I finished Born to Run, a book by Christopher McDougall, a book I think every runner should read – that is, if there are any left out there who haven’t read it yet. Anyhow, I finished the book months ago, yet certain parts of it just keep popping up in my mind. Lately, it’s been this one:
“Running a hundred miles wasn’t painless for the Tarahumara, either: they had to face their doubts, and silence the little devil on their shoulder who kept whispering excellent reasons in their ears for quitting.”
I know that little devil. He comes along on every run. He’s with me at every one of my workouts. Hell, he shows up all sorts of places. He really gets around. I bet he sits on your shoulder as well.
He doesn’t just harass distance runners. He’s right there whispering away any time we push ourselves even one step outside of our comfort zone. During sprints, during weight training, during bodyweight training, during yoga, during cardio activities, during martial arts, and even while playing our favorite sports. He’s on my shoulder, your shoulder, and the shoulders of every professional athlete (and I mean REAL athletes who play REAL sports). Anyone who pushes themselves, exerts themselves, and makes their bodies really work knows this devil.
Many people just give in when he speaks. They listen and obey when he starts with all his great reasons to ease up, back off, trim off some time, not push so hard, or just quit. Then there are others. The ones who know that voice and know that their success depends on their ability to answer back to that devil, to silence him and show him who’s boss. People like me!
I’ve gotten to know him quite well lately. He joins me every Saturday as I do my long runs that are part of my training plan for my upcoming LA Marathon. He’s with me every evening, telling me all the reasons I don’t need to be doing a second workout. He’s shows up every time I do a tough workout of any kind. Here’s how I deal with that little devil and all his words:
First I am never surprised when he shows up. I expect him. I anticipate his arrival.
Second, I am ready for him. I have my answers ready for him. He gives me a great reason to ease up or skip out and I talk right back to him. This morning as he harassed me on my 9 mile run, I reminded him out loud, “I am a runner! I am a marathoner! I am going to run all 26.2 miles of that race on March 21st! I am strong and I feel great on this run!”
See, here’s the thing. He starts by just trying to get you to think about how hard something is. Maybe he reminds you of how hard you’ve been working, how sore your muscles are. Then he just keeps on yapping away about how much further you have to go, how many more reps you have to do, how much effort its taking, and every little ache. If he can get you thinking all about how hard it is, the next thing you know he starts in with talk about how it’s just too hard. He plants ideas about it being so tough, about your not being able to do it, about how silly it is to be trying this at your age (that last part about age is probably just for me).
If you let those thoughts stick around, your run or workout will only feel harder. It’s absolutely true! Your mind is so very powerful. Once you start thinking “I just can’t,” you are in trouble. You must eliminate every single negative, self-defeating thought right away. Do not let your mind think about how hard it is, about how you can’t do it, can’t finish it, can’t lift it, or how bad it hurts. Not for one second!
Hit DELETE right away, as soon as those thoughts pop up. Use your mantra, a word, a phrase, or sentence that reminds you of your goal, your strength, your determination, your unwillingness to quit. Say it out loud. Yell it if you must. Just start saying, “Yes, I can! And YES I WILL!” as loud and powerfully as you can. It will change everything!
