It's all mental

[busymama77]

When I've been running lately - on the days when I'm running straight through on the treadmill and not doing intervals - my mental focus is all over the place and I just want to stop, but my body seems to want to keep going.

How do you get past this? I'm training for a 5k in October. I enjoy running but am afraid that come race day, I'll be nervous wreck about finishing the race - if I'll be capable of doing it.

[bec]

This is why I have such a hard time with the treadmill! It is so hard to keep my head in the game. Now, being outside, or even on the track is awesome. I am able to reach my zone and feel like I can keep going forever. Is there anyway you can run outside?

[HappilyEvrAfter]

Do you use headphones?

Maybe an audio book, music list (timed to a run with the right beat pace that you can also play during the race to keep you going), television (for the treadmill run)?

Music is the only thing that does it for me.

Television during the treadmill is a nice distractor, but I get way too engrossed and lose my stride.

[busymama77]

I do have a TV right in front of me but I go back and forth between that and the wall. I just sold my Ipod. But yes, I am able to run outside. Especially now that it's cooled off quite a bit where I live. Maybe I'll give that a try next week. There are nice trails out where we live now - some off road and some paved.

[bec]

I will run outside over the treadmill each and every time! The only time that I will willingly run on the treadmill is when I have to do speedwork (I tend to hold back if I don't have something external forcing the pace).

[busymama77]

Originally Posted by bec

I will run outside over the treadmill each and every time! The only time that I will willingly run on the treadmill is when I have to do speedwork (I tend to hold back if I don't have something external forcing the pace).

I'm gonna borrow DH's Ipod next week and give it a go outside. The fresh air will do me some good physically and mentally.