How do you tell yourself to keep pushing when running?

Question

My mental strength for running long distances is so weak. I feel myself hurting in my legs and I have a hard time pushing myself. What do you do to keep going? I keep running but I run at a VERY slow pace. I don't know if its my head telling me to slow down or if my legs just burn that badly. I really want to go fast but I cant and I just dont understand why. Any tips to stay strong?

Answer 1

The only way I've found is to run with people better than me.  Depending on where you live I bet there are some running groups that meet up and run for all levels.  Check with you local running store and ask.

Answer 2

This is definitely the hardest part of running. You have to want to keep running so bad that you push out all physical pains. One thing that helps me is thinking that the faster you run the sooner the pain is going to end.  I also totally block out the fact that I could start walking.  Try going for a slow jog that is about 8 miles long.  It isn't always about speed.  If you try running slower for a longer distance your body will build up to the shorter distance and speed.  

Answer 3

slow down a little bit and just keep your eye fixed on a specific object and keep going it'll take your mind off running and you'll get there faster and you'll stop hurting and make sure you finish off with a strong sprint!

Answer 4

I want to build up to ten miles running endurance. I pace myself. Relax. A slower pace enables you to go farther and longer without burnout. Surprisingly relaxed musckes even during a run will take longer to fatigue and get you farther. Keep repeating to yourself "Running is a journey a long journey that I can enjoy" Relax. Enjoy. Forget perfection. You dont need to be the fastest or best endurance runner over night. This happens over the course of weeks Im learning too I know. Theres some days where I get frustrated and want to run too fast too soon.  

Answer 5

I had the same problem and it can be really frustrating. When I get tired I tell myself that if I walk or stop all of the hard work that I just put in is a waste. If you go to runnersworld.com there is a program where it will email you a motivational quote every day to get you out the door and runnning and often they help me while I'm running. The speed means nothing without endurance. Good luck, hope this helps

Answer 6

Well if your running on the streets you can use music. It's the same concept as a treadmill. When you set a treadmill to a speed you don't have a choice to slow down. You "have" to stay at that speed. Do the same thing with music. Download songs on your ipod that have the beat that corresponds with about the pace you want to run then as you are running force yourself to run "to" the music and not slow down more than the beat. Helps me alot! Good Luck!

Answer 7

I have had a lot of trouble in long distance because of the mental part.

I give myself pep talks or I just keep ignoring the pain.  The hardest part of long runs are the first one or two miles.  Often I try to kind of space out and stare into the distance or look at the scenery.

I think about how if I stop now, I'm never going to improve and if I keep giving up it's never going to get any easier.  If I stop now I'll regret it.  Like when I run and I stop before I'm done with the run, I feel terrible because I'm like "Wow, I suck" but now I think about fighting all the pain and just finishing and then I think "I can do this" and feel good about myself.  When I feel bad with running, I run more because if I stop I'll feel even worse.

"Tough times don't last but tough people do" <--Yeah :)

Answer 8

There are a couple answers to this question... if you are feeling fatigued in the legs or sore; it could be due to a lack of energy. The good thing is that this may not be mental. Your body will begin to feel fatigued when it has burned through your body's runners fuel or carbohydrates in the form of blood glucose and glycogen

Try drinking an energy drink when you run such as gatorade, cytomax, etc or you can run with energy gels. Try chocolate energy gels, it's like eating fudge.

If you are cramping it could be due to lack of sodium from losing salt when you sweat. Try eating pretzels or slated crackers. You should definatley be getting someting in your stomach every 45 minutes. Either a gel, a few crackers, an energy bar. Check your local sports store they should have options. Markets also.

The other option could be over-training. Be sure not to increase your weekly mileage by more than 10 percent over the previous week. Be careful to avoid jumping up in miles too quickly. Also if you start to feel an injury coming along, stop. Don't push yourself harder than necessary and cause long term damage. You can always run another day.

I just finished the San Francisco Marathon this last sunday, if you'd like to read how I dealt with tiredness and fatigue I just wrote about it on my Runner's Blog

pavementrunner.blogspot.com

I usually have running tips included. Check it out.