The Brain as a Muscle?

[AnneDroid]

I always thought running was a thing people - other people that is - did with their legs and lungs.

I had no idea that the mind was such a crucial component of the whole business. I have to talk myself out of despair sometimes and other times I'm as high as a kite!

Has that surprised anyone else?

[Madzoya]

Yes, I've learnt that is more up to my brain than to my legs. The power of the mind is great.

[Bazza1234 Graduate10]

That might be right for you - but what about us people who don't have a brain????

[Hidden]

Oh gosh yes. I make allowances (excuses) for less successful runs by blaming it on my body (not taken on enough fuel, legs aching from gardening the day before blah blah) but actually it's all about mental attitude. If I go over the run in my head before starting, including finishing successfully, it helps me.

[poppypug Graduate10]

Yes, this is so true !

The body wont go where the mind wont let it . I do a quick check list to myself, breathing okay , legs okay, everything else okay , then I know its my mind playing tricks and know that Ive just got to push on and get through it xxx

[PippiRuns in reply to poppypug]

That list of yours got me through a couple of difficult runs.

[PippiRuns]

No, I knew it right from the beginning of my running "career", but that didn't make it any easier to fight the gremlins off. Now I think I am beginning to know how to deal with my mind when it plays up