Running through the pain???

Question

hey, need a little help.

I run cross country, but i have a major problem of stopping as soon as it starts to hurt.

Any ideas on how to stop me from quitting? What motivates you to run through pain?

Answer 1

Think about why you're doing what you do. Part of the reason is because you want to push yourself. You may know you're not superhuman, but you know you're capable of more. To stop means to quit. Just keep looking forward and keep moving. Be comforted with the knowledge that your body will adapt.

Maybe you should set a goal of never walking--no matter what. Just set that to be the bare minimum of success. Anything less is failure. When you feel pain next time just slow down, but don't walk or stop. Go into a steady jog if you have to until the pain goes away.

Yesterday I went running with a friend. He wasn't as big a runner as I am so he went running on the main trail while I ran the one mile warm-up trail first. In the end, even with the one mile head start, I still finished before him. The only bad part was I went against the wind for the last two miles to catch and outrun him.

Today when I set out for my usual five miles I felt pain in my ankles after only a couple blocks. I knew it was from the wind yesterday and even though every step was painful I kept going. I didn't go nearly as quick as usual, but I wasn't going to walk. I guess I have the "To walk is to quit" motto so ingrained in my psyche that I couldn't stop if I wanted.

Maybe something similar might work for you?

Answer 2

I ran cross country last year, never actually went to games though, but I ran with the team during practice. It counted as my P.E, so I decided ot that. Anyways, I found it best to just breathe deeplyonce and then out twice, and repeat. This was the best solution I found that helped me run as soon as I felt pain of some sort. Another thing to try is, to avoid thinking about your pain, divert your thoughts to something else. Kind of start thinking to yourself, soon enough you will have forgotten the pain. You could do math in your head too, I heard some people do this also.

Answer 3

well, do you want to be a quitter when you know very well that your capable?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 4

If it hurts you might want to talk to your coach about it. Where does it hurt? Your ancles, your arch, your knees, a side ache? You weren't ery specific. If you told us where it hurt I would be able to give a better answer.  

Answer 5

it depends on where it hurts...   i used to have a problem with "sideaches" but learned to control my breathing so that i don't get them now.   (thanks google!)   as for joint pain, different shoes helps alot.   You may have unique feet that require orthopedics to correct the pronation save your joints.   Proper warm up, stretching, nutrition.   Your 18, lucky.   I'm 28 and running through the pain.    

Answer 6

The pain in your legs goes away, the pain of a DNF doesn't.

Answer 7

Well I'm in the military so I know what you mean, but for me the motivation is simple. I don't have a choice.   You just gotta find something to put your mind on.  I know I try to lie to myself. I'll say alright just to that light pole, then when i get there. I'll say  ok a bit more just to that building and so on.

Answer 8

I think your body is telling you that you are injured and you should probably stop so you can heal and run again.

Answer 9

I also do cross and the worse thing that happened to me is hemstring where i thought i was gonna die. What i did was run with it by applying pressure on it. It hurt extremely bad, and i thought i was about to die, but the thing that motivates me the most is knowing the feeling i'd get if i ever quit and walk out of race. I hate that feeling of disappointment like you just couldn't do it. Last time i did that, it was with hurdles, and i never did hurdles again. I wouldn't want the same thing to happen again with cross cause i love it. Look for something that motivates you. Even if you don't win, think about what you're gonna accomplish in the long run. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. You can do it. :)

Good luck ! :)

Answer 10

if you keep this up you are going to pull a hemi!

Answer 11

my xc coach always tells us this one line;

"theres always going to be that voice in your head, telling you to stop because your dying and can't take the pain anymore, that voice is LYING."

you just got to suck it up, the pain will eventually go away, and you will get to this point where it doesnt get any worse. remember; tough times don't last, only tough people.