Mastering The Mental Running Demons

It is funny as you start out to run your long run your first miles feel foot loose and fancy. The sun isn't that hot, the legs feel young and you even have a grin on your face for the love of running.

Then one thought enters in..and another and another....

The little rollers your running up look like the Alps, the sun beats on you as if your running in Death Valley, your legs feel like they are going to fall off and you look down at your GPS and are only at mile 4!!! WHAT!!! 

Today Andy shared his long run with me. He had to run 17 miles. LSD. (Long Slow Distance). At mile 12 Andy was falling apart mentally. Physically he was hurtin for certain as well but he knew the mental demons were attacking faster and harder than his back spasms and feet hurting.
Andy asked me to stay close and encourage him.

When you feel like mentally you are falling apart at the seams it is important to try not to get to close to the edge. I shared positive thoughts with Andy.
Positive thoughts are like a Life Vest. Even the best swimmers can drown in Discouragement if they play in  the waters to long. Discouraging thoughts are contagious. Fatigue, Pain, Loneliness and Despair lurk in the waters of DEFEAT and DISCOURAGMENT.. They will drown you faster than you can swim out.
I find Gratitude is always my Life Vest. The more encouraging thoughts I shared with Andy the more encouraged I felt.
Most of the time you have to be your own cheerleader. Your inner voice has to be louder than the negative thoughts and doubts that sabotage your run or anything else.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5  "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,"

 

 

 

You do not have to run 17 miles to know that negative thoughts will destroy dreams, goals, responsibilities, and the list go's on and on.

I need positive words. Positive people. That is why I like running partners. They help me defeat those negative thoughts.

 

• I miss running with "Danielle." Summer is hard for us to run together she has small children.
• Sending out prayers to "Paula". She has been struggling with Achilles issues the last few couple weeks.

Where do negative thoughts seep into your life? What thoughts hold you captive? Insecurity, fear, inadequacy, physical pain.... 

Anita