Aug 25, 2024
Training Tips by Runzy Director of Coaching Joe McConkey
Misery Hates Company
Some days running is just a struggle. A struggle to put your shoes on, to get out the door, to put the miles in, or to push the pace. Some days the very notion of doing one or more of those actions seems...well... just miserable. If you are not prepared for these days you may not run, or run what you intended to, and that feeling of misery will win, and misery loves to win. It is always in the background, quietly waiting, ready to strike the moment it finds a weakness.
Building an armor that can better defend itself against misery's 'attacks' requires well-developed mental and physical tools. These tools are typically sharpened over years of experience, and in response to missed runs, slower than intended runs, shortened runs and other forms of misery's victories. These tools might include:
- Putting your shoes and running clothes at the side of the bed the night before
- Scheduling your run on your calendar well in advance
- Accept the challenge of the day based on how you feel, not what your expectations were
- Finding mental strategies, while running, to distract yourself (e.g. mantras, counting exhales, focusing on mechanics, etc)
The most durable and reliable foe to misery, however, is often running with someone else. Once you are running with someone right next to you, in front of you, or chasing you from behind, your close link to misery can be immediately severed. You are simply not as sensitive to the effort and the mindset reverts to a more basic setting – i.e. stay with the herd. In addition, with a regular scheduled run with a running partner, small group, or running club the very act of putting your running shoes is less of a choice and more of a given.
So, slay misery and find someone to run with. Not only will running be easier and more fun, but if things get competitive, you may find there is more in you than you think.
