Are you a runner who is always looking for ways to stay motivated and stick with your running plan? Running can be a difficult task to commit to, but it doesn’t have to be.
With the right mental tricks, you can keep going even when it’s tough.
In this blog post, we’ll reveal some of the best strategies for staying on track in order to reach your running goals continuously.
From taking on the challenge to setting small goals, these mental running tips will help give you the motivation to succeed consistently.
So, if you’re ready, let’s dive into how you can use these mental tricks so that every time out feels like an accomplishment:
Related: How to start running again?
1. Take The Challenge
Taking the challenge is probably the best mental trick to keep yourself running for as long as possible.
Keep in mind as you put in the miles that training for a marathon is no simple feat. All people would engage in this activity if it were so easy, right?
Remember that you are taking on a task and that the challenges you encounter will make your success that much sweeter.
You can and should take your time if you’re tackling a long distance. In order to complete long distances, endurance is more important than speed; thus, you should reduce your pace if you find yourself struggling to keep running.
If your body is telling you to slow down, listen to it and do what it requires you to do. After you’ve calmed down and taken a deep breath, you can continue.
2. Focus On Breathing
Long-distance running requires careful attention to breathing. Breathwork is useful for ensuring that your muscles receive the oxygen they need when training for distance and endurance.
It’s a good idea to train while using a variety of breathing methods.
When jogging for long periods of time, it is recommended that you breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.
If you’re having difficulties keeping a steady breath, try slowing down and synchronizing your inhales and exhales with your foot strike.
3. Break Up The Run
The sheer number of miles you’ll be covering in your first ultramarathon can be intimidating.
Whether you’re running 5, 10, 20, or 30 miles, it’s helpful to think of the distance as a series of shorter runs. If you want to run 20 miles, it’s best to do so in segments of 5 miles each.
Keep in mind that you are, in fact, starting a new run each time you go for a jog. Simply pretend you have a new set of legs and concentrate on finishing the current section.
Breaking up the run should be on top when making a list of mental tricks for running better.
4. Use Your Ears
Using headphones while out for a long run is a great mental running strategy that can provide an additional aural boost.
Some official events prohibit using headphones or earbuds at any point during the race, but if you’re running for fun or improving your performance, allowing yourself to be distracted by your favorite tunes is a terrific idea.
The longer your run is, the more options you should have for entertainment.
Listen to a podcast for the first few kilometers of your warmup, then switch to music to get your heart rate up.
Perhaps you listen to music at a low volume for the duration of your run, then crank it up when you reach a plateau.
Whatever your tactic, lengthy runs are much improved by listening to music or other audio while wearing headphones.
5. Run Tall
As our energy levels drop, it’s only logical that our running form suffers. When we’re tired, our shoulders round, and we walk with a shuffle that’s bad for our bodies and can cause harm.
It will take some concentration, but when you feel yourself beginning to fatigue while jogging, try to force yourself to run with a tall posture.
Roll your shoulders back, tuck your tailbone in, and elongate your body. Your breathing will become more natural, and you’ll experience a noticeable reduction in effort whenever you run.
Run with appropriate posture, muscle, and form in mind by checking in every few minutes.
Running tall should be the answer if you are in search of some mental running mantras.
6. Look Elsewhere For Amusement
Keeping your mind off the run and on your form the whole time could be the key to clearing the obstacle.
Some people like to listen to their favorite music or podcast during a run. In other cases, all it takes is keeping track of how many steps you take in a minute.
If you worry about how much longer your run or race has left, divert yourself by listening to music or other entertainment.
Wrapping Up
While running may seem like a daunting task at times, there are plenty of mental tricks and approaches that can help keep you inspired and motivated.
Utilizing positive self-talk, focusing on your music or the scenery, setting smaller goals, visualizing your own success, and tracking your progress can be key components to sustaining a successful running routine.
Most importantly, give yourself grace when needed in order to foster a healthier relationship with exercise.
Taking everything into consideration, if adopted properly, each of these mental running tips and tricks will help propel you toward achieving all of your running dreams and aspirations.
