Visualize your run.

[boptillyoudrop49]

Excerpt from book Running for Women by Claire Kowalchik :

Visualization draws on your imagination to create positive images of you as a runner. "What you see in your mind's eye can strongly influence your beliefs and achievements," says (Jerry) Lynch, PhD "Our central nervous system does not distinguish between real and imagined events: it sees and accepts all images as if they were real."

There's more but that's essentially it and now -How to do it:

1. Find a quiet space where you won't be disturbed.

2. Close your eyes, take five deep abdominal breaths.

3. Relax and clear your mind of distractions

4. Imagine yourself running - down your street or on the path in your local park Be specific: See yourself moving with good posture, arms close to your sides, swinging forward and back in relaxed good form. Your feet lightly touch the ground as your legs lengthen into a smooth stride. Your breathing is relaxed and comfortable. You are strong and swift and you feel as though you could run forever.

That is the runner you see in your mind; that is the runner you will become.

Does it work? I dunno I fall down at the first hurdle which is number 1 above, find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed.

Specially for you mfamilias

[Irishprincess Graduate]

"You are strong and swift" and then that direwolf catches you and eats you......

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

He is certainly visualizing sommat.

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

He is gorgeous! I can't get beyond no 3 because my head is just a jumble of everything most of the time. When I try this at the few yoga sessions I've done I just end up giggling. Not good.

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

I met an Australian trainee Buddhist monk when I was about 17 and he used to invite me along to his meditation classes but I was really crap at trying to visualise anything . Actually we did a really nice meditation I remember for loving kindness: imagine everyone you know and care about and say, may you be well, may you be happy in your mind. Then it got harder, moving on to people you felt neutral about, then people you really couldn't stand (my words) and so on around the world. Not much help with running though I don't think. I am afraid I just got gremlin attacks and felt all twitchy and uncomfortable but really admire people who can sit still for ages despite all the cramping and meditate.

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

Mmmnnn not sure I could wish nice things about some people but I guess that's the challenge!

[mfamilias Graduate]

You're a doll, sweetie THANK YOU! I'll check the book out.

I just burst out laughing at your penultimate line - I have the same problem. I shall give it a try though - never say never. I often dream that I'm running like that. Yesterday the seams on my running top were rubbing my arms - THAT never happens when I visualise, or when I dream. Maybe I should be running in my flannel PJs? Erratum for the book: "You are strong and swift, WEARING FLANNEL PJ's, and feel as though you could run forever". Yup.

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to mfamilias]

ooh I have never dreamt of running! I feel deprived.

[mfamilias Graduate in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

Could be a blessing in disguise - It can be painful for anyone who is unfortunate enough to be within kicking range.

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to mfamilias]

Oh so sorry about that, I was just dreaming about running (you twat). I can see the uses

[mfamilias Graduate in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

You learn fast Envisioning: changing relationships all over the world, as you sleep...

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

Never dreamt of running..seriously? I dream of running so much...usually running well..that is how I know I am dreaming😏

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

No, I never have I don't often remember dreaming but when I do they are just those weird composite dreams

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

Very deep...

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate]

Actually I will have a bash at visualizing myself nailing my 10k race on Sat. Will report back on the effectiveness but I am not so sure I am very good at picturing something in my mind's eye. I shall make it very authentic, feel the sweat trickling down my forehead, hear the stamping of my feet on the ground and the raspy bad breath of people running alongside me, etc.

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

They (running coaches, etc) say this really works. You'll nail the race on Saturday BTYD.

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Oh thanks your maj

[mfamilias Graduate in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

You'll have it done and dusted before you have time to worry about it - go for it! I'll be waving my pompoms for you as I gazelle my way through the vineyards. I reckon that envisioning a kind of female Rocky with a sweatband and buttocks so taught you could crack nuts with them (uh, maybe that wasn't the right image there, oops) is a very cool alternative. As for hearing stuff around you, just put your headphones on and whop up the volume.

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to mfamilias]

It will definitely distract me from my running woes, that's for sure! I think I am visualizing myself as a kind of Kenyan super runner actually. Definitely not the plodding reality. No place for that in my mind's eye. Muscly though, yeah I like that.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

Plus the sound of your winning whoop as you head across that line☺

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Haha yes can't forget that, as I cross the finish line - first! Helluva visualization that one would have to be.

[Zev1963 Graduate]

Sounds similar to Alexander tachnique for posture.

You imagine your head attached to a string, the string being pulled up into the sky.

Your neck following your head,

Your back following your neck

Lower back following your back

tail bone following

pelvis following

Just visualise, do nothing physical. It really works, surprisingly

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to Zev1963]

Really? That's such a coincidence. My daughter's violin teacher suggested Alexander technique just the other day. I will look it up. Cheers for that. I know visualization is recommended for exams and interviews but I think you need to keep at it for a certain amount of time to effectively convince your mind of the images you are feeding it. I'm trying that Alexander technique thing from your post out now and it does work actually.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Zev1963]

It does..sorted me after a car crash...!☺

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Didn't know you'd been in a car crash

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

Yep... quite a few years ago... ( not my fault)...and after intensive physio... which did not really sort the issues.. I was treated by a chap who used the Alexander technique... it really helped me.

My right arm, which had been quite literally a pain... and my neck and back...improved terrifically...I still use the techniques he taught me if I have aches and pains!

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Glad to hear it helped floss. I'll check it out.

[saphxx]

the only thing i am good at visualising is a bottle of red and no kids nipping at my feet! good luck on the 10k ! maybe visualize yourself on a hoverboard and you might float to the finish?

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to saphxx]

Thanks. Not long to go now so I'll see if the old visualization helps. I could see how it would make a difference. Vino senza bambini. Did it work out?

[Zev1963 Graduate in reply to saphxx]

ummmmmmmm du vin rouge

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to Zev1963]

I can feel a lot of heavy visualisation going on here. Rignold will not approve of this!

[secan Graduate]

I was introduced to visualization as training technique when I used to practice archery but I've always been a bit sceptical about its effectiveness; if it really worked, my boss would have been long dead... XD

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to secan]

Haha secan. When at first you don't succeed,...