Mental Strategies for Your Long Runs
April 9, 2008 · Filed Under Articles, Skills & Techniques
More strategies at running.about.com
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One trick I play on myself that I didn’t see on about.com’s list is the heavy stomach trick. If I’m not looking forward to long run, I’ll sometimes eat a heavy meal before the run (think nuts, olives, oil, cheese, etc). Sure I full and lethargic at the start, but I also continually feel better throughout the run as my stomach empties. As a bonus, I’m well fueled for the entire run.
Hmm… Interesting trick Bryon. Yesterday I went out for an hour and a half run and your tip came back to my mind. I couldn’t resist a couple - actually four - slices of bread with Nutella (awesome chocolate spread) before the run and then I obviously felt a bit full and heavy for the first 45 min. But then I started to feel better, lighter and with more energy than when I started. That helped a lot completing the scheduled distance as I had no work outs for the last week and I was feeling quite tired. The question is: would this boost of ‘mental’ energy compensate the initial slowness in a competition?
Cheers
TRS,
I think it would depend largely on the expected duration of the race. I would strongly suggest not using the technique in any races of 4 hours or shorter. The effort one can maintain for that period is high enough that diverting so much blood flow to your gastrointestinal tract would be a big no-no. It might be ok for a longer race, but one would have to consider the mental impact of feeling less than great for the first hour or more versus the gain of feeling better in hours two and three. I think that’s a very personal decision.
More generically for races of 4 hours or longer I’d suggest eating a moderate-sized balanced breakfast an hour or two before the start and maybe a bar or gel closer to the gun.
Keep in mind, I’m no nutritionist or exercise physiologist.