Good morning !
A brand new day in MAY and lots to look forward to, as the weather, hopefully, gets a tad warmer and a tad sunnier...
The Corner is open, the cushions are ready and the reviving beverages and some tasty snacks are waiting !
SO.... what am I rambling about today... well, I am rambling about running; of course you are, I hear you say.... this is a running forum!
Well yes, but, this morning I am thinking not specifically about our running body... but our running mind. !
Whether you realise it or not... and I am sure you do, our minds play a massive part in our running. Why we do it and how we do it. We chatted, a week or so ago, about those sneaky little running gremlins that get into our heads, but this is about a bit more.
The mindset needed for running... whether you are here with us as one of our amazing Newbies, someone, who other than at school has never run before, or whether you are a returner or repeater. What is or what should we try to get into our heads?
We hear and read about some of the most amazing elite runners who work so hard on their mind sets, in order to achieve the goals they set for themselves... but this is not just for them... this is for all of us.
Currently .my mindset has been all over the show!!
Up, down, for me, against me... and driving me quite loopy! So, as this new month began.. I made a promise to myself that I am going to work very hard on keeping, regardless of what life may throw at me, a mindset that is... POSITIVE!
This now begs the question... why bother? Well, quite simply, it can improve your confidence, your performance, and your enjoyment. What's not to like?
By exercising our mental strength, we may be able... in time, to stay positive, maintain motivation and generally create an all around improvement in our approach to our runs.
Now, the best bit? This does not involve lots of complicated, tricky and time taking strategies... There are some simple things, really simple!
A few ideas, just short descriptions here, , but if you use and work on the techniques, or some of them, in your own way, they may just work for you !
* Be your own best running friend: Literally, cheer yourself on. Encourage yourself and praise your self... you are awesome.
* Bite-size your run : C25K does that for you, but if you are beyond that, then break the run down, take it one section at a time.
* Find your own mantra : My daughter had a mantra when she was at University. “ I can and will succeed” . ( She did). Eliud Kipchoge wears a blue bracelet around his wrist, with the words, “ No human is limited”, inscribed. What is your mantra,,, you all know mine?
* Create a fabulous running video in your head : Image yourself, running, tall and proud and confident. Imagine the easy, light steps, the steady breathing and you , crossing that finish line, which is the end of your run , Crossing it, feeling successful, ready and eager for more.
* Change the negative thoughts to positive ones : Quite simply, turning a negative thought into a positive one... e.g. “I hope my foot doesn't hurt again today...becomes, my foot is going to be fine today”. It will take time to get this right, but with practice, it could just work. The pattern of your thoughts becomes a reality.
* Distract yourself : Do this in whatever way you like. I look around , I take in every single, sight sound, smell and sensation. You can count, sing in your head, make up daft rhymes, create a whole fantastic menu for a meal or make a shopping list in your head. Give the trees or bushes names, give silly names to the people you pass...( not aloud obviously). I know someone on the frum who named a bush in a park after me !
* BE KIND TO YOURSELF : This means, if it ain't happening...then it is not the end of the world...ease back, slow down, and if that is still proving to be a struggle, stop. The run is still there, and you turn the negative, I couldn't do this, into...I did really well in that run, and I know next time, I will start slower, breathe easier and I will finish it. The runs wait and you have to work on the thought that YOU will succeed.
Okay.... ramble over... I and all of us popping in for a chat, want to know your thoughts., please.
What kind of shape is your mind-set in ? Mine, as I said has been pretty out of shape for a while; but I am going to be working on the exercises which will make it stronger, and give it stamina,
If anyone feels as I do, what are you planning to work on?
So grab a cushion, get yourself a drink and a snack, sit down and share 
Oldfloss
PS
In case there is anyone who does not know my mantra... ( is there anyone)? It is of course... SLOW and STEADY!
The trick is to get myself to halfway.
