Mind games

[lph]

Ok, so we've had the occasional thread on what you tell yourself, or sing to yourself, or swear to yourself to keep you going on a long ride. I'm interested if you have any other neat ideas that help you train well, or get rid of bad mindsets. I remember reading that someone here ran a marathon (?) picturing that certain objects she saw on the way were like batteries, that she could siphon energy from. Very neat :)

I've signes up for a sprint tri (my first, eek!) this August, so I've been adding running and swimming to my workouts. I'm not much of a runner or swimmer, so the flow and ease I feel while cycling just isn't there, and I have to concentrate a lot more, both on technique and plain hanging in there until I'm done. I've found out what doesn't work is thoughts that make me focus on the end of the session, like looking at the clock and thinking "just 10 more minutes!", or thinking of what I'll do afterwards. What does work are thoughts that make me feel more happy with doing what I'm already doing, and have to continue doing.

I once read that my favourite female athlete, XC skier Marit Bjørgen, got help from a psychologist to pick an animal to symbolize her as an athlete, and picked a tiger. She's said that the idea gives her qualities to focus on when performing, like strength, power, patience. I stole the idea to help me when swimming. I tend to freak out a little when I get out of breath, but when I swim I'm an otter, because otters are playful, and love the water, and can swim fast and are good hunters :) If there are a lot of other people in the pool I can get stressed, but - then we're a whole group of otters, hunting together :rolleyes: (No, I have no idea if otters hunt in groups ;) )

I'm trying to learn freestyle, but so far I just do a few drills with a pullbuoy. Then I use the idea of the tiger, loping through the woods with powerful, rolling shoulders.

Running I will do anything that will distract me from just running straight ahead. If there's a bench there I'll run via the seat, I often run along a low stone wall and will run along the top of it, which forces me to concentrate a little on balance. I need some ideas to give me "oomph" for running on pavement, though, after cycling running feels sooo slow. In the woods I can pretend to be an antilope or something, but when I'm running to work on the same path I used to bike, with bike commuters whizzing by, it's hard not feel like you're going nowhere.

So, what are your mind games?

[jessmarimba]

Not really a mind game. But I'm one of those people who will get one or two lines from a song stuck in my head while I run. I tell myself that the sooner I finish, the sooner I can hear the rest of it and "un-stick" the only part I can remember. It can be pretty good motivation not to walk when the song is particularly annoying.

[OakLeaf]

I was the one with the battery, but I'm going to save that for racing. :)

Sometimes I visualize Pac-Man when I'm running intervals. Wakka-wakka-wakka-wakka, scoop up a power-up. Sometimes I'll visualize a flaming ball of energy at my crown and/or center.

Running, vary your route so you have different things to look at. On the path that you cycle on, notice little details that go by too quickly when you're on the bike. It's always amazing to me that the same route can look completely different on foot, on the bike, and in the car. (Also on the motorcycle, which is extra interesting, considering the speed is usually pretty similar to car speed - you just notice different things.) I can't focus exclusively on form, but I like to be in my body a lot when I run, which is quite a bit of engagement.

[goldfinch]

On the bike I listen for birds and make sure that I can identify their calls. Sometimes I call back. Teacher! Teacher! Teacher! Says the oven bird. :) I moo to cows. Think bad thoughts about starlings.

It drives me a bit nuts if I hear something though that I can't id and have no binoculars to check it out, but I roll on, waiting for the next bird.

[lph]

Ooh, I like the pacman one. Will try. The earbug one is pretty funny too :p

I run with music and can't hear any birds (not that I could where I run anyway), but just paying closer attention to little details is a nice idea.

[malkin]

Don't run anymore, but when I did and was really tired I used to just count 1-2-3. I like how the 1s happen on alternate feet.

[goride]

I am not running right now, but when I ran, I did a variation on the counting - I would try to predict where on the course I would be in 100 steps, then count out the steps. I usually didn't have to do that more than once or twice to get my rhythm going again. It wasn't important if I guessed right or not. It was really about the counting and re-establishing the rhythm. Have fun with your tri.

[Miranda]

Good for you on branching out!

I wish I could too. But my medical body stuff says no.

Well, what little I did run years ago I tried to focus on the sound. Guess the same with swimming. And I do this also on my bike.

With the bike it's the steady hum of the cranks turning, and the chain in the cogs. It's like being a well oiled machine. You and bike. One beast.

With running I would focus on my feet striking the ground and the sound of debris crushing underneath it. And my breathing. Everything smooth and rhthymic.

Swimming, same. My steady breathing. And the graceful swooshing sound/movement of my limbs in the water.

I think music really helps if you can do it safely. With the bike I gave up my one loan ear bud. And I do miss it.

I think the sights are a big help too. The longer you run your route you will begin to notice the routine of what happens.

And yes, I agree with you... the clock of how many minutes is left is the worst for motivation... amazing how long a minute can be sometimes lol.:rolleyes:

Good Luck!

:)

EDIT ADD:

And more so directly answering the post title... "mind games"... it's funny, rhythmic exercise, like cycling, is about the only time my mind completely shuts off... it's a really wonderful thing.

Funny, I tried to do yoga once and kinda hated it. The being still physically and woo-ing zen to come to me was just not working for me. But turn it around and put things into steady motion first... the universe is at peace.

[roo4]

Funny, I tried to do yoga once and kinda hated it. The being still physically and woo-ing zen to come to me was just not working for me. But turn it around and put things into steady motion first... the universe is at peace.

I took a yoga class once. The instructor told us to "disconnect from your mind, allow yourself to float freely without your brain..." No way. I need my brain! Then I started thinking about whether the eye-cushions had been cleaned recently. Then I started thinking about pink eye. Not a resounding success.

[GLC1968]

When running, I find that doing what Oak suggested and being really observant helps pass the time. Sometimes I'm analyzing what others are wearing (if there are others to look at), other times, I like to look at houses and gardens and admire things and get ideas for our own place. I purposefully don't run with music because I like to be able to hear things and notice them (since on a bike, there is too much wind to hear the soft stuff), like birds or whatever. I also enjoy noticing and trying to identify smells (I do this on the bike, too).

I also sometimes use the time to work over a problem in my head (again, it helps to not have music playing). This was more common when I used to run after work - it helped me put the day in order and behind me, actually.

Or, you could just run from zombies:
http://www.zombiesrungame.com/

[Tri Girl]

Or, you could just run from zombies:
http://www.zombiesrungame.com/

OK- so that's pretty funny and quite unique. ;)
I just don't know if I could listen to that the whole time I'm running. Can you imagine a 10 mile run with that in your ear. ahhhhhhh

[OakLeaf]

My sister does the Zombies Run thing. She's been doing it pretty much ever since it came out, so it must be engaging.

[Antaresia]

On the bike I listen for birds and make sure that I can identify their calls.

Me too! I pay a lot of attention to the birds, always have. Once on my way home, I could NOT identify this flock of constant squawkers. Bugged the heck out of me for a week - but one day I saw a guy with a telescope pointed at them. He told me in a very annoyed tone of voice that they were Caspian Terns. Yeay!

And then there was this other time were I heard a crow squawking his head off, so of course I had to see what he was up too. He dive bombs this poor girl, she looks around confused, and sees me laughing at her. This girl probably thought I threw something at her, and now has a really low opinion of cyclists.

[lph]

I took a yoga class once. The instructor told us to "disconnect from your mind, allow yourself to float freely without your brain..." No way. I need my brain! Then I started thinking about whether the eye-cushions had been cleaned recently. Then I started thinking about pink eye. Not a resounding success.

bwaa-haa-haaa :D I wasn't very good at yoga either. But I can zone out on kayaking like I was born to it.

[malkin]

I took a yoga class once. The instructor told us to "disconnect from your mind, allow yourself to float freely without your brain..." No way. I need my brain! Then I started thinking about whether the eye-cushions had been cleaned recently. Then I started thinking about pink eye. Not a resounding success.

One time at massage, face down on the table with my face 'in the hole' my nose plugged up completely, so I had to breathe through my mouth and ended up drooling on the floor. Not exactly relaxing.

[lph]

I got a new one today! Went for a long run (10 miles, outrageously long for me) in the woods. It's been raining heavily, and I passed some beautiful small streams with water that lovely amber colour. Made me smile every time, and then I thought "hey, something that makes me smile = energy". So I ran looking for things I like especially, briar roses, daisies, streams, a friendly passing dog :) Every one was a tiny boost.

[jessmarimba]

Smiling is actually a great trick. When you feel miserable, force yourself to smile - lots of studies on how your expression can affect your mood.

[AppleTree]

I got a new one today! Went for a long run (10 miles, outrageously long for me) in the woods. It's been raining heavily, and I passed some beautiful small streams with water that lovely amber colour. Made me smile every time, and then I thought "hey, something that makes me smile = energy". So I ran looking for things I like especially, briar roses, daisies, streams, a friendly passing dog :) Every one was a tiny boost.

This.... :)

Great post!