A confession and How to Train your Brain and for a big event...

I have a confession before I get into my post for today... I ran... 6kms.... And I also walked... 2kms. I said I wouldn't because of a niggle in my hip/groin area that I want to get better before doing too much running. I couldn't resist! Oops! Ok, confession over, thanks for listening. A problem shared is a problem halved and all that.

Not going to lie, today's challenge for blog Every Day in May is kinda lame...

Day 21, Tuesday: A list of links to your favorite posts in your archives

It's lame because all my posts are my favourites! Just kidding. Most of them are lame anyway. But what I have actually decided to do instead is link in some posts from my archives to the topic which I am talking about in this post. And the topic is How to Train your Mind...

Creepy picture that I got from here

I have done a few posts which you can find over here about mental and physical challenges that I have faced with my running, as well as challenges that arise from time to time when training for a long distance run (whatever distance that may be - for some it's 5km, for others it's 50km).

Did you know that negative thoughts take 15-20% of your physical strength away? Hence it is important to train your brain to have a stronger, faster, more positive race ever. source

So here are some great tips from, as per usual Runner's World, all about training your mind for the big event...

Mental toughness requires practise and consistency. Pair these tips with any training plan to get your mind and body in top racing shape.

1 Select a performance goal.
Decide what you want to achieve by the end of your training: a particular finish time, completing your first race, not walking mid-race.
2 ID your weaknesses.
Are you negative (you doubt your abilities and low-ball your goals)? Do you make mistakes you want to correct (going out too fast, losing focus)?
3 Set process goals.
These are the specific, measurable actions you do every week to help you reach your performance goal. Examples: do one speed session per week. Run a minimum of four days a week. Finish long runs (no shaving off kilometres).
4 Develop focus tools.
These are words and actions that help eliminate negativity, calm anxiety, build confidence, and keep your mind on task. Examples: mantras (strong, cruise, do it), focusing on your body (breath, footfalls) or environment (sunrise, mountains), visualisation (seeing yourself passing others), and positive self-talk (you’re doing fine, you can handle this). Use focus tools anytime you have negative thoughts, feel fatigue or anxiety, or catch yourself falling off pace.
5 Sync it up.
Train your brain as you train your body. In a diary, track your mileage and times as well as the self-talk and the mental-training tools employed.
6 Practise, practise, practise.
Repetition and consistency are key to building mental skills. Throughout your training, review and adjust (if necessary) your process goals. Recognise when a negative thought creeps in; refocus by applying your focus tool.
7 Reinforce process goals.
For example, if your weakness has been slowing at the end, finish the last 400 metres to three kilometres of every workout fast and write down what enabled you to do that.
8 Prep for race day.
During your taper, determine what you’ll wear and where you’ll park; look up the weather; learn where the water stations are. Completing these tasks reduces prerace anxiety.
9 Visualise executing your race plan.
Five minutes, every day while you taper. See yourself on the course, hitting your paces, taking in fuel, responding to challenges with your focus tool, and meeting your goal.
10 Stick with routine.
On race eve, have the same meal you had before long runs; race in the clothes and shoes you trained in. Routine offers a sense of control that calms nerves and boosts confidence.

Generally, people only train their body to prepare for a race. We neglect our mind and don't realize how important it is to have a strong mind to achieve our goals. That is why these are some great tips and things that I always will do.
I think all of these steps are sooo important, however the article talks a lot about self-talk and positivity. I know these can sound a bit lame (esp. the self-talk bizzo), but trust me, this is so necessary for success. I am not saying you need to chant out loud how great you are every time you are out running (no judgements if you actually do this though - whatever floats your boat!), but have positive mental thoughts and self-talk will really get you a long way in your training. See this post here for more info about what goes on in a runner's mind, or what should be going on.

So there are some links to some of my previous posts, and some great tips. Remember these tips when you are next considering training for a big event and they will definitely help you.

How do you train your mind for a big event? 

Anything you do that's not listed here? 

The Struggles of a Struggling Runner Girl

Day 20, Monday: Get real. Share something you're struggling with right now.

This is probably meaning emotional struggles, but I don't bother with stuff like that and since this is a Running blog, not an airy-fairy-share-your-emotions-and-I'll-share-mine blog, I thought I better talk about my running struggles.

After playing a whole game of hockey yesterday (70 mins) I am struggling with the fact that I have done something to some random muscle in my pelvis... Anyone know what this is? Suspecting it could be my illiopsoas... Never knew that existed before but thanks to a couple of friends who know their business, and Dr Google, I now do know! I have actually been feeling some twangs in there during my last few runs but tried to ignore it and after yesterday's game it just felt really bad. I suspect this is all down to growing and birthing a human, but I'm not a professional in this business so who really knows.

I am struggling with this as it means I may have to have a break from sports and running, which I never like at the best of times but especially when I am trying to get myself back to running fit and into marathon training mode... YIKES!!

Such a struggle but I KNOW the best thing to do when you have an injury is to look after it otherwise you will be out for even longer or do more damage. Not what I want. So for this week at least I will be stretching and strengthening and probably not much else.

What things do you struggle with regarding running?

Any random running injuries out there?  

Blog Every Day in May - my fave blogs...

Day 19, Sunday: Five of your favorite blogs and what you love about them

These are a handful of the blogs I love, but there are a tonne more that I love and read (and they are in no particular order or ranking).

True that - even if they don't realise it!

1. The very first blog I started to read after I had started my own... Skinny Runner, find her here. This blog is great because she has a good balance of posts about running, fitness and life in general. She is an amazing runner and has lots of great stories and advice about all things running. She inspires me. Thanks SR.
2. This lady over here at Hungry Runner Girl has an awesome blog. She is an amazingly talented running, aiming to run a 3 hour marathon in the very near future. She has a beautiful baby girl who is 9 months old and is a huge fan of living a healthy and fit life even as a mother. She is very inspirational and encouraging and has some fun posts about running and fitness, food, her bubba and her life. Go check her out!
3. I have mentioned this lady in other posts but Katy, over at Fit in Heels is one awesome blogger. She is a fitness instructor, she is a Mama, a blogger and just too funny for words. She gives you some food for thought regarding fitness and wellbeing and is well worth a read.
4. Hanna has a beautiful blog over at Bouffe e Bambini and she has become a daily favourite read for me. She is seriously beautiful and wonderful. She is real about life, crafty, stylish, fit and a wonderful Mama to her three gorgeous children. Her third bubba is the same age as my wee man too which is very cool. Have a read, I dare you!
5. This last blog, found here at Baking Makes Things Better is a wee bit different to the rest. It's actually my naughty blog. It's all about baking, which is one of my naughty hobbies. I love baking and this website has some awesome recipes as well as ideas for decorating, parties and the like. Super fun and oh so delicious recipes. Have a look if you like to bake and like a treat every now and then :)

That's about all for now, however I have a tonne of other awesome blogs that I follow. You can check them out over on my blog roll. They all have wonderful writers, great tips, advice, recipes and fun stories.

I hope you can go and check out some (or all) of these blogs here and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

What's your favourite blog?

Blog every day in May - A blast from the past

Day 18, Saturday: Tell a story from your childhood. Dig deep and try to be descriptive about what you remember and how you felt.

Where to begin... I have so many great memories from my childhood, here's a fun little story though. 

I remember first learning to ride my bike. We had some sports grounds not far up the road from our house so Dad took my brother (who could already ride a bike) and I up there for me to have some practice. It was a tough slog and there were some tears shed, but we got there in the end. I think I must have been about four, I was definitely not older than 5. I loved riding my bike once I got the hang of it, and I thought I was pretty cool too!

I know, totes cute right??

My grandparents lived around the road from us then, about 800m or so (half a mile). One day we were around there and Dad said my brother and I could ride our bikes home... YUSSS! That was also before helmets were the law. Can you see where this is heading? So we started off on our bikes with Dad following slowly behind. There was a little down hill then an uphill and the we were home. Once Dad thought we were going ok he sped up a bit to meet us at home. My older brother was under strict instruction to stay close to me too. I was so excited to be riding on the road. As I was going down the hill I started to get the speed wobbles, however. I then got a bit scared and wobbled into the curb, sending me flying over my handle bars. My head hit the curb and cracked open. I can't remember the pain but I can remember the blood. Luckily my Dad hadn't got too far and he saw my brother stopped next to me and turned around. He rushed me back to Nanas where she then said to take me to the hospital. I got my head stitched up and I was right as rain.

I don't remember being scared or in pain but I remember my brother being so freaked out. I remember him calling my Mum and telling her he could see my brain... Haha!

When I got my stitches out I remember the Doctor saying he would give me a jelly bean for every stitch he took out and I didn't cry. I got all the jelly beans (I think there were about 17 up for grabs). He knew the way to my heart - lollies!

So that's a story from my childhood, very exciting! And I still love bike riding so it can't have been too traumatic for me - I think it was worse for my bro and my Dad. And can you guess what I got for my 5th birthday? That's right, a beautiful hi-lighter pink bike helmet. So cool!

Any fun/scary/crazy childhood memories of yours?

When did you first learn to ride a bike?