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JOIN NOWWhat do you think about when you run? Do you remember your stream of thought and where it went? When it comes to thinking on the run, runners tend to consciously or subconsciously adopt one of two processes:
ASSOCIATION – which, most simplistically put, means ‘tuning in’ – or DISSOCIATION – ‘tuning out’.
Focussing on the task in hand (tuning in).
There are two main types of associative thinking:
Letting one’s thoughts wander, consciously or subconsciously distracting oneself (tuning out).
Similarly, there are two main types of dissociative thinking when running:
Generally, sports psychologists tend to say that an associative thinking strategy works best for racing and competition, especially over the shorter distances:
“You'll run better if you associate," says Cathleen Connolly, Ph.D., a sports psychology consultant at the University of Central Florida. "When you're associating, you're focusing on task-relevant things. When you're in tune with your body, you tend to run with better form, have better arm swing, maintain pace – things that can allow you to run stronger.”
–Runner's World, August 2007
Doing a tempo run of five to ten kilometres and really concentrating on your stride, breathing, cadence and split times without letting your mind wander is often a tougher mental challenge than one might think and something that needs to be practised mentally as well as physically, but can yield faster times.
“In long distance events, the importance of your mental state in determining the outcome of a race can’t be overestimated.”
– Paula Radcliffe
Personally, for longer distances I tend to employ both strategies. I find that my mind naturally drifts back and forth between the two. At those points along the way when running gets tough and uncomfortable and I can feel my body tensing up, I tend to be less relaxed, which can have a big impact on my performance. Using dissociative thinking strategies to focus on outside stimuli can combat that tension, kind of putting one’s mind somewhere else creating a temporary distraction from discomfort. It is, however, good to associate periodically – checking back in with yourself to monitor your form and how you are feeling in order to keep focussed on your goals.
When running a long or challenging distance it is important to keep the mind strong and positive. When the mind gives up on the task in hand the body often feels overwhelmed and follows suit. The mind, therefore, needs to be safeguarded – just because you feel on top of the world at the start line doesn’t mean there won’t be mental dips to battle with later on in the run. Incorporating a thinking strategy that keeps the mind positive and empowered and the body relaxed will get you there.
A cheerful mind
Has always been a perfect guide
To a healthy body.
– Sri Chinmoy
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