Nerves

If you are anything like me, just about everything causes stress and nervousness.  A simple quiz causes me to break out in sweat, and an exam causes a near heart attack.  Why? Because I want to succeed and do the very best I can.  Performing brings out the best of my ability, but also a huge amount of stress that I somehow need to manage.

Running anxiety applies to any level of running from a race to a workout.  It is a quite common problem with lots of runners.  When I run, if there is pressure from either my team or myself, I freak out.  Like anything in life, pressure if hard to control.  Trying to meet the expectations we set for ourselves or the ones others set for us can be downright unpleasant and stressful.  Naturally we want to do out best and meet the goals and expectations to fulfill ourselves.  

Nerves can effect all runners, from the most casual to the hard core marathoners.  As Competitor.com puts it, "If you’ve been in the sport long enough, however, you’ve undoubtedly had a running friend who was scared to race, or you’ve been stricken with racing anxiety yourself."  While we might not all be racers, all runners suffer from nerves at different times.  I generally throw up before every race in pure fear of failure to reach my goals, and both of my roommates secluded themselves for hours before the start of the race.  In racing, this was normal for us.  Doing that first 5K that you spent weeks training for can be an overwhelming feeling.  

Even just running for fitness or beginning the sport is daunting.  Underachieving and not hitting your time goals or weekly mileage creates nerves.  Another frequent problem all runners get at some point is focusing on the watch and becoming demoralized by their poor performance.  Even basic factors like feeling embarrassed of your pace of running shape can cause runner anxiety.  The point is, like most things in life, running can cause anxiety, especially when we become more serious about the sport.  

The key as always is to manage the stress.  Personally I just accepted the anxiety and realized that it meant I cared and it truly made me more focused on performing my best.  Livestrong.com recommends controlling breathing while running and just staying relaxed.  Alleviating your stress could be as easy as just getting rid of the watch and moving the focus to having fun rather than obsessing.  

There is no one true way to relieve runner's anxiety.  Like stress in other parts of our lives, we constantly need to find ways to deal with it that work for us.  

http://running.competitor.com/2014/02/training/four-strategies-for-overcoming-racing-anxiety_49812


http://www.livestrong.com/article/176070-how-to-overcome-anxiety-while-running/

Get Away

Up until now, I have focused mainly on running as a competitive sport, or as an activity meant mostly to prepare you for a race or to gain fitness results.  These are all extremely valid perks of running which need to be discussed, but they are far less important than the pure beauty of going for a run to "get away from it all".

A few hours ago the stress of exams, homework, lack of sleep, and fitting in everything else I do hit me.  I was becoming overwhelmed by the world and the only thing I could think to do was go on a run.  Usually I need a reason to run like training for a race or I simply have no motivation of a run.  But this run was different, I didn't feel the need to run fast or hit the hills.  Rather I ran for the pure thrill of running and the chance to further explore campus and take a break from my hectic routine.

I do not know what it is about a late night run to alleviate stress.  There is a certain freedom and control involved as if you can take control of your life and decide the course of action for the duration of the run.  In a world where I often feel so lost, I determine the next step, the next turn, or the next trail.  It is truly my time.

There are no grades, tests, exams or studying to be done.  On an emotional level running is an escape from reality.  And there are no people, it is you and the road, enjoying the run and the serenity.
Sometimes, a run with someone can be just as refreshing and restorative.  Spending time with a friend outside of the monotony of studying and class can be a great way to relieve stress.

Running doesn't need to be chore that is forced into your routine.  Make it fun, use running for your life.  More often that not, it is a tool to benefit your life and improve yourself.  Utilize it and explore what it can do.  Many find it an excellent time to reflect and think on the events of the day, almost as a conclusion.  In addition to using it to relieve stress, I find running to play a pivotal role in my spiritual life and to connect with the natural world around me.

I urge you to step back and take a timeout.  Head out on a run to your favorite area of campus, or on a loop that ends at the Berkey Creamery.  Whatever your troubles may be, a relaxing run might be a healthier alternative to the netflix and chill for stress relief.

Maybe Tomorrow...

Before I even attempt to talk to all of you about the importance of motivation in running I will preface the post with my own failures.  I recently began to train for a half marathon, and the training plan is somewhat rigorous.  To say my motivation was low would be lying.  It was practically non existent because of the cold weather and snow.  I have found a way to get out of a few runs despite the fact that I have a goal and a plan.  Luckily, these ruts do not last forever.  

As always procrastination, seems to run supreme.  With our busy lives it can be hard enough to find time to do the basic things we absolutely need to do.  Then accomplishing the extras like personal fitness or laundry can be nearly impossible.  There is always a "good" excuse to skip like extra sleep, the weather, or friends.  The key to winning the epic battle against procrastination and the lack of motivation is to find the weapon.  

I often tell myself that I can skip a run here and there because I only run five days a week, then all of the sudden I skipped three days in a row when I truly did have the time.  Luckily I have found the secret to my motivation.  For me to be successful and motivated I need both a goal and a running partner.  I cannot find the motivation and inner drive to do a long run in the cold alone.  When I have someone by my side sharing the miserable cold it drives me and makes the run both more effective and fun.  

My first tip to any runner struggling with motivation is to find someone else to hold you accountable and to run with you.  I guarantee your runs will be faster and more fulfilling.  This might not work for you but it is worth a try.  

There are a host of methods runners have to motivate themselves.  For many music can motivate them to run and push them hard during.  Some need a goal like dropping weight or finishing a 5k.  I always feel that promising myself a small reward like a nap or candy is helpful in breaking the procrastination.  

Another effective method I use is to run in exciting places.  Get off the boring treadmill and explore campus.  Grab a friend, hit the trails and get lost on purpose.  The easiest way to get motivated is to make it exciting.  Running doesn't need to be a form of self inflicted torture that takes herculean effort to self motivate.  

Tomorrow is always a great day to run.  But so is today.  Experiment and find what works for you.  There is no right or wrong answer to how you get motivated to run.  When you finally do get up and go, the feeling of accomplishment is worth it.    

Why Do We Run?

Inevitably we question our decisions in life.  We question the rude comment we made to a friend, the junk food we scarfed down, or spending your entire weekend with friends instead of studying.  Sometimes it goes even deeper and we are unsure whether to continue on.  Maybe we picked a difficult major or are in a difficult relationship that isn't working out.  Whatever it may be, we go through times in our lives where we think twice.  

My cross country coach always explained running to me as a relationship.  For some random reason you crossed paths and you decide to take a big step and start running.  At first it is difficult and slightly awkward to get to know, but you learn to love it.  However at some point you may come to question your relationship with the sport because of the difficulty or commitment.  

It is an odd analogy, but somewhat relatable.  So you started running and you think you might want to stick with it.  However I guarantee at some point in your running career, you will question why you need to run.  I question it so often purely because of the immense time commitment it is for me.  

It is important to determine why you running.  This may seem like a something that doesn't matter, after all a jog is a jog.  But running is a tough mental game, and something that isn't always easy to stay committed.  When the question arises of why you are running think hard on it.  

This question helps determine what you want running to be for you.  The beauty of running is how adaptive of a sport it is.  You might realize this is something you truly want to improve at and that you want to race competitively.  Perhaps you just want it to get in shape or get down to a desired weight.  And for a driven few, ultra marathons and other ludicrous events await.  

It might seem useless to figure out your level of commitment to running, but I would argue against that.  It is so important to know the level you want to run at in order to determine your training plan.  Running every now and then is great, but only continuous running will provide you with noticeable benefits.  

For someone who wants to just get in better shape or run to have some time to think, try just a simple three days a week at whatever speed you want.  For those who want to really focus on balancing their workouts and losing weight, try four days a week at a pace where you can talk comfortably.  For those who want to really commit and race I would try five days a week at a pace a little faster than conversation pace.  

If you do choose to become a part of the running community, question why and the level you want to commit.  Once you do, you can tailor the sport to you and your specific needs and desired results.