As a new runner, how many times have you been a mile from home and completely lost your mojo…?

Whether you are a new to running or a seasoned marathoner, sometimes you need to do something to get you home and silence the mind chatter that is trying to convince you that you can’t possibly take one more step.

This week the tips are far from scientifically proven, they are just things I do to help make that last mile manageable, assuming of course that injury is not the cause of your pause!

1. I think about my dad, a very sporty man before being diagnosed with MS. His condition means he can barely walk, never mind run. I remind myself that I have the luxury of being able to run. That usually gives me the kick up the backside I need to stop feeling sorry for myself.

2. I choose a particular flower or colour of car and imagine that every time I pass that particular flower or car, it’s beaming energy to me. I picture the energy flowing in from my feet up, making my legs feel lighter.

3. I imagine that I’m just starting out on my run, picture myself leaving my front door full of energy and looking forward to my run and break into a big SMILE. Your mind doesn’t know the difference between the real and the imagined so you can fool it into believing that the previous miles didn’t exist!

4. I give myself permission to adopt a run/walk strategy. Often as runners we beat ourselves up for not running the WHOLE way. By relaxing this attitude, and say running for 2 mins, walking for a minute I’m home before I know it and the pace for the last mile is often surprisingly on a par with the one immediately before stopping. This strategy, known as “Jeffing” has worked well for me in completing marathons too.

What running tips do you rely on to get you to the finish line?

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Kelly

The outdoors beckons…

Despite theoretically having “more time” due to Lockdown, getting out the door for our daily activity can be more challenging than wrestling an X-box from a teenager during (ah-hem) home schooling hours!

Here are 6 tips to help you get out and get active…

• Put your daily activity in your calendar as a meeting, it IS a meeting - with yourself. And that hour in the fresh air is a sure-fire way of bringing your best-self back to the next webinar or to those you are sharing your physical space with.

• Set yourself mini-challenges over a week. For example, try to cover more distance in the 60 minutes suggested. You’ll be less inclined to miss a day!

• Connect with others (virtually) to share great routes that are less busy, scenic and enjoyable Perhaps set virtual challenges with your online pals too. Try Strava if you’re not already signed up. The free version is brilliant, find it in your app store, and no I’m not on commission!

• It might be raining but you probably have an umbrella or jacket! Get out anyway. Fresh air and an elevated heart rate WILL wake up those endorphins and you’ll be much more productive on your return.

• Put your running gear/walking shoes etc beside your toothbrush the night before, nothing like a visual reminder first thing in the morning to nag you into action!

• Keep track of the time of day that you feel LEAST energised for a few days and decide to set your activity time to coincide if possible. It’s better than falling asleep in yet another Zoom meeting!

As a new runner, how many times have you been a mile from home and completely lost your mojo…?

Whether you are a new to running or a seasoned marathoner, sometimes you need to do something to get you home and silence the mind chatter that is trying to convince you that you can’t possibly take one more step.

This week the tips are far from scientifically proven, they are just things I do to help make that last mile manageable, assuming of course that injury is not the cause of your pause!

1. I think about my dad, a very sporty man before being diagnosed with MS. His condition means he can barely walk, never mind run. I remind myself that I have the luxury of being able to run. That usually gives me the kick up the backside I need to stop feeling sorry for myself.

2. I choose a particular flower or colour of car and imagine that every time I pass that particular flower or car, it’s beaming energy to me. I picture the energy flowing in from my feet up, making my legs feel lighter.

3. I imagine that I’m just starting out on my run, picture myself leaving my front door full of energy and looking forward to my run and break into a big SMILE. Your mind doesn’t know the difference between the real and the imagined so you can fool it into believing that the previous miles didn’t exist!

4. I give myself permission to adopt a run/walk strategy. Often as runners we beat ourselves up for not running the WHOLE way. By relaxing this attitude, and say running for 2 mins, walking for a minute I’m home before I know it and the pace for the last mile is often surprisingly on a par with the one immediately before stopping. This strategy, known as “Jeffing” has worked well for me in completing marathons too.

These are the kind of tips I love to share during Active Coaching sessions.

What running tips do you rely on to get you to the finish line? Please share yours in the comments.