“Discomfort is not the enemy”
When you get feedback that your body is not comfortable, get more information. Does that mean to stop immediately or there will be an injury? Does that feedback mean that your body prefers comfort and that you can push through it without consequences? Does it mean a minor adjustment? Can you dismiss the discomfort Are you willing to have some discomfort in your life to achieve your goals? What are you willing to sacrifice to get where you want to go? Again, do not push through if that means you injure yourself!
Keep pushing your comfort zone and you will realize that you have more options in life. Distress is part of being alive and learning to live with it makes us stronger. We can bounce back better when we realize it will not harm us.
So discomfort wants to come along for the ride? If you feel like you have to avoid or escape it, you will focus too much on it and not on the task at hand. That type of pain is a distraction that you can practice dismissing out of hand. Or you can give it power over you and stop whenever you are not comfortable. I am not convinced that strategy will get you where you want to go.
It doesn’t feel comfortable to push yourself, but is comfort your goal?
When you feel fatigued, what are you going to say to yourself to continue going?
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Practice doing this during practice, every day. This is your main obstacle.
I have control over my breathing and my stride right now. I am focusing where I need to focus.
I’m noticing and acknowledging discomfort and can let it go now. It is not worth changing anything.
I’ve practiced all season for this. I know what I want.
If I am tired, then so are they. This is the time to push it. I have more in my tank.
What is up ahead?
So that is today’s challenge, huh? I am prepared for this.
The finish line is right there.
We practice specifically for this moment. I’ve got this.
Effort and practice is what will get me there
Discomfort is inconvenient, not a reason to stop.
I can push hard even when I don’t feel like it
It doesn’t matter that I feel tired, my body can do this
I have practiced so hard for this, I know how to push through
I am focusing on the game, the race, performance, event
I do not need to judge this sensation
Let it be until after the race
I can handle this, just keep pushing, I am almost there
I know how to deal with this, because I push it during practice
I got this, I just have to finish now
I’m almost done and I can rest when I am done
One more lap to go
I’m almost there
Focus on what matters, finishing this race
This is just one race, one game, it does not define me
Consider picturing yourself during the game, race or event and feeling sensations of fatigue.
They will come if you push yourself. Right now, say this “Fatigue is okay to have, it is natural and it is not a signal to stop. It is a reminder to check in and adjust. I am safe, this is okay. Fatigue means that I am pushing myself, as planned and having a good race. The pace is sustainable and hard. That’s a good sign and I know what to do when I feel fatigue. I got this.” Pay attention to how your body responded to that. Adjust the wording to fit you and reassure yourself. Remind yourself in your own words that it is possible and your body will respond.
Let’s face it, if you are really pushing it, you are likely to get self-absorbed with pain and then focus internally, when you would do better to focus on something outside of your body (aches and pains), which is a challenge. Create a strategy for when this happens and practice it. Get in a bunch of repetitions so that you don’t become preoccupied with how your body feels.
How do you pay more attention to good self talk? You practice it. Any time you notice negative voices, you challenge them. Never let them have free reign.
When you get feedback that your body is not comfortable, get more information. Does that mean to stop immediately or there will be an injury? Does that feedback mean that your body prefers comfort and that you can push through it without consequences? Does it mean a minor adjustment? Can you dismiss the discomfort Are you willing to have some discomfort in your life to achieve your goals? What are you willing to sacrifice to get where you want to go? Again, do not push through if that means you injure yourself!
Keep pushing your comfort zone and you will realize that you have more options in life. Distress is part of being alive and learning to live with it makes us stronger. We can bounce back better when we realize it will not harm us.
So discomfort wants to come along for the ride? If you feel like you have to avoid or escape it, you will focus too much on it and not on the task at hand. That type of pain is a distraction that you can practice dismissing out of hand. Or you can give it power over you and stop whenever you are not comfortable. I am not convinced that strategy will get you where you want to go.
It doesn’t feel comfortable to push yourself, but is comfort your goal?
When you feel fatigued, what are you going to say to yourself to continue going?
1
2
3
4
Practice doing this during practice, every day. This is your main obstacle.
I have control over my breathing and my stride right now. I am focusing where I need to focus.
I’m noticing and acknowledging discomfort and can let it go now. It is not worth changing anything.
I’ve practiced all season for this. I know what I want.
If I am tired, then so are they. This is the time to push it. I have more in my tank.
What is up ahead?
So that is today’s challenge, huh? I am prepared for this.
The finish line is right there.
We practice specifically for this moment. I’ve got this.
Effort and practice is what will get me there
Discomfort is inconvenient, not a reason to stop.
I can push hard even when I don’t feel like it
It doesn’t matter that I feel tired, my body can do this
I have practiced so hard for this, I know how to push through
I am focusing on the game, the race, performance, event
I do not need to judge this sensation
Let it be until after the race
I can handle this, just keep pushing, I am almost there
I know how to deal with this, because I push it during practice
I got this, I just have to finish now
I’m almost done and I can rest when I am done
One more lap to go
I’m almost there
Focus on what matters, finishing this race
This is just one race, one game, it does not define me
Consider picturing yourself during the game, race or event and feeling sensations of fatigue.
They will come if you push yourself. Right now, say this “Fatigue is okay to have, it is natural and it is not a signal to stop. It is a reminder to check in and adjust. I am safe, this is okay. Fatigue means that I am pushing myself, as planned and having a good race. The pace is sustainable and hard. That’s a good sign and I know what to do when I feel fatigue. I got this.” Pay attention to how your body responded to that. Adjust the wording to fit you and reassure yourself. Remind yourself in your own words that it is possible and your body will respond.
Let’s face it, if you are really pushing it, you are likely to get self-absorbed with pain and then focus internally, when you would do better to focus on something outside of your body (aches and pains), which is a challenge. Create a strategy for when this happens and practice it. Get in a bunch of repetitions so that you don’t become preoccupied with how your body feels.
How do you pay more attention to good self talk? You practice it. Any time you notice negative voices, you challenge them. Never let them have free reign.
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