Do You Have a Running Mantra?
Thursday May 21, 2009
Whenever I hit a rough patch during a race, I try to use one of my running mantras to clear my head and focus on the task at hand. A running mantra can be any short, motivational phrase that you repeat in your head while running. It can be a line from a song, an inspiring quote, or just a couple of words that motivate you, such as "One step at a time". One that I like to use is, "Feeling stronger, getting faster." It's just a few simple words, but it somehow motivates me to dig deeper and keep going.
I also like to use running mantras at the end of a hard run or race, when I know approximately how much longer I'll be running. I'll tell myself, "Just ten more minutes. Just ten more minutes. Just nine more minutes" and so on. Doing a mental countdown in my head calms me down and distracts me from any pain I might be feeling.
Do you have a running mantra? What goes through your mind when you're running? How do you get through a mentally tough run? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
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I try to “disappear” into God, so to speak. I am less conscious of myself and my own pain when I lose myself in this way.
By the way, Christine, I really enjoy your posts.
I always tell myself “heart of steel” when it gets harder through the run.
mine is “Smooth and strong all day long.”
when pain starts appearing i just ask myself, “what is “pain”?” and i answer by saying “pain is nothing, it doesn’t exist, i cannot feel it.” and so on…
I just started using this one;
“Pain is inevitable. Suffering is not.”
I find myself repeating “winners never quit, quitters never win” when the going gets tough
My bck-up mantra is “if it’s hurting, it’s working”. This really does help me get through some tough times as well
“I’m Healthy. I can! I’ve done it before. I’ll do it again!”
I keep telling myself:
“I am the wind. I am strong, light, fast”
I stress strong if i’m feeling any aches, light if I just want to be faster or not be so aware of my feet pounding the pavement. I feel it makes my step lighter.
i remind myself, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. He is the one who gets me through it all, including running.
I just imagine my legs as piston; failure is not an option