Opinion – In the Race: I’m thinking about giving up the race. And now?

“Pain is fleeting. But giving up is forever.”

Those who participate in street competitions have already come across messages like this. In a country where even the main marathons are held in empty streets and without the applause of the public, motivational phrases help the athlete to run to the finish line.

Inspirational phrases help, but they are not enough. In a race, head and body need to be in sync. It’s no use for the brain to send messages to continue if the leg hurts from a muscle injury. And perfect fitness is of no use when the mind simply decides you’re not going to finish the race. There’s leg left, but lack of will.

When head and legs don’t get along, the athlete gives up (or resists, who knows at what cost), but the next day life starts again. One step at a time, one day after another.

That’s not the problem. We all have bad days. But what to do when the bad days are so many that it makes you want to quit the sport? This text is for you who think or have thought about giving up for real. Quit the race for good.

To drop or not to drop?

Don’t believe the cute advertisements from sporting goods companies when they tell you that giving up is not an option. Between us, it’s always possible to give up. And this idea has crossed the minds of many runners.

I will speak of my personal example. I run for pleasure. But there are times when you have to make a Herculean effort to put your shoes on and go out to train. It has happened because of injury, lack of time, laziness or being overweight. Each step seems to weigh a ton.

And what’s the secret to keep going? Understand how motivation works, and feed it back whenever possible. It seems like a common place, but there are a lot of good people studying the subject. Performance expert Steve Magness, author of “The Science of Running: How to Find Your Limit and Train to Maximize Your Performance,” lists some basic rules to keep motivation high. It helped me, and I hope it helps you too:

find your motivation

Run faster and faster? Travel longer distances? Have a healthy life? Win medals and make friends in races? Staying motivated is easier when you identify and pursue the reward you find in running. Always remember what made you start running – this reason is probably still valid and can still encourage you to keep going.

Here’s a warning. Beware of the most insidious of motivations: losing weight. Many runners get frustrated when they train and the scales don’t move. Any physical activity helps with weight loss, but your weight depends more on what you eat during the day than what you do in your workout.

manage expectations

If you’ve just started running, don’t make the marathon your first goal. Given the difficulty of the test, the chances of you being frustrated – or injured, or both – are quite high. Instead, set achievable goals. Make a gradual and doable plan. The joy of completing a goal will fuel the next challenge. One step at a time.

Believe in yourself

Do not be afraid to dare. This rule may seem contradictory to the previous one, but it is not. Many runners settle for believing that a given challenge is beyond their capabilities. Well, in most cases, there’s only one way to know – go out there and do it. Even amateur athletes like you and I are capable of incredible feats. We just can’t give up before trying.

Is that you? Have you ever thought about stopping? And what motivates you to race? Tell us in the comments or write to [email protected]