The biggest lesson by far I have learned throughout my fitness journey and especially running is without a doubt the mental side of running.
Friends ask me all the time, “Is running more physical or mental?” I responded very quickly saying “Mental and it is not even close.” Running a lot obviously takes a massive toll on your body leaving you in complete and utter pain at moments. However, with that being said it is way harder to continue to push through while having everything yelling at you to quit.
Blisters popping, knees feeling like someone took a hammer to them, calves cramping like they are being split into two, yet the mental battle is harder to fight. Allow me to open your eyes to why I am right in this matter. The body is in way more pain, yes. However, it is so easy to quit just because your body is quitting on you. It would be so nice to just stop this run and try to be better tomorrow. It would be so nice to give up during this race and chalk it up to what could’ve been. These are all thoughts we have as runners whenever we face hardship.
It being so easy to quit is hard not to give into for many reasons. Mainly one being that it favors your body to be in less pain. Stopping early will obviously help you recover quicker or be in less pain. It being so easy to quit is a constant reminder during whatever race or workout you are doing. The wishful thinking of wanting it to be over can be true if you just give up right now. Which is what makes it so hard. You may swear a couple of times, be out of breath, however, not giving up will always make you feel better no matter what.
To do these events like a marathon, Iron Mans, ultras, you have to have a strong mental fortitude. You have to not give up unless it is absolutely necessary, meaning that you could be in a critical condition or admitted to a hospital. These events are one of a kind lifetime events yet don’t get it mixed up. It isn’t worth dying for. However, let your mental failure be part of your future success in the next race.
The human body is capable of going through extreme lengths, lengths you never once dreamed of. Don’t let your mind be the reason you quit. You can push yourself further than you have ever imagined. People say that the mind quits way before the body which is something that I find to be very true.
I am also here to say that I have been a victim of this as well. I have let my mind win and tell me that I can’t go any further or faster. That maybe today is just not the day for me. That maybe today was made out to be this once in a lifetime experience. That maybe I am not built for this lifestyle. That maybe I am just not in good enough shape to accomplish this goal of mine. All thoughts I have had during a hard day of training or during my races.
A big thing I have taken away throughout my experiences is that whatever you are going through is not as bad as it seems. That this pain will pass just like the time on the watch. There are people out in the world going through way worse things such as illness, disease, etc. Don’t get it twisted, you are just running at the end of the day. You signed up for this for whatever that reason was that you been holding tightly onto.
Running is all mental at the end of day, don’t make your problems bigger than they may seem.
