Wednesday, October 6, 2010

A case of self-doubt

Confidence (or lack thereof) is a funny thing. I met up with the running group last night for a four mile run. I was running "easy" pace, but sometimes even that doesn't make the run seem easy. For some reason, that last mile was a real struggle.

With the struggle on that last mile, I started to doubt that I could run the prescribed seven this upcoming weekend. Then I began to seriously doubt that I'd be ready for the 10K at the end of the month.

Huh? Where did that come from?

I ran a 5K not less than two weeks ago. I ran a 10K long run this past weekend. I'm not injured. I'm not sick. I'm following my training plan. Why on earth wouldn't I be able to run seven miles this weekend or be ready for a 10K that's a little over three week away out?!

Looking at it rationally, that logic doesn't even make sense. I'm not sure why the self-doubt was so powerful during that last mile, but it's clear that I have some mental training to do over the next few weeks.

Dream it. Believe it. Then do it.

22 comments:

  1. Good day, bad day. I wish I knew why they occur but they do. You probably afraid of the seven because........... seven ate nine! I couldn't resist that.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I know how you feel. It is frustrating when you do a long run with no problem and then do a short run that ends up feeling harder than the long run. I'm sure it is 90% mental though.

    You'll do great!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This happens to me all the time. Sometimes it's because the day before I over did it. Other times, I'm just not hydrated or fueled properly. Sometimes I'm mentally frustrated or down. A lot of times, I just don't have an answer!

    ReplyDelete
  4. You are MORE than ready! Unless you plan on leaving a lung on the pavement, just go and run at a comfortable pace and enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  5. LMAO at Ken!

    7 is no sweat for you!

    ReplyDelete
  6. you need positive reinforcement and self talk. push the negativity out of your mind. The body will follow.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh Lord I too am laughing at Ken!!
    Ugh BTDT sometimes it feels so hard and sometimes it doesn't. Of course you can do it and you know that so mind over matter I guess. Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Feeling good or bad happens a lot to me - but I have been able to feel better by eating more (I know that seems stupid) - but when I feel energized when I start running I keep that feeling throughout the entire run.

    Also when I feel tired - I try a fartlek or sprint and then slow down - I do anything to wake up my body and get energized.

    ReplyDelete
  9. the mental side is such a bugger...I really struggle with it but am really trying to beat it back.
    ...and if you struggle just remember Ken's comment above.

    ReplyDelete
  10. You can, HAVE and will. :) GO get it girl. Believe in the awesome that is you!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Smack that self doubt out of your head. Positive thoughts only! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I hate the voices in my head. I usually imagine a door shutting on them...sometimes that seems to do the trick. You CAN do this.

    ReplyDelete
  13. ugg i know the feeling! sometimes you just have to shut that negative talk up and remember that you most definitely CAN!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Yuck. I hate that feeling! Power of positive thinking, girl! :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. We all have our bad days. I say shake this one off, do some positive visualization, and have faith in your ability to run those 7 miles this weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  16. i think some days are less about what our body can do and more about maybe a sluggish brain, overtired from work, etc

    ReplyDelete
  17. YES, THE MIND NEEDS TRAINING TOO! ---"Mental will is a muscle that needs exercise, just like muscles of the body. " - Lynn Jennings, 9-time champion of the USA Cross Country Championships

    ReplyDelete
  18. The mental aspect of running can be so tough. But, you know you can do it so you WILL!

    ReplyDelete
  19. why is it that self-doubt/beating ourselves up a little comes too naturally? glad you smacked yourself around a bit :) sure, it may not be a PR, but you can definitely do it!

    ReplyDelete
  20. We all have those moments of self doubt. The important thing is to push beyond those limits knowing you can do it because you put the training in

    ReplyDelete
  21. Think of it as character building. You are going to be fine...trust me:)

    ReplyDelete
  22. You’ll be fine! We all have these bad runs. I think it’s just our bodies adapting to the training we’ve done. It will pass and then you will be stronger.

    ReplyDelete