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The idea for this article came to me during a run. A run that could be referred to as struggle bus status. Around the first mile of a 5K run, all I wanted to do was stop running and walk the rest of the way. Enough of this intensity I thought, I would much rather be on a relaxing stroll right now. Even after running consistently for about 14 years and having at least 100 races under my belt, the desire to turn a run into a walk happens often. Maybe it’s because I love walking, maybe it’s because pushing through runs can be really tough or maybe it’s a little bit of both. As great as walking is, there’s no substitute for what running does for the mind, body, and spirit. During this run, I thought of how many times I’ve had to shift my mindset to stay the course. Here are 5 of my favorite mindset shifts that I’ve used over the years that have helped me go the distance.

Make a deposit so you can withdraw

Repeat to self, you must deposit in order to withdraw. Think of training like a bank. If you want to take money out of your bank account, you need to deposit it first. I heard this a long time ago in relation to running and although I can’t remember where I heard it, it has stuck with me since the day I did. By putting the effort into a run, future runs will not only be possible, but they’ll also be much better. It’s as simple and profound as that. You’ll be able to continue to build your fitness base because of what’s being done at this moment. If you have a race coming up, you can withdraw the strength needed on race day because of prior training. About to call it quits because you’re over it? But wait! You need to deposit now so you can withdraw later. This strategy can help you realize there are far more benefits if you take your foot off the brakes and keep the pedal to the medal.

Ease into it

Just ease into it. If you’re starting to feel like a run is mentally too taxing, make the conscious decision to ease into it. Don’t think of the run as a big undertaking where you need to be in soldier mode, see it as a journey to be enjoyed. Eaaaaseeee into it. This has really worked for me when I want to run long but my mind wasn’t operating in aggressive mode.

The benefits for your body are worth it

Regardless of how you mentally feel about the run, your body feels good about it. If laziness strikes or you can’t connect to a reason why you’re out there, remember the physical advantages you're gaining all from by putting one foot in front of the other. Some major benefits of running? It improves cardiovascular health, builds muscular strength, reduces the risk of chronic diseases, increases bone density, and burns calories. Don’t let your mind stop you from helping your body feel and function better.

Would you stop if you were in a race?

Alright, you mean business and it’s time to keep at it but you want to stop, so what do you do? It’s time to play a little pretend. This is for runners who run races and are out there training and want to throw in the towel. Ask yourself, would you stop if this were a race? Sure, there’s a little ego strategy involved here but it also helps you gauge if you really need to stop or not. Racing has a way of proving to you that your mind has held you back on prior runs. Act as if you’re in a race right there and then see if you’re able to tap into it if it's only a mental block, not a physical one.

Shift the energy

Nothing can shift the energy like a run can. And I mean, nothing! This has to be my favorite thing about running. If you’re desiring an overall shift in how things currently feel, going for a run has the power to accomplish that. Having an off day? Feeling blah? Want inspiration? Need a break from everything? Go for a run. It’s close to mystic how a certain degree of intensity for a certain amount of time can positively shift the energy. By the time you're finished, you’ll likely have a better outlook and be in a much better mood all because of a 30-minute run.

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