Encouragement Methods

[Tri Girl]

I like what you imagined today!!! Hey- whatever gets you through those tough spots is doing it's job!!!

I have mantras that I say when I need to focus and give myself encouragement. I say them over and over again until the words don't make sense (maybe I'm a little insane, but that's not news). They are situation specific. They're stupid, but they work for me.
When I do marathons (or long runs) and it gets tough I say "I own you 26.2- run fast run strong"
When riding up big (or long) hills I say "pedal, pedal, pedal, UP!"
When riding long (and sometimes boring miles) I say "time spent spinning is time spent winning"
When I'm racing I say "You're stong, you're fit, you'll win this race for you"
(disclaimer: I've never won anything except in my own mind, but telling myself I'll win boosts my esteem)

Dumb, but saying the same things over and over in different situations (I don't say one thing at another time- I'm weird like that) gives me focus and gets me through the tough spots.

(ok- after reading what I just wrote- it makes me sound a little weird...) Good thing you ladies don't know my real identity.

[Starfish]

Tri Girl, I will now make you feel totally normal.

Sometimes when I am on a long climb, I start getting a weird rhythm in my head with the words: I know I can do it...I know I can do it...

The weird part is the rhythm, kind of like the old conga lines in those 1950's musical movies with tropicana themes...like:

da-da, da-da, da...DA!

[Zen]

I don't think what happens in my head is going to help anyone.

I have two people in my head, me and Party Girl.
Party Girl says things like "c'mon, it's hot. lets go get a bag of chips and watch Dr.Phil"

I call her names and tell her to shut up.

[michelem]

These ideas are so cool! I used to play that little game of, "I'll just jog to that next post" or whatever, but that never worked because as soon as I'd get to the pre-ordained spot, I'd poop out. So, now I just tell myself things like finishing this run will improve my follow-through/commitment/persistance/etc. Knowing how good I'll feel that I didn't quit really motivates me to keep going.

[rocknrollgirl]

I spent all winter visualizing last Sunday's race, and I actaully called on that visualization during the race. Coming in on the finish line, I picked it up and said to myself...come on, you have done this finish a million times in training.

I often talk to my bike too, I know, I am a big weirdo, but Bob and Gidget my bikes, they listen.... Come On Gigdet...just help me get up this hill....

Sometimes I hear my DH, who helps me train...Attack, Attack, Attack...or reel 'em in, get up in your big chain ring and reel 'em in....

Sometimes I count down the hard sets and bargin with myself....

hmmmm, I think I need help.....

[Meg McKilty]

These ideas are so cool! I used to play that little game of, "I'll just jog to that next post" or whatever, but that never worked because as soon as I'd get to the pre-ordained spot, I'd poop out. So, now I just tell myself things like finishing this run will improve my follow-through/commitment/persistance/etc. Knowing how good I'll feel that I didn't quit really motivates me to keep going.

I do this all the time, as far as saying, "I can make it to the lamp post/mailbox/next driveway/fence/whatever" and play on my competitiveness (?) for go-drive. I'm like, "Oh my lungs don't hurt that badly, I can make it to the next [fill in the blank]... oh, you can make it farther than that/this!"

[HillSlugger]

I don't think what happens in my head is going to help anyone.

I have two people in my head, me and Party Girl.
Party Girl says things like "c'mon, it's hot. lets go get a bag of chips and watch Dr.Phil"

I call her names and tell her to shut up.

I think you win the award for weird

It doesn't seem to matter if I'm swimming, biking, or running, I'll hear Dory from "Finding Nemo": "Keep swimming, swimming, swimming...Keep swimming, swimming, swimming...". However, on long, bad hills, when I think I can't give it any more, in time with my pedaling: "f*ck, f*ck, f*ck..."

[Zen]

Oh, and

I think you win the award for weird
....."

Thank you, I graciously accept your award.
I'll put with all the others

[HappyAnika]

So the whole reason I started cycling was to improve my hiking. Little did I know that cycling would soon consume my life and leave very little time for hiking. However, when I'm climbing a hill (on my bike) and I want to stop but the goal is to not stop, I picture myself getting to the top of a mountain, which for me is somehow a huge motivator. I think its because growing up I was a couch potato and had never accomplished any great physical challenge. Hiking was the first thing I could "do". I couldn't play volleyball or tennis, or run, but I could hike to the top of 14,000 + ft. mountains. I have some strange inherent drive to get to the top of a mountain and picturing that helps me keep going on the bike.

Running is different, music is a HUGE motivator for me there. I have a playlist on my ipod of music for running that will keep me going. If I don't/can't have my ipod, I'm really good at "listening" to songs in my head. I also use a mantra here, "Stay strong, you can do this". Finally, I try to look to passers-by like I'm fresh and having a wonderful time. Even if I feel like crap, it helps to pretend I don't. Kind of like how forcing yourself to smile when you're sad is supposed to make you feel better.

[rocknrollgirl]

Running mantra.....
Light and fast, light and fast, light and fast......

[wildstreaktn]

TriGirl,
I am doing my first tri next week,I don't think I am going to drown anymore,I love the cycling,it is my true passion,and I suck at running.My mantra for running is "Pain is temporary,quitting is forever" and for some reason the tag line from the Power Station's version of "Bang a Gong" gets me thru the flats and imagining my legs as the pistons in a car engine helps on the hills.I hope this helps you

[quint41]

Regina! GREAT VIDEO!!! I rode a hilly route this morning and did my usual stare at the pavement right in front of my bike, not up ahead, in denial that I have much farther to climb, and silently swear the whole time.

Next time: "If that don't make your booty move ...."

THANKS!

[Starfish]

However, on long, bad hills, when I think I can't give it any more, in time with my pedaling: "f*ck, f*ck, f*ck..."

Oh! Thank you for the real laugh...I literally laughed out loud when I read this.

[HillSlugger]

Originally Posted by MDHillSlug View Post
However, on long, bad hills, when I think I can't give it any more, in time with my pedaling: "f*ck, f*ck, f*ck..."

Oh! Thank you for the real laugh...I literally laughed out loud when I read this.

I forgot to say that before I get to that point my mantra usually is "push it, push it, push it!"

[Starfish]

I forgot to say that before I get to that point my mantra usually is "push it, push it, push it!"

Sorry, MDHillSlug, the above might be a little higher-minded, but the next time I am hauling myself up some hill, it is going to be your other mantra that cracks me up and keeps me going!