Once a distance runner, always a distance runner. Is that a saying? It should be. I think once we reach that threshold where long distance running becomes the norm, it’s hard to ever go back.
Every time I have been injured I question how I will ever get back to running x miles or x pace. And every time I do it, it’s not as hard as I expected. For me, there is the initial struggle of getting back to running at all. Like those first few runs back, even if I’m doing a 2 mile run/walk, are a struggle.
Then it seems like once I can do 3 miles comfortably, I could run forever if my body would let me. That’s an exaggeration, but for the most part my endurance comes pretty naturally. Things like hills and humidity make certain runs a struggle. Once my mind decides I am going to do something, my body usually follows suit.
Maybe this is what gets me in to trouble, but overall I think it’s a good quality. I know I am lucky to be able to come back to running and jump into a 10 mile run barely even thinking about it. I also know that it’s due in part to many years of long runs, where my mind had to convince my body to do something challenging.
As runners we need to train both our minds and our bodies. Just like the physical aspect of training, the mental part is really important. I think that when we take time off of running for whatever reason, we get “out of shape” both mentally and physically. The more experience you have with the mental side of training, the quicker that comes back.
I’ve talked before about how my mind is my own worst enemy. In a way, that’s true. But it is also one of my greatest strengths. There have been races where I mentally gave up and those have been the races that were the worst experiences for me. When I can keep my mind positive and strong, my best running happens.
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Do you feel like you will always be a distance runner at heart?
Which comes back faster for you- physical fitness or mental strength?
How do you overcome runs or races where your mind is not in the right place?
I think it’s so true that once we are distance runners, we always have it in us. even now, as I decide that I want to run less, I still find myself running 7 miles, 10 miles, 11 miles like nothing – when I feel like it. so much of it is mental but we also built ourselves up physically enough to run these distances which we forget really aren’t the average! I’m glad you are back to running and able to run 10 miles again!
Its so true that we have spent so many years getting our bodies and minds used to running long distances, it just seems to be the norm!
This summer I can’t remember the last time I did double digit running due to my crazy work schedule. And I thought it would be a struggle to get back to double digits again. But once every thing settled down I was able to jump back into it with no problem, and have been able to do back to back long runs.
It really does come back pretty quick!
I think there’s so much to be said for muscle memory. When I’m coming back from injury or a runbattical, I can feel my body sort of “click in” to each increasing distance. It’ll protest for a second then get on the program. I also think running is one of the best things for mental toughness. Once I’ve done a certain distance mentally I know I can do it again.
Yep I totally agree! I know exactly what you mean about your body “clicking” into each increasing distance.
You know that in my heart, I am always going to be a distance runner. My sister and I talked about that this weekend. She tried to convince me that running short distances is equally as satisfying. You and I know differently.
Hopefully, your ability to run long distances will come back. I think it will. You’re young–you’ve got a lot more miles to run. I feel your sadness about your current state and I can empathize with you completely.
I guess we just have to try to accept what our bodies let us do. Right now Im feeling good and just going with it, but I know that could change. I hope that we can both figure out ways to continue running long distances!
100% always a distance runner. No question.
Absolutely!
100% true! When I got back to running earlier this year, the physical part was hard because i felt out of shape, but the mental part was even harder because I had a lot of self doubt.
The self doubt can be such a challenge to overcome!
I feel like my version of distance running is not actually what distance running is. In high school, I was on the distance running team since I ran everything 800m or higher but 5ks are really considered distance. I think I will always like running longer distances though!
So this weekend, my mind went super negative super fast and I wanted to quit on my run. This may be dramatic but I started to think about all of the injured and deceased from Las Vegas and how I’m so lucky to be healthy enough to run which helped me keep going. Mental strength is just as important as physical strength!
It can definitely be helpful to feel gratitude about being able to run when things get tough!
Very interesting topic! I think running distance after not doing it for awhile can be scary for me. Sometimes I just don’t like at my Garmin at all until I know I have at least like 8 miles in or something. Sometimes I move it to the trail because that just seems less daunting!
I play all sorts of mind games when coming back to running. It definitely helps to not pay attention to the Garmin.
I so needed to hear this! I’m currently not able to run due to two (!!) stress fractures in my back. And I keep thinking about how hard it will be to essentially start fresh and get back to where I was. While I’m sure it will take time and effort, at least this makes me feel like I won’t necessarily be starting from scratch.
I’m so sorry about your injury! I do think you will come back faster than you expect.
Great post, Lisa. I hope that I’ll always be a distance runner! It has been an amazing journey and I’ve loved it. You are surrounded by kindred spirits!
I think my mental strength comes back quicker than the physical…though they both take a beating after a disappointing injury!
Yes, definitely! In a way they go hand in hand, but for me I think the mental part starts to click sooner than the physical.
I agree having all the experience helps with a comeback. My five miler on Saturday didn’t feel too hard, and I felt like I could keep going to get that sixth mile. I know the body remembers. Keep it up! 10 miles is really good.
Yes, the experience definitely helps!
I am happy for (and encouraged by!) your comeback! I hope to have the same success. Some injuries just take so long to “fix” that they get to be discouraging. I’m trying to keep out of “discouraged” by refocusing on my current level of fitness. Setting my expectations a bit lower! 🙂
Long injuries can be discouraging! It definitely helps to just focus on where you are now.
It’s so true that mental strength is so important, and I struggle with this, too. I used to be quite the distance runner, but I’ve backed off (I do about 5 miles, a few times a week). This feels better for me personally, both mentally and physically!
Hope you’ve had a great start to your week 🙂
Im glad you found an amount of running that works for you!
I will always be a distance runner. I think I even lose perception of what long distance is sometimes – an hour or so run feels like a short and easy run.
I definitely feel that way when Im marathon training!
I rely on other people (whether they know it or not) to motivate me and keep me going. I try to absorb their energy, their movement to flush the negative thoughts from my mind.
That is a great strategy!
I seem to always be able to jump back up to half marathons pretty quickly. I”m sure it’s because I have a strong base of distance running. I may not be fast, but I can keep going and going…
I also find it easier to run long than run fast, especially when coming back from time off!
That’s true, every time I have been injured I thought I would never get back to where I was. Yet, it just sort of happens doesn’t it?
It really does! I think our bodies just remember what to do somehow.
It’s definitely interesting how perception changes when you have reached a certain distance in your running ‘career’… 5 miles used to scare me, now I feel like I can “always” run 5 miles. It’s like your mind remembers that you’re capable, even if you had to take a break from running.
Yes, exactly!!