Numerous studies in the “Mind Over Body” field try to prove that our mind often stops us before we even reach our body’s real potential. Understanding this isn’t enough. You need to know how to deal with your mind when it starts to play tricks on you. When your mind tells things like:
“You’re done”
“You reached your limit, and you have to stop”
“You are too tired to go on”
You have a limited willpower capacity, so eventually, you will subdue those limiting thoughts.
These are coping tricks that help you silence the inner voice and continue much longer, even when you think you can’t.
1. Distract your mind
You need to make your mind busy doing something else other than focusing on your discomfort. Arm yourself with music, motivational speeches, or a captivating audiobook. This will help keep your mind working on things that boost its positive energy.
Alternatively, a good distractor can be another person. Either she/he runs, bikes, or uses any other means of transportation convenient for this occasion. Engaging in conversation will make you forget that your legs are working hard.
2. Segment your run
Long-distance runners commonly use this. Let me exemplify: Say you’re planning to run 5 kilometers. Split that distance in your head into equal 5 x 1-kilometer segments. Once you’ve started to run, think only about the one kilometer you are currently running. Once you run 500 meters, tell yourself: “Oh, that’s already halfway through my 1-kilometer segment”.
These small milestones will keep you motivated because they are within reach and constantly give you a sense of accomplishment.
If you have a phone app for runners or a sports watch, there normally are options to have segments for your run as well.
3. Talk to yourself
Sometimes, you don’t want to listen to anything or anyone, nor will you have the means to segment your distance. In a situation like this, you can start talking with yourself (it could be a conversation inside your head, too). When you start to feel tired, ask yourself, “Why am I doing this in the first place?” or “Where is this feeling coming from? Am I really done, or is it just laziness speaking to me ?”
Challenge yourself. If it worsens, promise yourself that you will reconsider stopping after another kilometer (You can repeat this indefinitely).
Concluding thoughts
All of these tricks will gradually increase your ability to withstand longer distances. But it's also important to know that you must listen to your body.
Sometimes, there will be signals that mean you have to stop and not push yourself beyond the limit. It takes time to know when you are just slothful or when you shouldn’t go any further.
You can also look at running itself as a coping mechanism to deal with stress in daily life. Running causes discomfort for your body and your mind. The longer you can deal with that, the more mentally stronger you become. This will definitely help you to face problems that life throws at you way easier than ever before.
Run longer, become stronger. You can, your mind just doesn’t know it yet.
