Running is a tough sport. There are a lot of little things that can creep in to make or break our running schedule. It’s hard to get up early in the morning. It is hard to run when it is freezing cold outside. A really difficult hill can throw off our entire course. So, here are walls that everyone faces and how to get through them.
ONE | Coping With Terrible Weather
Some runners are hardcore and run in every type of weather. Some will run outside even when their facial hair freezes. Others won’t cut out on training if there is a downpour. It’s rough on the training schedule when a heat wave hinders your run for a solid week. There is gear that can make running in all types of weather bearable. A good pair of gloves can help your hands on freezing and windy days. A hat with a brim and a waterproof jacket can get you through rainy course. A lot of runners will workout on a treadmill on days that are just too nasty to go out. You might want to save on gym fees and think about purchasing one for yourself. Another option is to embrace cross training on days that it’s more convenient to stay indoors.
TWO | Tackling Tough Terrain
Right when you hit your stride you turn a corner and are hit with a wall of dread. There is a huge hill ahead of you and dread descends. This type of mindset can kill a good run. So, take a moment to consider that the only way to get better at running up hills is to tackle a lot of hills. Consider the hill as part of your long-term progress as a runner. Don’t try to keep the same pace going up a hill. Allow yourself to slow down. Think about exerting the same amount of energy and not over exerting yourself in the short term. Sore muscles and dragging energy will hit you at the end of the run if you push yourself too hard on a hill now. As you train on hills make sure you train the downhill as much as you do the uphill. Going downhill uses different muscles so it’s a good idea to train downhill also.
THREE | All runners need to care for their feet
If you’re going to be out running on a semi-regular basis it is common sense that you need a good shoe. Since a good running shoe can be pretty pricey you want to get a pair that you can enjoy wearing. It might feel really intimidating to find the right shoes at first. You might not know what to look for when you walk in the store.There are many articles on how to find the right shoe for you. Shoe buying guides can be really helpful to get you familiar with what brands sell running shoes and their price points. Some shoe finder tools can give you more specific advice based on the data you input. Check some resources out before you buy so you can feel more confident in the shoe store. Looking beyond just equipment, check out these foot strength exercises that can help you develop and maintain good foot strength so you can make those running goals without injury.
FOUR | Building Mental Strength
A lot of running is in your head. A lot of the time training you are in a race with yourself. Will you meet the goals you set for your run today? Will you be able to push through the pain long enough to build up your endurance? Will you shake off the exhaustion of the long run from the past weekend to train today? Overcoming the mental obstacles of the run requires you to employ some mental techniques.
A lot of runners swear by a few moments of meditation before their run. They take some deep breaths and find their purpose before they set out. They bring themselves to a sense of calm and visualize how they want their course to go that day. This powerful technique allows you to start your run out strong note.
A lot of running work can be repetitive and boring. One foot in front of the other until your feet and legs are sore. At times when it is hard to keep going and hard to keep your mind off the hard work of running mantra’s can kelp you keep going. A mantra is a phrase or idea that runner repeat to keep them focused and motivated on their run. Choosing a few sayings and finding one that resonates with you can help you get through the last few miles of a hard run.