Today, some in EN made this comment:
I’ve have always had, (and I assume most other endurance athletes do), times during workouts where the mind just goes “off” somewhere. It can range from mild/brief to almost borderline out-of-body. Not necessarily every workout, but consistent enough that I assumed it was endorphin related maybe, and thus a good/natural response…almost a protective mechanism so-to-speak to what you’re putting your body through..
But today during such an experience I had the thought (after coming out of it), that maybe this is something to try to avoid, or fight against in order to focus more.Like especially during swimming or running, to pay attention to mechanics.
Just curious as to how common this sort of thing is, and thoughts on if it’s OK to just “enjoy the trip”, or if trying to have laser focus is better.
My response:
I’ve been mulling this off and on all day. I’m very interested in general about how the conscious mind participates in athletic endevours. Going back to the Original Post, I’d respond that I never find myself losing awareness of what I’m doing at any moment. My goal, I think, is fo train myself (ie, my conscious mind) to be simultaneously aware of what my body is doing, but to try an have as little control over it ( what my body is doing) as necessary. Meaning, i want my body to be in charge of what’s happening, to be able to run the show, to be able to work at a predetermined effort level at all times. The job of my mind is to monitor stuff, to make sure that’s happening. Breathing, RPE, HR, pace, power, strokes per lap, as well as the physical motions themselves – all that requires a fair amount of attention. So,I never “lose myself” in the activity in the sense that I’m zoned out. But I do think I “lose myself” in the sense that I give myself – my conscious mind – totally over to the activity in question.
As Tim and Rich both suggest, I think that skill is quite useful come race day. But unless it is practiced assiduously in training, it won’t be there during the 2 or 5 or 12 continuous hours needed during the race.
Needless to say, I’m not one of those people who sees running as a spiritual activity. To me, it’s the tool I use to get from Point A to Point B as fast as possible on the third leg of a triathlon.
Maybe it’s my desire to keep my mind aware, but not intruding, that makes me do thing like count every stroke while I’m swimming, watch junk semi sci-fi action TV shows while on the trainer, and listen to my iPod when on the treadmill or a long run. Like Anu, though, when outside on the bike, attention to the safety aspects of cycling fills the same niche. In 1997, I cycled across the country, and I don’t think there was one moment when I lost myself im the scenary. If I wasn’t looking out for cars in all directions, I was scanning the pavement for all manner of potential disaster.