013: Mind Games For Miles

People often ask me what I think about during long training runs and races, and my answer is usually something along the lines of,

“As little as possible…”

Running has always been an escape for my ever-overthinking mind. A chance to set things down; worries, responsibilities, dreads and deadlines. I lace up, hit go on the Garmin, and within a few kilometres, I’m reduced to a single purpose entity moving through space and time.

The only goal: keep stepping forward.

Now that being said, there come’s a point during some longs (and every race) when the focus fades and my thoughts are turned forcefully to the conditions I find myself in: 

I didn’t sleep well.
My legs are heavy.
The hills keep coming.
Time slows to a crawl.

None of this is unusual, physical discomfort is part of the deal. But the mind has a way of amplifying these sensations and welding them as weapons in an assault on your confidence and capabilities.

In long races, the body rarely fails first, the mind simply decides it has.

I’ve long maintained that the worst things you can dwell on during any long run are how far you’ve run, how far you’ve got left to go, and how you really feel.

So, with spring marathon training plans reaching their peak, I thought I’d share a few of the distractions I use when things get a little heavy…

The Prison Food Game

Full disclosure, this one might make you hungry.

Imagine you’re in prison, how you got yourself there isn’t relevant. What is relevant though, is that in this particular prison, inmates are only to be served food and drinks that begin with their first initial.

Your job is to build your menu.

I won’t spoil it with examples, but let’s just say if this were a real life situation… some of you are going to enjoy it more than others.

Imaginary Band Mates

This one might be my favourite. 

If, like me, you like to spend some a run listening to music from time to time, why not imagine your friends and club mates to be the musicians they maybe never dreamt of being. 

As much as I enjoy Guns n Roses, the concert in my mind certainly hits different when my friend Tim is playing drums, Micky’s on rhythm guitar, Joanne’s playing bass and Janine’s on lead vocals. 

I’ll be playing lead guitar. Obviously.

Pick a Point

This is less a game and more a way of surviving the later stages of a race.

The premise here is simple, pick a visible point in your immediate future, it might be a lamp post, a gate or a strangle looking shrub growing by the side of the road, and focus on getting there. 

Forget about the miles left to go and how long they will take. 

Just get to the shrub, have a little walk while deciding on the next goal post (or plant,) and focus on getting there. 

Rinse and repeat as long as necessary.  

Find the “GOOD”

This one I picked up from a motivational YouTube video made by Jocko Willink, my favourite former Navy Seal Commander, and I’m sure yours well. 

The idea here is that no matter what the situation or obstacle, there is always a ‘good’ that will come from it, and a ‘good’ to be recognised. 

You started too fast. GOOD. You gained experience for the next race.  

You got lost. GOOD. You get to work on your navigation skills.

It’s raining. GOOD. You get to use that new waterproof, windproof jacket you had to buy for the race. 

The course is hillier than expected. GOOD. Hill training will make you faster over flat ground.

The race got cancelled. GOOD. You’ve already got a head start on training for the next one. 

Reframe any obstacle as an opportunity, and keep moving forward.

Don’t Think (Count Your Breaths)

This is an exercise I think everybody should have a go at, runner or not. 

The goal here is to simply not think about anything. 

See how long you can still the passing train of your thoughts for. 

Counting breaths is a good way to measure progress here. Track the amount of breaths you take before the count is interrupted by a thought, consider that the score to beat, and go again. 

I should point out that none of these should replace awareness. You still need to pay attention to your surroundings, traffic, course markings, when to eat and drink…

But used well, they can take the edge off those heavier moments, and here’s hoping they can help make those big scary training runs a little easier to conquer. 

Good luck with your training. 

P.S. I realise this article’s a little light on imagery, so here’s a photo of me thinking about the macaroons I could have in jail…