We often talk on the Any Given Runday podcast about how getting out the door and going for a run is the hardest part. Getting yourself mentally prepared to run, as well as mentally prepared for the distance/type of training, can be the difference between a great session and not doing a session at all.

Getting a routine down that gets you out the door for running/training can help. Get organised. Whether that is in your warm-up routine or simply having your clothes laid out for training, the idea is to create the least path of resistance to getting a workout in. The bigger the effort before the session, the more the mind will argue with you on whether you should train or have the day off.

But this can also play a factor in how you get on in a session, as I talk about on this week's episode of the podcast (Spotify HERE and Apple Podcasts HERE).

The previous week, I had to stop at the 19km mark, on a day he intended to do 26km. A week later, I could do 32km. I did not get that much fitter over the week. The difference? The mental approach to the run. I also briefly talk about this in an Instagram post over the weekend HERE.

Being prepared is half the battle. Knowing the programme you are on, why you are on it and what it is building you up towards. If you constantly rely on motivation alone to train, there will be days where you won't have it in you. it happens to all of us.

It's like sitting down to watch a long movie. If you're scrolling through Netflix on a random evening, you're less likely to watch that 3 hour epic movie as opposed to something light. But if you have built yourself up to watch that movie on a Saturday evening, those 3 hours don't seem as daunting.

The difference is setting up the right habits around training and nutrition to develop consistency as well as having the right plan that works towards your goals.

We're halfway through the week. Make the plan and get after it today!

The AGTD Team

PS: 6 Weeks Online Personal Coaching with Any Given Training Day: https://www.trainerize.me/profile/anygiventrainingday/?planID=151448&mode=checkout

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Getting mentally prepared to train

Sean Coffey