I am a Runner: Overcoming Mental Barriers

I am a Runner: Overcoming Mental Barriers

Despite having told myself for 30+ years that I am not a runner, I am now a runner. Two incidents drew me to this conclusion in the last week. I read a blog posting from local Dallas triathlete Liz Raz titled I'm not a runner. The title got me excited. I was about to empathize with Liz as the old Lisa was not a runner. "I know how you feel Liz", I thought. Grueling miles on the pavement does nothing to excite me. Alas, Liz's article started "I'm not a runner I'm a triathlete". Up until one year ago Liz had been a runner, but in the short space of 12 months she has transformed into a triathlete.

Her article got me thinking about perspective. Maybe I could use a slight perspective shift.

Later in the week Eric and I ran along White Rock Lake. I am training for my first half marathon and had to get in seven miles before work. 13.1 miles is a long way for me as the old Lisa was not a runner. I alluded to this during the run and Eric said, "I am not a swimmer, yet look how my swimming has improved and think how I am now competitive in the water." I had to agree with him, just read what happened in the last swim cap challenge for proof. Eric used to struggle through every swim workout, he dreaded going to the pool. Yet now he owns a t-shirt that says Toadally Swimming. He can identify as a swimmer.

I need to break through this mental barrier that I've created. I've walled in my inner runner and it's time for her to escape. The mind is a powerful tool and much has been documented on the power of positive thinking and visualization, whether relating to sports, your career, or life in general. My mind had built this barrier, and only my mind can break it down.

Lori Bestler of MindScapes UnLimited offers the following tips to harness your mind's power:

1.Practice negative thought-stopping. Stop negative thoughts from infiltrating your beliefs immediately. Refuse to replay negative situations or self criticizing thoughts in your mind. If you starve a thought by not feeding it, or giving it any of your attention, it will cease to rule your perceptions.

2.Practice positive self-talk. Be kind and encouraging to yourself. Pessimism can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. That is, if you think your presentation isn't going to go well, you may indeed stumble through it. One negative thought can lead to another, and soon you've created a mental avalanche. Try telling yourself things such as, "I am in control, I can handle this situation." Be positive. Always expect the best.

3.Open your mind. Try looking at your situation from a new reference point. Instead of feeling frustrated that you are home with a sick child, look at it as an opportunity to bond, relax and finish a load of laundry. "I can make good out of any situation. I focus on solutions, not problems".

Motez Robinson Jr writes of using visualization techniques to improve sports performance. Athletes from Arthur Ashe to Tiger Woods have cited visualization as a tool that helps them reach their potential. If it's good enough for Tiger then it's good enough for me. The old Lisa may not have been a runner, but you should check out the new Lisa. She's been running for years. She can swim, then bike, and after all that, she runs.

I am a runner.

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