Encouragement Methods

[Meg McKilty]

So, today, I was running my area and I have this giant, slow graded hill to climb. I started imagining of my neighbors coming out of their houses and screaming, "Go Go Go!! Beat this hill!" and the likes for encouragement. I have never had this fantasy before, but I have talked to myself before, such as, "You can make it up this hill; you've done it a million times before", etc.

What do yous guys do to encourage yourselves on tough parts of the workout? I need new things to keep me going.

[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.....

[Tri Girl]

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!

HILARIOUS!!!! Now I'll have the conga line song in my head. Hey- I just found my newest mantra to add to the gang... Never thought of putting them to music before!

[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..."

[7rider]

What do yous guys do to encourage yourselves on tough parts of the workout? I need new things to keep me going.

Okay, so I don't do tri's. I can't run to save my life.
But when climbing a hill on my bike, I think of this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHJEr...elated&search=
And chant "If that don't make your booty move, your booty must be dead!"
(you gotta watch)

[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!"

[northstar]

I do some writing and have taken a few writing classes where we are supposed to name our censor (the voice in our head that tells us we suck) and then we fantasize about ways to take the censor out. Like turning them into frogs or dropping pianos on them...ok, I'm weird, but it helps. Perhaps I need to name the voice in my head that shames me for being in worse shape than I'd like to be...and then have fun torturing that being... mine shows up mostly on runs (because I'm a beginner) or on hills...

[Meg McKilty]

Double post, +1

I also listen to my iPod and try to stay in step with my 80's music! It's great step-by-step music. Good beats and great tunes.

[Zen]

...when climbing a hill on my bike, I think of this video:

Party Girl says she can groove to some Fat Boy Slim

[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.