So this weekend I finally found an hour or so to dust off my sport psychology research. I'd forgotten what a minefield it all is. It doesn't fit into neat categories but all the theories interlink with other theories. It really is like going down the rabbit hole and my revision is going to take longer than planned!
Initially I have looked at some studies I have on mental strategies in endurance events and will be adopting some associative strategies during training and the race. Essentially this means associating with my body by focusing on pacing, breathing, technique, positive self-talk etc for the majority of the time rather than using disassociation (basically distracting myself from the pain/ sensations of running by counting sheep, looking at the scenery, planning what I'm going to have for lunch etc). Apart from decreasing the risk of injury in training and the race I can't remember why this is good but the studies were pretty scientifically sound and used both elite and non-elite subjects so we're going with it!
Other things I'm starting to look back into are achievement goal theory, motivational climate and attribution theory which are mainly going to help in the training process by setting realistic goals, and creating an environment which encourages and measures success by personal improvement rather than by comparison to others. Which I am very prone to. So, for me, this is really interesting and it's great to get back to study and use my degree for something other than adorning my bedroom wall.
So that's the mental stuff covered. Physically I am really really tired. Like pit-of-the-stomach exhausted. I definitely overdid the exercise last week and didn't really have a proper rest. Because of my tendency to just spiral out of control with my eating on rest days, I'm a little nervous about having them in case one rest day turns into two then three etc. We did run on Friday, about 6.7 miles, and I gymmed on Saturday and just did a bit of walking Sunday but was so busy I didn't really rest. This morning I did get up and go running (5 miles) but it was really really hard work today and there was just nothing in the tank. I'm still glad I went but I think in order to start clocking up the miles I need to schedule a rest day in before a running day so that I am refreshed enough to enjoy it and not just plod round.
So, on that note here's the schedule for the next few days- gym/ run tomorrow, swim Wednesday, circuits Thursday. Yep, I've really learnt my lesson. I think I might rest Friday then try a decent length run on Saturday morning i.e. 7.5miles + (Maybe even 10 if I'm feeling really enthusiastic but that is doubtful). Also am going to push to lose a little bit more weight in the next few weeks. The further I'm running the less I want to carry really! Mmm, lettuce and dust. Yummy.
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