Full Description
It's no secret that if you plan to run in the toughest endurance races, you need to physically prepare for the extreme demands you will be subjecting your body to. But successful runners will be quick to note that physical preparation is only part of the equation. You need to be mentally strong to withstand, and overcome, the challenges of this grueling sport. That's where Mental Training for Ultrarunning comes in.
Sport psychology consultant Addie Bracy has coached and provided mental performance consulting to elite athletes in many sports, and she herself has been a competitive distance runner for more than two decades. In Mental Training for Ultrarunning, she combines her firsthand coaching and running experience, along with profiles of ultrarunners who've experienced the highs and lows of the sport, to explain what you need to know and practice in order to cross that finish line.
In this book, you will learn tools and techniques to help you prepare for and overcome some of the biggest mental and emotional challenges you may encounter in ultrarunning. You'll find more than 35 practical activities that will guide you in taking an introspective look at your own potential roadblocks so you can develop and strengthen the skills you need to run with confidence.
Whether you're training for your first ultra or looking to compete at a higher level, Mental Training for Ultrarunning will prepare you for the good, the bad, and the worst experiences you might encounter on the trail, road, or track. With expert guidance from athletes who have seen it all, you'll learn how to train your mind and anticipate all the variables that could keep you from achieving your ultimate running goals.
Contents
Foreword by Clare Gallagher
Chapter 1. Why Psychological Breakdowns Happen in Ultrarunning
Understand the importance of finding your mental weaknesses, and develop the skills to make them a strength.
Chapter 2. Find Your Why for Running
Identify your values and build a deeper, more sustainable connection to running.
Chapter 3. Manage Your Stress Response
Learn to control your nerves and respond appropriately to outside stimuli to feel confident, calm, and collected.
Chapter 4. Get Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable
Embrace the discomfort of running long distances and overcome the mental and emotional toll of such difficult challenges.
Chapter 5. Run the Mile You're In
Focus on what you can influence, stay in the present, and avoid getting distracted by possible outcomes.
Chapter 6. Stick to the Grind
Prioritize your behaviors to find motivation and consistency over the long haul.
Chapter 7. Be Adaptable
Learn how to problem solve and cope with adversity.
Chapter 8. Run With Courage
Approach challenges with an open mind and be able to relinquish control.
Chapter 9. Get Out of Your Own Way
Manage doubts and control negative self-talk to find confidence and belief in what you can accomplish.
Chapter 10. Emotionally Bounce Back From Physical Setbacks
Respond to setbacks and roadblocks such as injuries and DNFs with a positive, action-oriented approach.
