"Will Power"

[rhssprinter]

I'm not sure if this is the right word for it but whatever. When ever I am running distance/sprints whatever I always seem to give up. The other day I was at the track timing a 400 and I was just like 'ya know I could go faster but I'm just not going to' and when I was running 100s I would always let up and stuff. Any tips on how to get over this?

[txboi800]

Get out and run a race if you haven't in a while. Go do a local 5k or something. It works for me every time, cuz I get like that in the winter when I'm not racing much anymore.

[rhssprinter]

Well I'm racing in a 'fun' summer meet tomorrow night so I guess I'll see how that goes but judging by the previous meet in this series there won't be must competition for me which in a way sucks because I really do want to get better and need some pushing.

[sharp.distance.]

I'm not sure if this is the right word for it but whatever. When ever I am running distance/sprints whatever I always seem to give up. The other day I was at the track timing a 400 and I was just like 'ya know I could go faster but I'm just not going to' and when I was running 100s I would always let up and stuff. Any tips on how to get over this?

If you wanted it bad enough for yourself and wanted to work your rear off to get good, you would be doing just that. But you're not. It's not a complex problem or whatever, it's more or less as simple as that.

[rhssprinter]

If you wanted it bad enough for yourself and wanted to work your rear off to get good, you would be doing just that. But you're not. It's not a complex problem or whatever, it's more or less as simple as that.

Um I don't really think it is as 'simple' as that. I guess you just don't understand how much I want this. I've been running everyday and going to the gym and everything while I could be doing better stuff. I really want to take like 10 seconds off my 400 time and I've been working my butt off trying.

[riggles]

One of my teammates has the same problem, he runs well in practice but never really makes the jump to competing well. Even if he starts out harder, he ends up giving up. You can see the physical change when it happens and I think it's completely mental.

[Turin Turambar]

Never give up. Ever.

Turin Turambar

[AzN at LARGE]

I really want to take like 10 seconds off my 400 time

I'm all for bold goals, but this might be a tad too bold.

[rhssprinter]

I'm all for bold goals, but this might be a tad too bold.

Once again I don't think so (haha) Since I only ran the race once after already competing all day and running on a light stress fracture. I know I can bring it down at least 6 seconds.

[rams07]

whats your 400 pr

[sharp.distance.]

Um I don't really think it is as 'simple' as that. I guess you just don't understand how much I want this. I've been running everyday and going to the gym and everything while I could be doing better stuff. I really want to take like 10 seconds off my 400 time and I've been working my butt off trying.

Fine, call it a complex problem if you want to. No matter what you call it, the truth is that if you wanted it bad enough you wouldn't be "not going your fastest in a timed 400" and "letting up in your 100's." Like I said, I'm not gonna argue you with you on it because it's pointless to. Not to mention, I don't really care.

Sorry for sounding a little cruel, just things like this are sort of my pet peeve. Look, you're no different from anyone else. Everyone wants to drop their times and be elite and really good. But you have to have something extra than everyone else to truly be great. It's not just going to come to you, and it's certainly not going to come to you if you're slacking off in workouts, which frankly is what it sounds like you're doing.

PS- Am I all alone here? Does anyone else agree with me?

[Jason]

Why are you running 100s and 400s in July?

[sharp.distance.]

Why are you running 100s and 400s in July?

It sounds like he's one of the few sprinters that post on here. Yes, I know it's rare, since 99% of the people that post here are distance runners..

[ARAGON FroBoy]

Um I don't really think it is as 'simple' as that. I guess you just don't understand how much I want this. I've been running everyday and going to the gym and everything while I could be doing better stuff. I really want to take like 10 seconds off my 400 time and I've been working my butt off trying.

These guys are just trying to help you, you fool. I mean dam, sharp here is telling it like it is -- you can work hard every day and train your ass off, but it doesn't matter, you need to summon up the mental toughness on your own. Nobody here can help you with that. It is really, really hard to push yourself to the max alone in practice, most people simply can not do that.

There are a lot of people on here who work their butts off every day, day after day. Hell, there are guys on here running 100 mile weeks, so dont whine about how you are training hard and not getting anywhere. There are no miracles in running. Good luck with the head games, bud.

[Kryptonite]

When you think you could be going faster those are the times you should be pushing yourself harder. I cant really help ya out because truthfully Ive never thought I could be going harder but didnt...Every day I give everything I have in everything I do I wasnt born with talent for running Im just one of those rare kids that are so dedicated and such a hardworker that after four years of killing myself in practice I am now beating those "talented" runners. No great athlete just was born with world record times, or for high school purposes state champion times. Im not saying all the time but a lot of the time those are the kids that are so dedicated and willing to never do less than their best day in and day out. Im sure you want it but really how bad do you want it. Ya just have to write down those negative thoughts on a piece of paper and flush them down the toilet.

[mfree20]

1. Sharp is right, you sound like a slacker. Stay focused.
2. Running 400s all summer wont get your 400 time down 10 seconds (btw, is your time like 60??) If your coach is not directing your workouts, try this:
a) Run distance throughout the summer and stay off the track unless its to run mile repeats or something. Build up your aerobic capacity- get in shape. Set goals for each workout and make every effort to meet the goals (7:00 pace, etc.) Supplement the distance with strength training- you can buy a book for that, and set goals for that as well. Run two 5Ks over the remainder of the summer.
b) Run Cross in the fall. Do the same workouts as everyone else, and work your @ss off. Get your 5K time down over the course of the season.
c) by the winter, you are in good shape. Hit the speed work hard, and stay focused (that is, if you have indoor track). Keep your life interesting with a social life, and other interests so you dont think track is the only thing going on in the world.
d) Come spring, do your best and set reasonable goals. Half a second is a lot in the 4. 10 seconds is 1/5 of the race for most high school runners. That would be like cutting a minute of your mile time, or 25 seconds off your 800.

There are many ways to train for the 400, this is a distance approach since you posted on a distance board (the people with the most "will power") :D

In any sport, people have ruts. Work through it and change things up if necessary. To quote from dodgeball- "Keep the body guessing"