Emotions During Physical Exertion

Emotions During Physical Exertion

I ran what I thought was a tough 10km today... Although the run itself didn’t affect me, it was the toughest run I had undertaken in a while... Mentally!

As I ran, I wondered what our boot campers feel during RCBC sessions or indeed during there own training sessions and runs...

You see, today, I set off in my head thinking I will run an easy 5km followed by a slightly faster 10km but not race pace. The first 3km were OK, I felt good in my body, legs felt strong as I am doing some awesome leg sessions in preparation for upcoming races!

When I got to 4km I wanted to stop... It wasn't like hitting the wall during a marathon feeling I have had in the past. I just felt tired, my mind played a number of tricks on me, I told myself I felt a niggle in my ankle, my hip didn't feel right, I thought I had a headache... Of course there was nothing wrong with me!

When I changed my thought pattern to my children, as I did, Those niggles, headaches went!

Hitting into the 1 of the 5 faster kms I went through a number of emotions such as anger, at my self and at the emotion itself... I don't do negativity! I then felt sad that I just wanted the next 4 km to be over... Coming up to the last 2 km I thought, “shall I push to race pace and get it done” or “continue at a speed of physical ease but a mental toughness...” I decided to push to a 4.30 per km pace to get it over with... It was the hardest 2km I think I’ve ever felt!

The finish line was in sight and I looked at my watch...Feeling angry at myself that I should have pushed the whole 10km at race pace... But happy at the same time that I had completed the 10km in an easy 50 mins as I had ran the first 5km at an easy pace!

I want to throw this blog open to RCBC members and ask what emotions, feelings and thoughts go through your mind when training at RCBC and indeed during your own training/run sessions!

This is a research blog to see if any patterns set...! Please illustrate if any particular sessions spark different emotions, feelings etc such as Saturday Abs, Evil Mondays, Code X, Race Days, day sessions and night session... Etc etc!

I look forward to reading your comments!

3 Comments to Emotions During Physical Exertion:

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Lizzie B on Thursday, November 24, 2011 1:39 PM

I don't run with an ipod, so i sing songs in my head that fit with the rhythm of my run, doesn't matter what it is, usually an annoying CBeebies song over and over, but it keeps me going til my mind wanders off into its own little world!!! There is one main thought that comes to mind when i'm thinking about giving up and walking when i'm on a run (and i have a whole host of excuses i could use due to my dizziness!!!) here it is - "What would Stu say if you gave up now?" As the answer is usually along the lines of 'why are you stopping now?' (obviously in a very supportive but equally pushy tone) I always keep going. It's like having an imaginary personal trainer!!! :-)

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Sam Shaughnessy on Thursday, November 24, 2011 4:03 PM

If I feel like giving up, or taking the easy option during a Bootcamp session, I remind myself of why I'm there, this usually works for me, however if I'm finding the session particularly tougher than usual then I imagine my Dad and his Brother up above looking down and saying "she's got the Earle ( my maiden name) fighting spirit in her our Sam has, go on girl kick some ass!to me there's no better feeling than knowing your family and friends are proud of you and what you're achieving,this gives me the buzz I need to carry on, if I've got to do something then I'll do it regardless of whether I want to or not and there may be a few battles along the way but I'll fight my way through them and come out the other side a much stronger ( both physically and mentally) happier and contented person.

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Sarah on Friday, November 25, 2011 4:35 PM

Usually I find the first half hour of any training session the toughest. Once I've reached the point where my lungs are hurting, my heart is pounding and my legs and arms are full of lactic I know it can't get any worse and I just have to dig in to the end. I don't train well on my own, especially if my head is in the wrong place, which is why I train with a group/pt/gym buddy/running club.I always feel better about life after training, if I'm low or grumpy my husband will tell me to get myself to the gym quick.

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