The loneliness of the long distance runner....

...this, incidentally, is also a song by Iron Maiden, from the Somewhere in Time album :-)

But more seriously, it encapsulates one of the biggest issues with distance running - namely the mental aspect. Running is hard enough physically - but running on your own makes it harder. On several occasions I've been out for a longish run and early into it the voices started whispering in my head

"you're not going to complete your mileage"
"why keep going - just stop, it's easier"
"feel that twinge in your knee? Yeah - best not risk an injury, good excuse to turn around"

..and sometimes, they've won. I've suddenly stopped - quit mid run and gave up. I hate doing that, as I usually know I'm well capable of what I'm planning to do and I'm taking the easy route out....but it happens.

Things is though - it happens to everyone.  Regardless of their ability and experience, sometimes it's just not right upstairs and you're mentally not right for the run. If you can battle through that and go on running, then it feels even better!

(Note - I'm differentiating between stopping because you've talked yourself into it and stopping because you're in serious pain / overheating / the terrain is iced over and dangerous etc. Stopping then is absolutely the right thing to do)


Anyway - this is all well and good, but how do you combat the mental fatigue or self doubt? I've listed my preferred methods below.

1) Run with someone else
 Undoubtedly the best way. Chatting as you run is absolutely the best way of helping the run go faster (though running with me tends to be more of a one-way conversation!). It also helps you maintain your pace...and it's a lot harder to quit mid-run when you're with someone else!

2) Listen to music
 Not for everyone maybe, but my iPod nano is an essential running aid. I've picked out a running playlist so I don't have to worry about skipping songs I don't like etc. Just make sure that you're still aware of your surroundings - cars, other runners, cyclists etc

3) Daydream
Sounds a bit silly, but letting your mind wander into potential scenarios  - like planning out exactly how you'd spend the money if you won the Lottery - stops you obsessing over how far you've gone, and how far left to go!

4) Divide your run into smaller chunks
If I'm starting a very long run, I'll often have a contingency target in my head. "I'm supposed to do 90 minutes, but maybe I'll get to 60 and see how it goes". Once you reach your secondary target it's often easier to do another 10 mins, then another etc. This also works for interval training with lots of reps :)

5) Vary your route
Try and choose different places to do the long run, or if choice is restricted for location then change the route around, do it backwards etc. It's surprising how much difference it makes!

I'm sure others will have other methods - but it's my blog so..... ;-)

 

Marathon training update

Now midway through week 5 and training is going well! Had some "fun" doing hill sessions last week up Tithe Hill and Egham Hill. Hard uphill for a minute, jog back down then repeat for a total of 6. Rest for a minute then repeat the set of 6, twice more.
That's 18 reps up a steep hill!

Absolutely exhausting - thankfully week 4 is more of a recovery week so I had a 4 mile marathon pace run and 10.5 mile long slow run to end the week. Am just back from my week 5 marathon pace run (6 miles) and felt really good. Hopefully it'll continue with the Wokingham Half Marathon on Sunday - one of my favourite races, and where I set my 13.1 mile PB last year! And before that I have a marathon seminar on Saturday arranged by Missing People for their marathon runners- looking forward to that too.

Fundraising

Amazingly, with 2 months still to go I've already raised over £1100 pounds for Missing People. I've been overwhelmed by the support (and by the evident desire of those who know me to get me to shut up for a bit!). Thanks to all who have donated so far - you're all wonderful people.

http://www.justgiving.com/Rory-Murphy1


Cheers

Rory