Hi
Does anyone use a visual image or a mantra to keep them going? My mantra is "heel to toe, heel to toe, heel to toe" and my image is the road runner from wilde coyote cartoon. Would be interested in hearing about any "mental" tricks used to keep you going!
Head up, shoulders back, relax. Repeat. Mostly I get lost in the music.
I'm with andystev....I'm usually doing "in flight" checks...posture (erect, not leaning forward)/am I relaxed, but not limp/how's my breathing (or, more correctly, am I still gasping from that last set)/am I smiling (may as well LOOK like I'm having a good time, although anyone who sees me isn't fooled by that smile)/are my arms at my sides (not across the front of me "holding" me back)/is that dog coming after me? (lol)
I don't run with Laura or music....but I may consider chanting my mantra (with my inner voice, no sense PROVING I'm around the bend) when my runs get longer...that sounds like a good idea!
I visualise my daughters, who live in Australia, waiting at the end of the road for me.
On my last run W4R1 I found myself saying out loud "I don't mind, it don't matter" in time to my steps. Apart from being grammatically incorrect it really helped me to grit my teeth and carry on!
I really don't know why but whenever I am flagging a bit during a run I start repeating 'I am a runner'. It just helps me. I suppose I'm still surprised to be running at all.
I do a lot of 'remembering' when I run as I listen to eighties music (when I was a teenager) and I like to remember discos/boyfriends /events/parties: the visualisation of these things really help to pass the time and as they are happy things it tends to keep me positive.
You could call it 'running therapy'! 
i think of those people from the biggest loser club who were pushed into exercising with the bloke screaming at them and think if they could do it so can i. u can do it gets muttered quite a lot.
Get up the hill, get up the hill, get up the hill, up the hill...don't fall going down the hill, down the hill, down the hill. Ok, I live in Saltash, it's hilly!
I also "see" myself at the top of the hill, just there, just past that bus stop/lamp post/insert your own marker here. Great question!
CaroleC
Loving all these answsers! Its good to know that the people you jog past are also gritting their teeth (in their head). I still do the ROCKY moment at the end of each 30 minute run- still cant quite believe I can run for 30 minutes
"duh duh duuuuuuuh duh duh duh duh duuuuuuuuuuh (aidrainnnnnnnnnn).
I know- will get carted off one day...
My first 5k
5x50 pathetic ailment
Done it
