When the going gets tough, the tough say things. I talk and sing to myself a lot on the trail. I sing when I'm in a good place (and also when I'm spooked), and talk to myself when I'm in a low place. There are a couple of mantras that I use, some original and others lifted from various people and books depending on where I am mentally and physically. Feel free to use them or create your own to help you through a tough race or training run.
If you do have any original mantras, please share in the comments. Let's spread the joy, and pain...
STEP OVER STEP
This one comes from one of the books my son loved for me to read to him when he was a bit younger. It's from the somewhat disturbing fairy tale, Tikki Tikki Tembo. In it, an old man helps a boy save his brother from drowning in a well. They have a long journey ahead of them and the wise old man says "Step over step, step over step" to help the boy to keep moving forward.
RELENTLESS FORWARD PROGRESS
This is actually the title of a staple of ultra running by Bryon Powell, Although I love the book, its infinite wisdom, and awesome training plans, the title is all you really need. Repeating this phrase over and over, in my mind and out loud has helped me through many a low point in a race or long training run. Sometimes the phrase runs through my head while I'm at work, and I LOVE my job.
THEY'RE JUST MILES
Because really, that's all they are. Miles. I don't know how or why I started saying this to myself, but it is so completely comforting and reassuring. Repeating this phrase is akin to having a conversation with my mom after a stressful day. It puts things into perspective.
THE BODY IS ABLE
Because in most cases, it is. This is thetruth.com. Whether or not the mind is willing is another thing.
GET IT DONE, MIRNA. JUST GET IT DONE.
This is me being a teacher and coach to myself. Do the work. Get it done. Because there really is no other option. There have been times when I have not finished doing all the work for various reasons: I knew that my race was over, the race director said that my race was over, or that if I pressed on there would be long-lasting physical consequences, like not being able to drive myself home or function the next day. Otherwise, I get it done.
And my newest, most FAVORITE one:
I AM LIVING THE DREAM!
This one came to me as I was having a moment during the Georgia Jewel 35 Miler. I was wet, tired, extremely hungry and DONE.But then when the moment came that I questioned why I was doing this to myself, voluntarily, I stopped and gained some perspective. There are people who don't get to spend inordinate amounts of time moving their bodies in the way they want or need to. There are people who are so disenchanted with their lives that they are stuck physically and emotionally. At this point in my life, I am grateful to not be experiencing any of those things. I am grateful to be living the dream.
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Because sometimes you feel like this. (I took this picture right after I I think I was still repeating mantras even after I was done. |
STEP OVER STEP
This one comes from one of the books my son loved for me to read to him when he was a bit younger. It's from the somewhat disturbing fairy tale, Tikki Tikki Tembo. In it, an old man helps a boy save his brother from drowning in a well. They have a long journey ahead of them and the wise old man says "Step over step, step over step" to help the boy to keep moving forward.
RELENTLESS FORWARD PROGRESS
This is actually the title of a staple of ultra running by Bryon Powell, Although I love the book, its infinite wisdom, and awesome training plans, the title is all you really need. Repeating this phrase over and over, in my mind and out loud has helped me through many a low point in a race or long training run. Sometimes the phrase runs through my head while I'm at work, and I LOVE my job.
THEY'RE JUST MILES
Because really, that's all they are. Miles. I don't know how or why I started saying this to myself, but it is so completely comforting and reassuring. Repeating this phrase is akin to having a conversation with my mom after a stressful day. It puts things into perspective.
THE BODY IS ABLE
Because in most cases, it is. This is thetruth.com. Whether or not the mind is willing is another thing.
GET IT DONE, MIRNA. JUST GET IT DONE.
This is me being a teacher and coach to myself. Do the work. Get it done. Because there really is no other option. There have been times when I have not finished doing all the work for various reasons: I knew that my race was over, the race director said that my race was over, or that if I pressed on there would be long-lasting physical consequences, like not being able to drive myself home or function the next day. Otherwise, I get it done.
And my newest, most FAVORITE one:
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| Penultimate day of difficult, all-uphill backpacking in Brevard, North Carolina. |
This one came to me as I was having a moment during the Georgia Jewel 35 Miler. I was wet, tired, extremely hungry and DONE.But then when the moment came that I questioned why I was doing this to myself, voluntarily, I stopped and gained some perspective. There are people who don't get to spend inordinate amounts of time moving their bodies in the way they want or need to. There are people who are so disenchanted with their lives that they are stuck physically and emotionally. At this point in my life, I am grateful to not be experiencing any of those things. I am grateful to be living the dream.
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