Running Mantras

August 12, 2014 Faux Runner Comments 13 comments

“A statement or slogan repeated frequently to aid concentration.” That would be my definition of running mantras.

It is not enough to train your body to run through those miles, the mind also needs to be trained to lead the body. There a huge difference, for me atleast, in the way I deal with my body and mind. Unless I am in pain or I am running on low sleep reserves, my body does what I tell it to do.

My mind, on the other hand – it has a mind of its own! And that rouge mind is what needs to be calmed and controlled and brought to focus at the task on hand.

Once I decide to do something, I don’t have trouble motivating myself to start. If starting is my trouble – then I probably don’t really want to do it and need to revisit my goal.

It is the long and sometimes alone journey between the start and the finish that plays havoc with me. Me, myself and my head get together for a rather dangerous combination. All my fears, insecurities and emotions rear up when I’m out on a long run.

While I use a lot of motivational words, some mantras that I am sharing are special. They were coined over a particular situation or they resonate with me over something personal. But most importantly, they are action words. Something for me to hang on to and do without having to think or expend energy at that moment.

Favorite Mantras for Running and Everyday Life

Click To Tweet

Strong, Smooth and Smile

A Mantra for my Body.

One of my first and most reliable mantras and more of an action than words is borrowed from Jeff Galloway’s Marathon training book. The difference here is to practice when the mantra is NOT needed. Everytime I run smooth and strong, I tell myself “Strong, Smooth and Smile” as a positive reinforcement. So when I am flagging in the tough miles during the race, I am able to call back to the words and my body immediately readjusts to the action of running smooth and strong.

This is my physical mantra – a sort of reminder to keep smooth running form and smile and not make it harder than it already is.

When the going gets tough, the Tough get going

A Mantra for the Everyday Mind.

Oh, the number of times I have read this in newspapers and magazines about my favorite cricketer, Steve Waugh! He was a great Australian Captain and a very solid batsman, but was even better at his mental game. The team of more talented players would be crumbling around him but he would dig in, blocking out all the what-ifs. As a young impressionable school girl, I wanted to be like Steve Waugh and this mantra has always been my takeaway.

Life and endurance events is not a walk in the park all the time. Things get tough. That’s when you need to dig deep to find your toughness.

This is a mental reminder for me when I want to give up. It conjures up not just the toughness I need to find within myself, but also childhood silliness and giggling and smiles.

Just Keep Moving

A Mantra when I’ve exhausted everything else.

Usually sung to the cute (at first) and super annoying (try singing this over and over and over and ….) tune of Just Keep Swimming from Finding Nemo.

A simple mantra that is just as powerful as it is simple.

When life overwhelms me, when a race humbles me, when all I want to do is huddle down in a corner, a small reminder of Just Keep Moving does wonders. Don’t ever let your body or mind stagnate.

The nerd in me loves how this correlates to Newton’s First Law. Body at rest will remain at rest, and a body in motion will remain in motion with a constant velocity, unless acted upon by a force. So if I don’t let any negative mental force act on me, I will be in perpetual motion towards that goal line.

Why not SIUP (Suck it Up Princess) or something similar that is hard hitting? While tough love might work for some, when I am in this overwhelmed state anything close to (perceived) insensitivity will make me punch someone. The gentle coaxing of baby steps, just one step, etc, has a much better chance with me because even though it is a direct action order, it also acknowledges my state of mind. I am allowed to feel like crud, but I am also expected to move beyond that crudiness.

#DYJ

A Mantra for day-in-day-out of training.

This recent addition thanks to TriCoachGeorgia, has become a steady favorite with me. At my low points, my biggest question is why/how and the doubt that accompanies it. How is this going to impact me? Am I really going to be faster? Will I ever be able to complete goal X? Why do I care so much about goal Y? So many questions taking energy away from focusing on the task at hand.

The simple answer – Do Your Job.

Pick your goal, work towards it and do whatever it is that you are supposed to do, never give up on moving towards the goal – it all comes together on race day. There will be results as long as you do your job.

Just Do It

At the end of the day, nobody is forcing me to run or tri or cross fit or anything. I do them because *I* want to do them. Don’t I then owe it to myself to give it my best shot?

Just go for it, do it. What’s stopping me?