jammidodgr... i bet you're not the first one to get negative thoughts on a run and definitely won't be the last, so don't beat yourself up about it honey! remember that by running 9 miles you're running a lot further than most people run in a whole year. music can help...make sure they're upbeat tunes though I really wouldn't recommend REM or sometihng like that.

I get negative thoughts but I do my absolute best to banish them, as they can literally ruin a run short or long.

Just think when you do your 10 miler next week, you have already run 9 miles so you know it is possible, once you do start doing the distances you do wonder why you are doing them but after awhile they do give you confidence.

Perhaps do a body check when you are feeling negative, ask yourself do your legs feel good, is your breathing good, if all yes then everything is fine, if no then you may need to slow down slightly until you feel comfortable again.


Let us know how you get on

TT

__________________
In spite of the cost of living, it's still popular.

Bird in Boots

I'd go with the ipod too -type of songs do make a huge difference though, i notice how some songs sap your energy has taken me a while to get my playlist together -right here right now -fatboy slim is prob my fav. I really cant run without my ipod -i find myself focusing on my breathing which panics me. Turn the ipod up so i cant hear myself breathe and its better -apart from that i just try to 'zone out' put the discomfort out of my mind and try not to think too much -time seems to go quicker then. My Worse thing is checking down on the treadmill display at the distance time moves so slowly if you do that!

Hey, just to let you know TT, i did my ten mile run today, managed to keep those negative thoughts from developing and so i never felt bad the whole way round.


Absolutely shattered at the end though! But thats what i expected. I didn't take any music with me however, i'm gonna wait till ive got a bit more cash.

I had a great sense of achievement afterwards which i will still have all week probably!

Thanks for the support guys, 11miles next week! haha

J

Your thoughts are your own choice, but often how you feel physically may dictate that choice! So while many say make your mind lead your body, use positive thoughts to overcome weakness, it also makes sense to let your mind follow your body - get stronger and fitter so that you feel more confident. As a coach I prefer my athletes to feel they are physically well prepared and hence feel confident.
I do think, though, that how you control your thoughts while training and racing is important - have a look here
http://www.runflux.com/blog/2008/04/...-of-the-storm/
for some thoughts on the subject

__________________
runflux.com - your daily dose of running

Hi Jammidodgr

I have only just seen your response this must have slipped past me, that is great news well done, keep up your good work as like you say the sense of achievement is amazing.

__________________
In spite of the cost of living, it's still popular.

Bird in Boots

I totally struggle with negativity, but not necessarily about the running per se. If I'm feeling a bit down, or something is on my mind, it can really effect my running. But sometimes, a specific song on my ipod can totally change it around. It's bizarre how your mind can make a regular 6 mile run easy or extremely difficult. I find it best to try and empty my mind when I'm running and just get in tune with the beats on my ipod.

When i get this feeling i try to tell my self its the pain barrier. Once you go through it more and more you get used to that period of time when you feel like you're going to struggle and you look forward to getting through it and settling in to your rythm.

Try to balance it out with thoughts like "this is hard but hell i'm the one doing it and not just staying in doors" and imagine pushing through the pain barrier.