Runners routines and rituals or Controlling the uncontrollable.
Runners like any other athlete develop coping mechanisms, routines and rituals. (or nervous ticks)
Listening to the same song, shaking you head from side to side, performing a particular stretch routine, making the sign of the cross or putting a certain shoe on first. Runners employ many methods in order to get into the zone, many of them with no logical basis. The objective is to try to block out the environment, focusing all thoughts into one, and above all reinforce the idea that everything is ok.
Superstitions, fixations, ideas or routines, call it what you want, but most runners need a 'safe place'. They need to repeat a sequence of actions, however insignificant, to help them concentrate and stay focused. If you did a survey many of us would admit to the same procedures, but each uses his own little mechanism to try to have a sense of control over something that is beyond control. The weather, injury or even failure, these are just some of the drawbacks of long distance running, but still most runners convince themselves that they can be overcome or avoided if they just keep following the routine.
Concentration, disconnection, abstraction, responses to fear, these are all area’s that can be trained and over a long race are almost evenly combined. Unfortunately, while most of us long distance runners are “elite athletes” and act as such to many extents, we neglect to take care of certain aspects that are more important than other. Many extremely talented runners have been left behind due to their bad habits, which they fail to deal with when their performance slumps.
Training daily, eating a healthy diet and resting is the bread and butter of any reasonably good athlete. Training the mind in order to face the pressure of the big occasion is also fundamental to optimizing performance. Being able to concentrate and manage intense moments of concentration is basic. Runners must know how to structure a long race and stick to the plan (if they have one) and focus to perform at their best. There are two types of concentration: introspection, used to loosen up, and fixation on outside factors. Rest is also crucial to avoid excessive fatigue, both physical and metal, which can affect overall performance. The better your performance, the easier it is to rest. If you are too self-critical you may analyse all the reasons why and will not disconnect.
Do not confuse rest with isolation, which can sometimes form part of the period before concentration can begin. Finding a place to eat alone, escaping or just a nap, are some basic mechanisms to release tension and drive away negative thoughts. Some runners reach such levels of concentration that they are little more than zombies, their bodies roaming the finish area after a race, but their thoughts elsewhere.
'Controlling the uncontrollable' also applies to fear, certainly my biggest enemy. In sport there are many types of fear and one of the most significant is the fear of failure.The natural human response to fear is paralysis, avoidance and struggle. Runners who take a big fall and jump back up without pause are crazy!' It is a common enough remark but there is little truth to it. The accumulated level of adrenaline is such that a runners first thought after a fall in the middle of a race is, quick, I need to get back up because the race is nearly over,' not 'oh dear, I fell, i could have broken something!
Often my fear appears later when in the cold light of day i think again about the damage i could have possibly done. This fear is more a friend than foe, as it helps me to recognize my limits. In contrast, excessive fear or panic may block logical though, becoming a handicap for a runner or indeed any other person.
In order to understand a little more the grey matter of a runner we see self-belief as another way to face reality. Very important indeed. There is scientific evidence that positive or indeed negative thinking influences brain responses. But be careful, your self-belief must come from an objective place. And humility must be your universal force. Think that it is best to be positive, without losing sight that in order to win, every battle must be fought first. Arrogance and overconfidence are a fast track to failure.
That said, when you see a runner or other athlete doing some strange gesture or following a curious ritual, do not be surprised, it is their way of trying to get a sense of control over something that is basically uncontrollable.
