Articles
Relax
No
matter what your goal is that you wish to achieve in your
running it will be without doubt that on the day of the event
you will be extending yourself over and above anything that you
have done prior.
This
day being the time when it all comes together and also the day
when maybe you may endure a certain amount of fatigue and
discomfort as you place your body under stress (I don't like
that word but I guess that's what happens).
So
how do you control this stress and not let it beat you?
I
refer to the ability to disassociate yourself with what you are
doing but at the same time staying in control. Easier said than
done I know, but this is a skill which you can work on in your
training.
Next
time you run fast and your breathing becomes irregular try and
control it, even slow down the puffs if you can. Think of
the word RELAX; even say it out loud a few times.
What
you are trying to do is to stay in control and not tense up.
Once you are in control keep the pace going and try and take
yourself slightly away, maybe take in the scenery or focus on a
runner that may be in front of you.
Think of your legs as being steel pistons which are going up and
down in perfect rhythm, disassociate yourself so that you are
not totally consumed with the internal stuff that is happening
in your body, take yourself outside whilst still maintaining
control of what is happening inside.
In
your event take on this approach right from the start and not
just when you get in trouble. I liken it almost to a
meditated state where your mind is in control from start to
finish.
Pat
Carroll
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