitting the ground. Repeat your running mantra if you have one. When your mind returns to your boredom or discomfort (and it will), keep steering it back to your breath.
This pressure that athletes place on themselves can lead to extra stress that can result in depression. Furthermore, injuries and rehabilitation are a further stressor that can be attributed to higher rates of depression amongst athletes.
There is always a lot of strategy on starting, positioning and execution of a person's training during their race. Running requires a level of dedication and intelligence unlike any other sport.
Running can be particularly addictive because of what is known as “runner's high,” the elated feeling that results from hormones in the body getting released from physical activity and endorphins. A new study looked at the increase in physical injuries that can result from an addiction to running.
The majority (40 percent) of thoughts were concerned with matters of “Pace and Distance,” e.g. “7:30 [mins per mile] feel good but it's flat, just wait for that hill.” Finally, 28 percent of runners' thoughts were focused on the external “Environment,” “Is that a rabbit at the end road? Oh yeah how cute.”
“But brain fog can also indicate the onset of overtraining syndrome.” When this happens, your body can't keep up with the recovery it needs in response to the stress it's being put through by physical exercise.
Running is most certainly not a selfish act, and it, in fact, benefits nearly everyone and everything else in our lives.
Running regularly at a moderate or vigorous level can improve your mental health. Running also improves your memory and ability to learn. Running outside has other benefits, like lessening feelings of loneliness and isolation. Running can reduce stress, depression, and anxiety.
Conclusion. From the limited research available, the evidence indicates that short interruptions to your run, whether it's a stoplight, a bathroom break, or a planned walking break, do not have any major impact on the physiological benefits of training.
Regular exercise can boost your mood if you have depression, and it's especially useful for people with mild to moderate depression. Any type of exercise is useful, as long as it suits you and you do enough of it.
Regular exercise may help ease depression and anxiety by: Releasing feel-good endorphins, natural cannabis-like brain chemicals (endogenous cannabinoids) and other natural brain chemicals that can enhance your sense of well-being.
Running and exercise itself won't age your skin. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it can actually help to exercise most days of the week.
What is runner's stomach? Runner's stomach refers to the gastrointestinal (GI) distress that occurs during a run or bouts of exercise—resulting in cramping, bloating, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and pain. Runner's trots and runner's belly are other common names for these symptoms.
That's a finding from a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, which concluded that people who run on a regular basis—consistently, but slowly—have a longer lifespan than those who are out pushing it to the line every time.
It is scientifically valid and reliable and based on a 4C's framework, which measures key components of mental toughness - Control, Commitment, Challenge and Confidence.