Guest Post! Mindset Shift for Runners

Welcome to our first guest blog post and “Quick Tip Tuesday” thanks to Coach Deb Thurlow! Read a little bit about Deb and then scroll down for her take on shifting your mindset!

My name is Deb Thurlow, owner and founder of Mom Let’s Run Coaching. I am a certified run coach, health and wellness coach, and pre/postnatal fitness coach that helps busy moms run strong, let go of guilt, and courageously pursue their goals. My coaching is rooted in 3 pillars: Support and Community, Personalized Mentorship and Accountability, and Prioritizing Mental Health. Creating this coaching business has been a very personal passion project for me and one I firmly believe has the ability to change lives. Running is merely the vehicle.

The mind is truly the most powerful tool in your arsenal.

I want to share with you a technique I started implementing recently. One that I promise you will make a HUGE difference in your training. Not just training actually, but in your life.

This is a big deliver, but also one I wholeheartedly believe in.

Why??

Because it has worked for me and COUNTLESS others that I’ve worked with.

So here it is….

You are in control of your thoughts.

Read that again ⬆️.

Seriously.

As recent as a few weeks ago I was still skeptical. Probably more a case of denial if I’m being honest lol.

But I put this theory to the test and the difference it has made….

So here it is….

Still with me??

Good.

Let’s imagine for a moment that you are not particularly pleased with the result. Go back to the action you took that caused the result. Then go back to what you were feeling that caused you to take that action. (Do you know where I’m going with this??). Now go back to the thought that made you feel that way and see if you can identify the circumstance.

Here’s the challenge.

Change your thought and see how things could be different.

Example: You have a rough training run that you ultimately cut short due to lack of sleep the night before. You think, “oh no, I’m losing fitness and all this hard work is going down the drain. I’ll never be able to catch up”. You start feeling anxious, worried, and overall doubting your abilities to hit the paces your coach has set up for this week’s mile repeats. Your partner, spouse, mom, etc. (doesn’t matter who) walks in the door an hour later and forgot to pick up the groceries. You lose it and start questioning whether or not they ever listen to a thing you say.

Can you relate??

So recognize that while you can’t change the circumstance (lack of sleep), instead of THINKING the worst, change your thoughts. Man, not getting enough sleep is rough. Instead of doing X this morning, I’m going to play the day by ear and either do an easy, low-key run, or take the day off completely and go for a walk instead. Now you feel relaxed, prepared, and more in control of your situation and are able to greet your partner, spouse, mom, etc. at the door and remind them in a joking manner about picking up the groceries.

Completely. Different. Story.

No lie, I did this no less than 4 times in the last 24 hours and the load I have been carrying around has been lifted tenfold. I feel less angry and frustrated and much more at peace.

To be able to breathe 🧘🏻‍♀️ a little deeper is a freedom I cannot describe.

If this is something that helps you too, please share!!

I love ️ hearing and celebrating the little wins with clients.

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