mind games

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Learnings from the pain cave – ultra running and mindset

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Learnings from the pain cave – ultra running and mindset

It is inevitable and expected with endurance sport that at some point things will turn ugly. I’m using this in the context of ultramarathon events when I’ve been on my feet for over 6 hours and everything is becoming increasingly uncomfortable and both physical and mental fatigue are taking their toll. Also referred to as the pain cave. I’m no stranger to the pain cave. I’ve completed a number of tough ultra races on both road and trail. This hasn’t made it any easier as all races bring different experiences and thus one of the weird and wonderful reasons we keep coming back for more!

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Why CEO's find the time to run...

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Why CEO's find the time to run...

Have you seen those videos and pictures of Barack Obama playing basketball with friends and college players?  I remember looking at them and thinking A. Wow! He’s actually pretty decent and B. How the **** does he find the time to do that?!?!?  He’s the President of the United States!!  Not only that, but every morning when in Washington, Obama hits the gym between 7:30 and 8:30, alternating cardio days and weights days.* Impressive, right?

This last couple of weeks, I have noticed so many people talking about how little time they have to run.  It has brought back memories of a cringe-worthy conversation that I had with a CEO, when I lived in Belgium 6 years ago.  I was chatting to the CEO of one of the biggest hospital trusts in England about her running......

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A Year of endurance events helps Meagan ‘climb out of dark hole’

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A Year of endurance events helps Meagan ‘climb out of dark hole’

After several epic life challenges, Meagan set herself an inspiring goal of #8in18  – to compete in an event in every state and territory of Australia in 2018.   Here she shares what she learnt from the challenge and the final event - Ironman Busselton, Western Australia - and how she’s been keeping busy this year.

The reason #8in18 came about was that I fell into a world of depression and then anxiety, following a relationship breakup, a divorce and a number of health issues.  The only way I was going to climb out of that dark hole was by pulling myself out of it ... so I set the goal!! 

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The 80/20 of Running

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The 80/20 of Running

Even in my few short years coaching recreational runners to achieve their goals, you can start to pick out a few key themes and messages that are likely to stand the test of time and outlast whatever the latest, hilarious marketing trends of the week are.

One of those key messages is the importance of the mental side running, as opposed to the physical side.

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Why do we feel guilty for running?

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Why do we feel guilty for running?

Many conversations.  One common theme: Runners Guilt.

Yep, it’s a real thing.  People of all shapes and sizes feel guilty for running.  Whether you are a busy executive, a shift worker, a student, a stay at home parent or all of the above, runners guilt can stop you getting your running off the ground or keeping up your training routine.  

“Why do I feel so guilty when I go for a run?”

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What’s next?

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What’s next?

One of the most popular questions that we ask other runners is the question of, “what’s next?”

I’m going to be honest and declare that I have a love / hate relationship with this question.  This stems from the moment I finished my 17th and final marathon of 2017, after running races around Australia to raise money and awareness for the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute.  I had put myself through a lot physically and emotionally that year, particularly for that final marathon.  I was relieved and elated to be finished the running and fundraising challenge, but within 2 minutes of finishing, I was being asked, "what’s next?"  For some reason, it felt almost criminal to take anything away from that moment and from the sense of achievement, by simply moving on.  Don’t get me wrong, I already knew what was next for me, but for some reason I reacted against the assertion that there needed to be something next and that I couldn’t simply enjoy this particular moment for what it was. 

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The Last Mile: How to Stop Fading and Finish Your Runs Stronger

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The Last Mile: How to Stop Fading and Finish Your Runs Stronger

One of the key things that I try to instil into the runners that I coach, is to "finish strong.”  They are two simple words that may not seem like much when written into a training plan, but they make an enormous difference to how you run. 

To show you what I mean, take a second to think about the different feelings in these two scenarios…  

The mind games we play when getting back into running

The mind games we play when getting back into running

It’s 5:30 AM.  I roll over and think, “I can’t be bothered.”  

I’ve got a slight hangover after one too many wines last night, but I’m trying to get back into a routine of exercising regularly.  The battle rages in my slightly hazy head.  

"Do I get up and run, or do I stay here in bed and potentially feel guilty about it for the rest of the day?"  

No movement.  No movement in the rest of the house either.  Not even the dog wants to go out, and she probably needs to pee more than I do.  

"Why is this so difficult?  I hate feeling like this.  Just get up and go!  This was so easy 6 weeks ago!"

"Did I get my shoes and running gear together last night?…. No.  Eurgh.  It’s too difficult.  I’m going to leave it.  Oh come on…"

….and so the battle rages until I decide one way or the other.  To run or not to run, that is the question.

It’s a rubbish and emotionally exhausting way to start a day, but it’s the way that so many people start theirs.  Welcome to unstructured training and time off for the Type A runner!  After 6 months of solid training, dedication and commitment, with almost no morning procrastination, now is the time for rest and recharge, but like many runners after their big race, I feel like this.