Believe it then achieve it
It’s been eight looong weeks since I’ve run anything over a 3k due to being injured and not wanting to overdo it. It has felt like an eternity since I‘d tread the trails, so today I decided to try my luck and make the most of the brief spells of sunshine between the showers.
I laced up the Hokas and started my playlist, but before I’d even left the house the self-doubt started to creep in. What if I have lost my mojo? What if I get half way then can’t go any further? What if I FAIL? My ego and fear of failure threatened to halt my run before I’d even started it.
A brief chat to Dann gave me some much needed perspective. “Just get out there and take it easy... be kind to yourself and be patient” were his encouraging words of advice. I took a deep breath and reflected on my ‘why’ for getting back to running. I remembered why I love running, the feeling of accomplishment I feel after a long run and why I have missed it so much. Most of all, I remembered that I run for the enjoyment of being in nature and I love the way it allows me to clear my mind. I decided to do some visualisation work (of finishing the run, naturally), get out there and see what happened.
A few minutes in, I was back to my old self and the self-doubt had slipped away. We are always told how powerful the mind is when used correctly and this was no exception. Next time you’re feeling the pre-training or race doubts creep in, remember that the biggest challenges that you need to overcome are in your mind. As my favourite quote says, ‘What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve’!
I laced up the Hokas and started my playlist, but before I’d even left the house the self-doubt started to creep in. What if I have lost my mojo? What if I get half way then can’t go any further? What if I FAIL? My ego and fear of failure threatened to halt my run before I’d even started it.
A brief chat to Dann gave me some much needed perspective. “Just get out there and take it easy... be kind to yourself and be patient” were his encouraging words of advice. I took a deep breath and reflected on my ‘why’ for getting back to running. I remembered why I love running, the feeling of accomplishment I feel after a long run and why I have missed it so much. Most of all, I remembered that I run for the enjoyment of being in nature and I love the way it allows me to clear my mind. I decided to do some visualisation work (of finishing the run, naturally), get out there and see what happened.
A few minutes in, I was back to my old self and the self-doubt had slipped away. We are always told how powerful the mind is when used correctly and this was no exception. Next time you’re feeling the pre-training or race doubts creep in, remember that the biggest challenges that you need to overcome are in your mind. As my favourite quote says, ‘What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve’!