5 Mental Tips to Get Through Your Long Runs | Marathon Training

Years ago when I trained for Boston I would use the meditation technique I knew, I would focus on my breath, when I got distracted, I would come back to my breath,

I actually get most excited for long runs. They've always been the highlight of my week. I don't have any time pressure on them as I'm always running for pleasure rather than race training. Exploring new trails is a big motivator for me too. Thanks for all the great tips, Jane 👍🏻🏃‍♂️

I love the tip to start thinking about 5 four-mile runs instead of a daunting 20-mile run. What a total game-changer! Thanks, Jane! Great tips as always

Great tips, Jane! I've commented to you on this before, but pro runners always seem to have a coach or spouse or dear friend driving or riding beside them, handing them drinks and snacks and keeping their spirits up. Dedicated amateurs are the ones who face the really lonely long-distance runs. I looked through the log of someone who just ran a great debut marathon, and he had a "My Longest Run Ever" run of 22 miles that he did in 2:15. That's a "didn't wanna push it this weekend" day for lots of us.😄 Rock on

Love the idea of splitting up the long-run with mindful running and a reward! I'm totally going to try that!

great coaching tips Jane, I actually LOVE the long runs, I never run with music, but long runs give me a chance to contemplate the mysteries of the world, or at least design in my head a "recumbent bike that I want to build this spring, and other projects. I often tell myself, "you're a fine tuned machine", and I try to keep my form by saying, "get the glide stride" - you know, that stride that feels rhythmic and consistent, and somewhat comfortable. Have an Awesomeness weekend Jane

Solid advice Jane! Not enough runners use visualization to achieve their goals, but it's a huge component in success at any sport. Keep pushing!

Great tips. #3 is the key. If I am running 100k or 160k I only think of next aid station which may be at most 10k. That is a daily run in my mind. I never think of the total distance. You will grind them out mentally much easier.

Finally had time to watch this! Running is my mental escape from all the stresses of the world and life etc, it’s the only place really where nobody can bother me and I can finally have time to organize all the thoughts running about in my head. You’ve been a terrific coach so far for me and the accountability thing is very motivating to me personally. Im looking forward to my next run of any length 🙂

Oh wow! I was practicing mindful running all this time. No wonder I perform better without music!

Love the fig behind you... Thanks for sharing

on long runs in college training for marathon I recall random music would just pop into my head. I listened to alot of James Taylor, The Police, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, and Boston. The other thing I remember was that if there was some math or logic problem I had been working on sometimes I would just start trying to solve it in my head or at least I would figure out the next step. It just popped into my head. I never thought about how fast I was running and didn't wear a watch, heart monitor etc. I would usually just look at the clock at home when I left then look at the time again when I got back. I just thought about covering the distance.

Great video Jane, thanks so much! No. 4 is really my favorite too. :)

Great tips Jane. I love your videos. I always learn something new

Thank you so much for this! It's so timely that I bumped into this episode before my first long run (following the Hal Higdon Novice 1). Excited for your future contents!

I found myself nodding along to all of this, it's as if you were speaking my long run thoughts! One that I use when the going gets tough is to try to mix things up a bit by focusing on one small aspect of running form for a short while to distract me - eg varying my stride length, how my feet are striking, breathing rhythm etc.

Great video! I’ve been struggling mentally with the long run and I’m really excited to try some of these tips! I love the breaking up the long run into bite size chunks as well as the mindful running the best. Excited to try these out on my next long run!

Great tips!! The long run can be very intimidating. I like all of the tips and breaking up the long run in 5 mile sections. Thank you for sharing!!

Some great tips. Just did 20 mile run, 22 coming up in 2 weeks. Running with the running group makes all the difference. Mental strength is definitely my weakest point. I'll think about all of these. The one about "I've come this far" is a great one. That's what I told myself on last 4 of 20.

Thanks for the great tips. I read about a woman who would picture her arms as carrying a baby, when I get tired I say to myself "don't drop the baby " it makes me smile and laugh, smiling and laughter are stress reducers, it usually works 😊