Go fishing: if you’re running on a track with other runners, focus on someone in front of you who you think you can catch.You can also do this with specific articles of clothing, houses, types of trees, etc. Then count how many cars you see with that specific color.

Counting cars: pick out a specific car color to look for during your run.

And what better than playing a game to keep your brain busy while your body does its work? Here are two examples: Taking your mind off your running and placing it elsewhere is a tried and very effective mental running trick. Having a buddy to run with can distract you from the mileage and give you the motivation you need to get through the hardest miles.

But doing it with a running buddy might be the solution for your boredom and lack of enthusiasm during longer distances. Most runners prefer to do their long runs by themselves. Picking a mantra, such as “You’re stronger than you think you are.” or “One step at a time” can also be your inner motivation when you need it most and will definitely help you stay focused and centered. Say to yourself things like, “I can do this!”, “I’m staying strong” or even “I’ll have some water in five minutes – that will make me feel better.” The person running next to you might think you’re crazy, but who cares? Giving yourself a pep talk can make the difference when you are struggling to keep going. One easy way to do it is by planning specific destinations into your route: 4 miles to the park, other 4 miles to the church and the last 4 will be logged on the route back to your house or starting point. For example, you might mentally break a 12 mile run into three 4-mile runs, a much more do-able and not so overwhelming distance. When you find yourself struggling during a longer run, try some of these mental tricks to help win the mental battle while running:Ī very effective mental running trick for longer training runs is splitting the distance into smaller mileage, so you don’t feel overwhelmed by thinking about how far it is to the finish.

Long-distance running can be as much a mental challenge as it is a physical test of strength and fitness. Even though all our training programs are designed to gradually increase the effort needed, long runs are always tough and exhausting. We know how hard it can be to stick to your training program.

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