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When the Run Blows Up: 12 Inspiring Quotes

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Teach a runner a quote and he’s set for the next workout. Teach a runner the tools to creating affirmations specific to their situation and they’ll eat for life. Wait, I think I’m mixing metaphors. It’s true though, right?

You pull up your Instagram, there’s an amazing quote that fires you up and reminds you that you CAN do this.

You start running and within minutes that fire has been dowsed with a fire hose of reality…this shat is hard.

Complete and utter system meltdown and that quote hasn’t even crossed your mind again, let alone pushed you forward.Quotes to get you through tough trainingRunning is mental.

The hard runs, the good runs, the days you just can’t get enough, it’s all driven by our emotions and thoughts.

Developing an affirmation, or mantra, you can call on when it feels like someone peed on your cornflakes can truly turn around a hard run. Maybe it won’t magically become easier, but the way you feel about the struggle will and that relaxation often leads to better race day, better speed workout, better long run…happier runner.

Why Create Affirmation?

Repeating positive affirmations or mantras daily helps to reprogram your subconscious mind, by replacing negative thought patterns over time.

What many of don’t realize is that our negative thoughts are also considered affirmations, as the repetition of those thoughts generally ensures they come true!

Beliefs are learned thought patterns that we have developed and repeat daily. Many of these beliefs work well for us, but others may be preventing us from achieving what we believe we want. Every thought we think or say is a reflection of our inner truth or beliefs.

How to Do it Right?

The goal of selecting positive affirmations is help retrain your thinking and focus on what you DO want rather than what you do not want from life. An example would be to change “I’m so slow” into “I am making progress everyday towards my running goals”.

One definitely feels better than the other and has a huge impact on how you feel about yourself and how you carry yourself through the day.

This isn’t about just thinking happy thoughts and life will suddenly be perfect, but it is about reframing how you see yourself and the world to ensure your experience is better. A rock rolling down hill gains momentum; your thoughts act in the same way.It's important to learn how to control what we focus on - click fo rmore running quotes and mantras

How to Use Affirmations?

Just mumbling a mantra of “I am fast and strong” won’t do much unless you put a little bit of umph behind it.

An affirmation doesn’t have to be true at the time you say it, but you have to believe it’s possible. Using the affirmation daily helps your brain begin to believe that it’s possible, which makes it easier to create habits and make choices that support achieving the goal.Stop relying on others quotes, create your own personal affirmation to get through the hard stuff in running, training and life

1. Choose an affirmation
What is one area you truly want to improve? Speed? Distance? Nutrition?

2. Put some emotion behind it
Smile, get pumped up and really feel as though it has already happened.

3. Get in Gratitude
Now that you feel like it has already happened, celebrate by saying thank you to God, the Universe or whatever you may believe in. Gratitude is one of the fastest ways to improve your mood according to numerous studies.

Affirmations can be said out loud, written or simply repeated in your mind. One very effective way to use this is called “mirror work” by Louise Hay and involves looking at yourself in the mirror as you make these positive statements.

Awkward yes and that’s kind of the point! Personally I like to say my affirmations during the first mile of my run, you know those moments where you’re still working out the kinks, not quite in flow yet.

Don't forget the mental side of training to run your best race - mantras and affirmations to push through #runchat Click To Tweet

How to Create Your Running Affirmation?

After looking through some of the examples, you might find that you are ready to create your own affirmation specific to your goals and desires. Here are a few key tips:

  • Speak as though what you ask for already is; (I have, I am)
  • Use only positive words; (eliminate not, don’t, won’t)
  • Include feeling words; (joyfully, happily, generously)
  • Say it with feeling;
  • Visualize what you are saying. (This one takes practice, but is the most powerful way to enhance the effect of affirmations)

If you are looking for more affirmation resources, I highly recommend You Can Heal Your Life and Making Your Thoughts Work for You by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer; Byron Katie

12 Affirmations to Help You Push Through

If you’re anything like me, I still need examples to go forth and create my own thing!

Give me a starting point, just like a training plan that you tailor to your needs.12 inspiring quotes for tough runs, hard training or just getting through lifeMuhammad Ali once said, “It’s the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.” If they’re good enough for him, then I’m on board!!

  • All I need is within me now and I have the courage to see it through.
  • Every day and in every way, I’m getting better and better.
  • Every mile, I’m getting stronger and stronger.
  • I am prepared, focused and ready to complete this run.
  • I love every cell in my body and it loves me back.
  • Today is a new opportunity for me to grow and become a better runner.
  • I have completed many similar runs and trust in my body to do so again today.
  • I enjoy filling my body with the foods that are best for me.
  • It’s easy for me to get up for my morning workouts.
  • I quickly forget bad workouts because everyone has them.
  • I start each workout strong and finish even stronger.
  • I love the run and go in to each one with enthusiasm and joy.

Looking for more mental training?
Running Mantras of the Elites >>
23 Marathon Quotes >>
Understanding the power of GRIT >>

Do you use mantras, affirmations or quotes during training?

How do you get through a rough training patch?

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Posted by amanda Categories: Motivation, running coach

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katie says

    August 2, 2017 at 10:37 am

    This is great. I need to get better about using a mantra during my runs when they get really tough. I do use them as a daily basis through my regular meditation practice and since running can be so meditative, it makes sense!

  2. Nicole says

    August 2, 2017 at 1:29 pm

    i love this. but i hope i don’t have to use them soon :)

  3. Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says

    August 2, 2017 at 3:03 pm

    Hi Amanda! Love this! I’m not even a runner, but I totally believe in the power of positive self-talk and putting yourself in the mindset where you want to be. Great stuff! :)

  4. Aimee says

    August 2, 2017 at 3:57 pm

    I love this! It reminds me of Jeff Galloway’s book on motivation and the sections in his books about mantras.

  5. Emily Swanson says

    August 2, 2017 at 4:02 pm

    Amazed at how mental running is and it is so true that speaking the truth, speaking joy and positive things even after a tough run. :)

  6. Sarah says

    August 2, 2017 at 5:59 pm

    I could use mantras and affirmations in so many areas and I’ve been trying to. Running is so mental and not just physical!! I had big running plans this year but put them on hold again for next year but hoping that my heart and head are in it as much as I want them to be.

  7. Meredith says

    August 3, 2017 at 4:32 am

    Amanda, I’ve just recently found your blog and I love the way you speak to the things already on my mind. I use mantras and have learned in recent years the power of controlling ones thoughts and being positive. Great post! And thank you

  8. Laura says

    August 3, 2017 at 7:07 am

    So much of running is mental! I used to play the song “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen to pump me up! LOL!

  9. Larry Horton says

    August 3, 2017 at 11:09 am

    I love this, But I hope never use them ! haha

  10. jodi says

    August 3, 2017 at 11:29 am

    Oh my gosh. How’d you know I needed to read this this morning?? :)
    Super hard for me group speed workout last night and so many emotions!!!
    Thank you for this Coach!!!

  11. Drew Griffiths says

    August 3, 2017 at 4:56 pm

    Great article, I try and meditate when I’m doing cardio – either by focusing on the moving muscles, my breath or counting to 20 for each ‘stride’ or stroke if using a rowing machine. “Let’s go champ” is my fave affirmation from Shannon Briggs!

  12. Taylor Kiser says

    August 4, 2017 at 5:16 am

    Love this! Such a great way to motivate oneself! Great quote to remember from Frank Outlaw!

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Amanda Brooks is a Certified Running Coach, Certified Personal Trainer and long time distance runner with a passion for every facet of running, which leads her to do more reading, research and running than necessary. Find all the tips, tricks and tools you need from this running coach for your best injury free running. Read More…

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Amanda Brooks : Run Coach
SHARE THE ONE that resonates most with you. 🏃‍♀️🏃🏾🏃🏽‍♂️
 
It’s true, I’ll never stop talking about the warm up 😂. But right now the idea that running is HOPEFUL really strikes a chord.💜
 
We show up mile after mile always looking to what’s ahead and what’s possible.
 
Which one hits home for you?
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#runningmotivation #runninginspiration #medalmonday #fitnessmemes #runningmemes #runningquotes #runnerslife #runnerlife
AVOID HITTING THE WALL (save this and review befor AVOID HITTING THE WALL (save this and review before races) -AKA  Bonking. UK friends giggle at that, but it’s a term just like fartlek.
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It’s that painful moment when your mind tells your legs to stop and it feels like there’s nothing you can do to turn the tides. It leaves emotional scars!🥵
 
WHAT TO DO!
1️⃣Train differently - seems obvious, but consistent training that follows a plan which progressively and smartly builds your miles and strength and speed...ya it works.
 
2️⃣Fuel, fuel, fuel - force yourself to eat before races and long runs even if not hungry.
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Starting fueling sooner than you think you need to and keep doing it. During races your body is running on more carbs and needs that steady flow of energy. 
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🧠 Your brain functions on CARBS, stop depriving it or it will tell you to stop running. If food while running is an issue for you, checkout something like @genucan.
 
3️⃣Pacing - Stop going out too fast because you’re excited, it absolutely catches up to you. Ideal is even pacing start to finish.
 
4️⃣Pay attention to your brain. @fitzgerald.matt in How Bad Do You Want it does a great job of showing how the brain can limit performance if you don’t know what’s happening up there.
 
5️⃣Recover better - Stop over training and give your body tools to help it destress from all the work...the best one is SLEEP. I also love @resiliencecbd to help with nerves prior to a race and quality sleep during training.
 
❓❓Helpful?? Have more race day questions?? Or an epic story of hitting the wall?? I wanna know.❓❓
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Thanks to @moxie82co for capturing this weird moment, it worked great for this post.
HIT THOSE HIPS!!! I’ve given you a couple hip mo HIT THOSE HIPS!!! I’ve given you a couple hip mobility workouts, now we add strength!
//
🥳For the next 30 days in the Virtual Run Club we’ll be going hard on all the pre-hab work for hips, glutes and abs. Because running isn’t just about the miles.
//
That’s one of the reasons I’ve been consistently doing @insidetracker bloodwork since 2015.
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It’s helped me identify low Vitamin D causing fatigue or catch my wayyy high cortisol to embrace easy runs as key part of the process.
📌 (Save this post because the last screen has a 25% off discount code and you can get free access to the 30 Day March Challenge.)
👉LINK IN BIO FOR BOTH
✅✅✅✅
3 CORE MOVES
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You can use these as a progression or do all three, they’ll target the hips, glutes and core in different ways with each variation.
 
Aim for 15 reps prior to a run or do multiple rounds as part of a workout!
 
1️⃣Side Plank Kneeling Hip Raise - Really focus on your core engaging to raise up and keeping your elbow under your shoulder.
 
2️⃣Side Plank Kneeling Leg Raise - Again core should be tight to keep hips lifted, not sagging towards the ground. Then focus on your hip and glute to raise the top leg.
 
3️⃣Straight Leg Side Plank Leg Raise - Engage the core to keep hips high and press the bottom foot in to the ground to really engage your glutes. Slow and steady to remain stable while raising and lowering top leg.
❓❓❓❓
Talk to me!!!
Who’s in for 10 min a day in March?
Who’s gotten blood work to improve their health?
Who’s excited it’s almost spring?
👉👉Me to all 3! And more info in stories!
 
 
 
#runtothefinish #insidetrackerpartner
RUN DAYS ARE THE BEST DAYS😊 I had training tips RUN DAYS ARE THE BEST DAYS😊 I had training tips planned to share today, but really just wanted to say I hope you get in some miles today and they make you smile.
 
Let go of the pace.
Let go of the distance.
Let go of HR for a day.
Just run.
We GET to.
 
Where in the world are you running today?
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I’ll be embracing one warm day before snow here in Boulder, CO.
EMOJI POLL: Round or no? ⏰ give me whole numbers EMOJI POLL: Round or no?
⏰ give me whole numbers
👍wherever I stop, it stops
🙃I don’t use no stinking watch
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THAT’S A LIE 😂. I can’t do it. I need the round number and when I get that close to a whole number...I need it!
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