"I'm doing it!"
(The key is, I have to say it out loud. That's what makes it special!)
The first time I used this mantra was during the Harrisburg Marathon in 2012. It was my PR marathon. Around mile 20, I passed Paul and his mom. I was right on pace to blow my previous PR out of the water by 10 minutes! I was on track to not only BQ but break 3:30.
"I'm doing it!!!" I shouted to them, as I ran off to tackle the last 6.2 miles.
I don't know why I was so confident, but somehow I just knew nothing was going to throw me off track during the last miles. Those miles weren't easy, but I did them. "I can do anything for _____ more minutes," I kept saying to myself.
That's another little mantra of mine. The "X number of minutes" game.
That's another little mantra of mine. The "X number of minutes" game.
What's your running mantra?
Your mantra is so uplifting! I like that!
ReplyDeleteMy most recent mantra is "push out of your comfort zone" or just "comfort zone, comfort zone, comfort zone" repeated over and over again until the hard run is done! I don'd do the X minutes game because even two miles for me is a lot of minutes, haha. I do tell myself X miles game because that number sounds small!
The miles game works well too! I even sometimes count the miles to the tenth because 1.9 sounds a lot less than 2 for some reason.
DeleteSo many typos in that comment. I hope Ali didn't see! :D
DeleteHahha I do 1/2 miles sometimes if I need the extra boos!
This really made me think! I don't have one thing that I really stick too. I know when things get tough I have a million thoughts go through my head. I am a mentally destructive runner, so I have to get my mind on board with my body. It usually involves me just telling myself "I am strong, I can do this" or depending on if I am really falling apart "get your shit together!" haha!
ReplyDeleteIt's good to have different mental strategies for different days! I suppose we all need that! :)
DeleteYeah, I totally do that too where I say I can do anything for 4 hours, or 10 minutes, or whatever. I use that same mantra during childbirth too.
ReplyDeleteOoh, which means I guess I would have to shout "I'M DOING IT!" during childbirth hehe.
DeleteI've borrowed this mantra before, by accident! During A1A I kept saying "I'm really doing this!!" Over and over haha!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a specific mantra these days but I've found that reminding myself that "it's all in your head" (pain, fatigue, fear, etc) helps!
Oh man I could borrow your mantra. I'm going to keep it in mind.
DeleteMy mantras often pop in my head right before a race or a workout. Like you said to me - why NOT me? That stuck. Last one, fast one. If it's hurting me, it's killing them. Most of that shit comes out of nowhere! I'm going to remember "I'm doing it!" for Boston!
ReplyDeleteYes! I hope you find it inspiring!
DeleteAs distances have increased, my motto has become "You got this, just keep running!" I found that negative thoughts drag me down, and can't have that.
ReplyDeleteI have been feeling very negative lately so it is nice to hear everyone's positive mantras!
DeleteI have always reminded myself that "I get to do this. I am doing something that I genuinely love to do."
ReplyDeleteI also try and set mini goals in my mind and not think about the big picture. For example,"you can make it to the stop sign. You can make it up that hill. You are strong enough for one more mile." And then when I get there, I set the next goal.
Lately, I've been pulling the childbirth card when I start feeling the pain. I tell myself, "you pushed a baby out. This is nothing. Now suck it up." :)
I totally need to remember sometimes that I do GET to do this. Love that one, Kristen. :)
DeleteChild birth, okay, anyone who has done that is tough as shit!
I love your running mantra!
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan :)
DeleteWhen it's really tough, it's "You can do this. Just keep going." When things get a little better, it's "This is your day!!" :)
ReplyDeleteI loooooooove "This is your day!!!" :)
DeleteMine is "if you want it go get it!" Usually it works if I'm in a time crunch for a goal. ;)
ReplyDeleteOOh yeah good one!
DeleteWhen I used to run and was close to reaching exhaustion, I would think about what I'm going to do when I get home... I'm gonna chug some water. Stretch. Take a long shower. Put on my pajamas. Lay on the couch and watch mindless TV. Cap things off with a huge dinner. Block out the pain and imagine how comfortable and proud you are going to be when you lay on the couch.
ReplyDeleteOoh yah you know I like to lay on the couch! :)
DeleteI didn't read your race report yet but I'm going to today! Can't wait to see how those mantras worked for you! :)
ReplyDelete