Proof that Running is More Mental than Physical

Lately, I have been experimenting with running a little and I have come up with these two proofs that running is more mental than physical.

1)

Lately on all my runs I get so tired for the last two miles.

It doesn't matter how far I'm running...I could be running 2 miles or 20 miles. Whatever distance it is, for the last two miles I am just so tired and feel like I can't go any more. I'll even start getting physical signs, like shins, knees, hips & quads will start hurting or the other day I started having pain in my chest and shortness of breath and I thought I was having a heart attack.

BUT as soon as I get through those last two miles, I have this feeling like I can run all day. I don't know if I feel really high from accomplishing the goal for that day, or if I just got through the mental hard part.

2)

Music. I asked a friend of mine to help me with a training plan for a 10k. The goal is to run a 10k in under 60 minutes (something I've already accomplished in the training plan, btw).

In this training plan, I was supposed to do speed workouts of half mile repeats at 8:30 pace. I could not for the life of me, complete this. I could do half mile repeats at 8:45. I could do quarter mile repeats at 8:15. But I could not bring myself to run for a full half mile at an 8:30 pace.

Finally, I updated the iPod. The iPod served to block out the thoughts in my head that told me I couldn't do this or I would have a heart attack or fall of the treadmill and guess what? Once I had the music blocking out the negative thoughts, I did it 3 times in one run! And I've done it since then without music, but only because I had already done it and knew I could.

All proof that running is so much more mental than physical.

The lesson: If you believe you can do it, then you can do it!