Encouragement Methods

[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......

[HeatherErin]

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

Oooh - I like that.

I'm still so new to all the training that everything sucks (most of the time). When I feel like quitting I'll stop thinking and focus on my body - how the muscles are moving, the air entering my lungs, etc. It helps me realize the benefit of what I'm doing, regardless of how far or how fast I go.

[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

[Tri Girl]

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

That's awesome! I'll have to try the Bang a Gong song next week at my first tri of the season. May be kinda fun!!!

I also love Brick House- nice one's ladies. I'll have to put those in the rotation!

[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!

[rocknrollgirl]

During my brick workout...a painful run....

She's a brick...house....she's mighty, mighty, just lettin' all hang out....

[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.