Assessing your strengths and weaknesses is key for building self awareness and also knowing what you should work on! When we know where we could use a little work, we can channel our energy to that area of life. This is important for your personal life as well as for your running. You will be able to better reach your potential when you know what direction to go. We have 3 areas of runner traits we are going to address in this episode as well as ways to turn your weaknesses into your strengths. For more information on this we have a commit60 mental training toolkit on our website that goes into this in depth.

Weaknesses

1- impatient- you want results right away, you speed up at the end of runs

Forced into a waiting pattern with winter, illness, pregnancy, etc.

Some people say they can’t slow down on their easy days:

• Make yourself wait
• Meditation/mindfulness
• Deep breathing
• Yoga
• Read
• Do a puzzle
• Accept what you cannot change & practice empathy

2- Too negative/self critical- you beat yourself up, perfectionist tendencies, unable to see positives, can lead to black or white thinking

• Mindfulness
• Recognize your triggers
• Come up with neutral statements instead
• Try a gratitude journal

3- inconsistent- lacking organization or discipline

• Routine
• Run streak
• Accountability buddy
• Building a habit/habit stacking

4-insecurity- doesn’t believe in themselves, races workouts, pushing it on easy days

• Practice self care: nutrition, sleep, boundaries
• Maybe you always wanted a coach or to buy a certain pair of shoes: do it!
• Step away from toxic people, spend time with people who make you feel good
• Write down a list of things you are good at

5- Lack of experience- pacing, grows with time, technical

• Get experience
• Sign up for races
• Hire a coach
• Try new workouts

6-over analyzing- focusing too much on the details

• What do you over analyze?
• Weekly mileage (run 49.5 miles one week)
• Paces (don’t hit your paces)
• Run streaks (break it)
• Certain workouts (eliminate something you think is super important- IE yassos 800)

• How many 20 milers (run 18-19 milers)

• Focus on trusting the big picture