Preparing for a 100-mile race isn't solely about physical training; it's a mental marathon as much as a physical one. It demands confronting weaknesses and mastering mental resilience as much as physical endurance, a lesson learned during my own Leadville 100 journey. Here, are the three mental exercises pivotal in readying oneself for the daunting distance.
Anyone of any age who engages in running should be in tune with their body and seek medical advice before embarking on any intensive activity (including changes to said activity) that may unduly extend them. This is critical should the aspiring athlete have underlying medical conditions and/or ongoing health issues requiring medication.
Numerous sports enthusiasts share a common aspiration to relocate to greater altitudes, enticed by the tranquil mountain settings and the belief that these locations are the ideal backdrop for dwelling and training. However, as they embark on this journey, they may encounter unforeseen challenges that extend beyond physical performance...
Two and a half decades ago, a defining study in 1997 involving 236 age-group swimmers introduced us to the concept of athlete burnout. It unveiled a mental health disorder characterized by emotional and physical exhaustion, dwindling achievements, and a fading passion for the sport. These symptoms align remarkably well with the definition of occupational burnout. These dimensions can affect athletes to varying degrees.
It is crucial to investigate the underlying psychological dynamics motivating long-distance runners' resolve in the modern world, where the attractiveness of endurance sports is expanding. The International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology recently published an investigation that sheds light on the complex relationship between extreme complications from ultramarathons, stays in intensive care units, exercise dependency, and the unique personality traits of athletes. This analysis highlights the fact that, despite trail and ultrarunning being frequently seen as admirable endeavors, some athletes push these hobbies to the limit, leading to serious medical consequences.
For many runners, crossing the finish line as quickly as possible is the ultimate goal. But for some, simply crossing the line before the organizers pack up and leave is enough. In a culture that celebrates speed and power, being a slow runner often comes with little glory. But slow runners have found that there is something special about putting aside their watches and focusing on the experience of running, rather than just the time it takes to finish.
In a ground-breaking global study, inactive gamers who increased exercise levels sawtheir cognitive function, wellbeing and gaming performance dramatically improve.Could exercise be the key to boosting brain power?
an ASICS experiment in which regular exercisers paused their normal fitness routines for one week. The impact on their state of mind was found to be similar to a week of broken sleep, with participants reporting a 23% increase in racing thoughts.
When it comes to training, are you a simplifier or an optimizer? Simplifiers look for the easiest way to get a task done, and accept that there are some costs or lost opportunities that come with their approach. Optimizers continually tweak, adjust and update their plans in order to get the best possible outcome.
MATT FITZGERALD – Runner’s Tribe
Matt Fitzgerald is an acclaimed endurance sports coach, nutritionist, and author. His many books include The Endurance Diet, 80/20 Running, and How Bad Do You Want It?
The best teacher I ever had was Mark Gould, a sociology professor at Haverford College. I’ll never forget the first meeting of...
