
Whenever I go to Clissold Park for a walk or a run, I always mentally prepare myself for the distance. It really helps, but also limits me at the same time. For example, say I tell myself “Monica, get out of bed and go do a lap around the park!” By the end of that first lap, I usually feel like I can’t go any further. And yet, I know I can!
Last Monday I was finally feeling well enough to go for a run. I decided to do three laps, walking the first, then run/walking the second two. I knew I could do it and I did. It felt incredible! And once again, I marveled at the power of mental preparation (and a good podcast).
Consequently, my friend, Stu, was also at the park that day on his run. He later wrote a wonderful post about motivation that I want to share with you now. He talks about his first run at Clissold Park and his struggle to make it around once.
The hardest thing wasn’t the physical challenge. I was pretty sure I could do it, but I had a real mental block and in that first lap I really did think ‘I can’t do this’ and lo, at the end of one lap had to walk. But summoning up the courage I did go a bit further, slowly and at my own pace. I felt OK and did manage to keep going. And at first that’s all you have to do.
All you have to do is keep going. Get over that first hurdle and keep at it.
I hope Stu doesn’t mind me sharing so much of his post, but his closing words really struck a chord for me. Maybe they will for you too.
Fundamentally, if you’re reading this and thinking you’re interested in running but ‘there’s no way I could do that’ then all I can say is I was once like you, not that long ago and I managed it. The guy who likes to stay out late, enjoy more than the odd beer and who until 5 years ago didn’t look after themselves properly physically or eat the right food. It doesn’t take much to change your habits to get started and give it a good crack. You’ll be surprised. But definitely, I understand its a mental challenge, but stick to it. The rewards are great and you don’t have to push yourself too hard to get up to a good level of fitness or be able to enter competitions where you don’t disgrace yourself.
Getting Motivated by Stu
Thanks for the props Mon! Certainly don’t mind you sharing my posts round to anyone who is interested. It is so hard to find the motivation to get going (even now as a more experienced runner) but once you start its a damn sight easier! I reckon if you were to look at the whole process of going for a run and the percentage breakdown of mental exertion involved, it would break down something like this.
30% spent on actually agreeing with yourself you will go and getting started.
50% spent completing the first half of a run. Whether battling through how little I’m enjoying it, how hard it seems to be, that its too hot/too rainy/general negativity!
20% finishing the latter half.
The stupid thing is I derive so much satisfaction from running/finishing a run that it is crazy how much mental energy goes in to getting just half way!
Does anyone agree?
Good post. The early heat wave with the humidity in Virginia **has** been physically tough but the hardest part has been the self-imposed mental barriers. I start thinking, “I can’t do this”, and, sure enough, once I start thinking that, I can’t do it.
Great post. You hit it on the head. It is all mental or at least most of it is. I repeat to myself “just keep going do not stop”. Just go at an easy pace but never stop. We surprise ourselves with what we can really do…if we just do it! Thanks for the post. Its good to know others have and are going through the same thing.
Kelley