Dr. Andrew Schneider is a podiatrist in private practice in Houston, TX. He is dedicated to maintaining the health and safety of the feet of athletes and return them to their sport as soon as possible after injury. For more information about foot health in sports, informative videos, and to order Dr. Schneider's FREE book, visit his website and his blog "The Houston Running Chronicles"
As a runner you realize that some days you have good runs where you feel strong, fast, and ready to take on the miles. You also realize that other days you feel as if you can't go on after only the first mile of a 4 mile run and you are battling with your mind to stop. After years of running and battling through tough runs, I have figured out some ways to help push through those days where you feel like you can't go on.
First, if you are battling through a run because your muscles and body ache then stop for a good stretch in the middle of your run. This will give you time to take a breather and to stretch out muscles that are probably the cause of your body aches. You may even get a better stretch after your muscles are warmed up.
Second, if you are having a tough time getting through a run because your mind is making you feel like you are tired then instead of stopping completely, play the "corner game." Run a block to a corner then walk to the next corner, and then run to the next, and so on and so forth. Even though you are not running straight through you are still moving through the entire distance which is better than completely stopping.
Third, sometimes self motivation can go a long way. If you are having a hard time, tell yourself out loud that you can do it. This may sound silly, but running is definitely a mind over matter sport and this helps to trick your mind into thinking that you really are fine and can keep going on. Studies have proven that self-encouragement by talking yourself through a hard run works well.
There are many little tricks out there that people use to help them push through those tough runs. Whether it is stretching, walking for awhile, or self motivation anything that helps to get you a little farther through a tough run is worth a try. If a hard run just becomes too much and you decide to stop, don't beat yourself up over it. If you are outside and you stop, then enjoy the walk home. Try and speed walk to keep your muscles moving. No one says that running is easy but with training and experience, you will learn what tricks help to make you push on.
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