Confidence v's Gremlins

[Needing-answers]

Went to my first club practice session last night after completing my first 10k race on Sunday.

It was an interval session and I followed instructions and got through it a lot easier than I have done. One of the runners talked to me later and said she'd never seen me run as well as last night, and she put it down to the confidence completing the 10k gave me.

For the first time yesterday I ran with confidence, believed I could do the exercises, ran hard when required, gave it the very best efforts I could. Yesterday I realised I was a runner 😊

I know the gremlins are going to reappear at times, but I know now that I'm better than the gremlins.

I can't wait for Parkrun on Saturday, that's going to be interesting to say the least 😊

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

Its a great feeling, dont let it go and get yourself a mantra you can chant to see the gremlins off... Mine is,' I am strong and powerful, I am a panther' . It used to be 'push that body punish that body' but it was a bit too synonymous with injury!!!

[Needing-answers Graduate10 in reply to ju-ju-]

I like that idea! I use to tell myself 'just keep breathing', but I need to find a new one that says more about me now than trying to avoid turning blue!

[Bazza1234 Graduate10 in reply to ju-ju-]

Mine is "Choo Choo. I think I can, I think I can " !! sung at 180BPM

[Needing-answers Graduate10 in reply to Bazza1234]

Love it! I really need to find my mantra, and if it's sung at 180bpm then all the better!

[Katie204 Graduate10 in reply to Bazza1234]

Does anyone else do "choo choo arms" when they're trying to go faster or go up a hill - or is it just me?

[Needing-answers Graduate10 in reply to Katie204]

I do it too, but I never though about making the noise... Until now!

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

That's a really lovely positive post! I think I gained confidence from my first 10k event too - it had been such a huge goal in my head, even though I had run it many times in training. I was so proud🙂. I do agree about keeping the gremlins in check too, and in having a mantra or two to repeat in times of need! Mine are "to survive, you just have to keep on going..."! and (when I have 2k left to run) "I have always got another 2k in me.."! Good luck🙂

[Needing-answers Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

I like both of those, and funny enough I'm planning on trying to push harder on the last 2k of the Parkrun Saturday. I know definitely there's more than another 2k in there now. Thanks for commenting 😊

[Noaky12 Graduate10]

That post was just exactly what I needed to hear right now. Thank you for such a positive post ☺

[Needing-answers Graduate10 in reply to Noaky12]

You're most welcome, glad I could help 😊

[davelinks Graduate10]

Yes, you are! Well done!😊

[Mat30 Graduate10]

Funny how we all use different mantras. Mine is from a book I read that had absolutely nothing to do with running. When I get tired I use "slow is smooth, smooth is fast" I know its a bit odd but it seems to work for me.

[Needing-answers Graduate10 in reply to Mat30]

I like that, I still haven't found mine yet 😳

[Celtprof Graduate10]

Great post- sounds like you are doing brilliantly.

[Needing-answers Graduate10 in reply to Celtprof]

Thank you. It's strange that for each of us it's a very personal journey, but collectively we can see our journey in others posts. Your not far off from doing your own 10k very soon 😊