Why running speed does not matter

Novice athletes often think that the goal of training - learn to run faster and experience a burning shame if they can not make plans. Coaches and sports columnist Jeff Godett (Jeff Gaudette) believes otherwise. We have prepared a translation of his article, which explains that the slow pace - the problem of the body and mind.

When I started working with a group of age-runners and amateur athletes in 2006 for me was surprise unusually high levels of negative thoughts and lack of confidence in many of my wards. Almost every new member of the group instead of greeting immediately began to justify himself: "I must have the slowest of all the people you trained "or" I guess you do not do with such slow as I". And no matter what actually had their successes. Virtually every talk session began with flagellation.

Unfortunately, over time the situation has not changed. A lot of runners, both novices and experienced athletes, long skeptical and hesitant to join the local cross-country or community to participate in the competition. When asked why, the answer is always the same: they feel that they are too slow.

That's what I want to tell you: you do not slow. All the fault of self-deprecating thoughts that do not allow you to realize all its possibilities.

The purpose of this article - to prove that the change in mentality and adequate self-esteem is much more important than any training.

The power of thought

That's negative thinking often prevents us to reach their full potential. Your worst enemies - sentences beginning with the words: "Yes, I know, I'm slow, but ..." Again and again, saying that, you force yourself to believe that never really learn to run fast. Research sports psychologists have proven the power of positive thinking and cheering internal dialogue. Athletes who went to the start line in a good mood, were stable and showed better results than those who stayed in the gloom.

However, redefining the relationship to their abilities starts well before the race. If, during the preparation for it, you harass a bad thoughts, no positive attitude and prelaunch conversations with yourself are not reimbursed weeks or months of self-abasement. Positive Thinking - this is how you perceive every aspect of their training.

I understand that it is difficult to take a moment and change the perception of their own ability, so here's a tip to help.

Whatever the speed, running is always the same

A little secret: it does not affect how fast you were running on the satisfaction of hard training and the disappointment of a bad outcome of the race. This is the beauty of our sport.

There is no difference between an athlete who has overcome the five kilometers in half an hour, and those who did it in 16 minutes. Both tried their best and overcome the same obstacles. All runners are, in principle, equal, and speed does not matter a bit.

I run 10 kilometers in 29 minutes. I'm still uncomfortable with the prospects to come to finish last, I still do not know many things about the training, and I was much more bad training, injuries and unsuccessful races than we would like. So there is no need to anticipate your questions or thoughts about running the words "I'm slow." I'm fast, but experiencing the same difficulties and fears. And so all runners.

There is always someone faster

If you are not Olympic medalists Kenenisa Bekele, Mo Farah and Galen Rupp, there is always someone you faster. Speed ​​- a relative term. You run one and a half kilometers in 15 minutes and in doubt whether you can call yourself a runner, because many overcome this distance for much shorter period? "Quick," Athletes feel the same way.

Former professional runner Ryan Uorrenberg shared doubts about whether he should identify themselves to the running elite. The distance of five kilometers takes him 13 minutes 43 seconds. I think it is quick and it is worthy of the title of "elite" athlete. You know, the place takes its result in the world ranking? And I do not know, but it's outside the top 500 indicators.

Why is "slow" is seen as something bad?

Okay, let me not afford to convince you that "slow" - just a matter of perspective. Then answer why the general running speed matter? Runners - the most friendly and helpful athletes I've ever met. None of the people I know did not refuse to run a little slower if the partner is difficult to maintain the set speed. Think about it, do you get less pleasure from jogging with a friend, if you have to move at a lower rate? I bet it is not.

You run fast or slow, things have definitely better than most of his compatriots. Physical activity of many of them barely falls short of the recommended daily allowance, and on sports and often out of the question. So the next time when the thought of their own sluggishness will hinder you to join the company runners, ask questions or take part in competitions, ask yourself: "Is it all that important?"

(via)