Ep#368 Mental prep for a long run

Welcome to the Not Your Average Runner podcast. If you’ve never felt athletic, but you still dream about becoming a runner, you are in the right place. I’m Jill Angie, and I help fat women over 40 to start running, feel confident and change their lives. I have worked with thousands of women to help them achieve their running goals.

And now I want to help you.

Hey there, Runner. Welcome back to another episode of the Not Your Average Runner podcast, the show that is here to get you running safely and confidently, no matter your size. As always, I am Jill Angie, your coach and running BFF, and today’s warmup is a pretty big topic. It’s what to do when you start feeling self-conscious while you’re out running or exercising in public.

So as always, you start walking and I’ll start talking. All right, my friend, let’s be real. So, feeling self-conscious while you’re running is something that most of us deal with. And you know, especially in a world that loves to tell us that running is only for certain types of bodies.

It can be pretty overwhelming. But of course, you know, and I know that running is for everybody and you absolutely belong on that sidewalk, that track, that trail just as much as anyone else. It’s just that sometimes we forget that, and we think that other people’s opinions of our bodies matters.

So today I’m going to share a few tips and some mindset shifts that can help you move past those feelings of self-consciousness and focus on what really matters, which is enjoying your run and feeling good in your body and being proud of your badass self for taking the time to show up.

So, first things first, I want you to remember that most people are way too focused on themselves to be judging you. And I get it. It feels like everybody is looking at you, but the truth is people are self-involved. They are so wrapped up in their own thoughts, routines, their own insecurities for that matter that they are not paying nearly as much attention to you as it might seem.

Okay. In fact, they might even be looking at you thinking, ‘wow, that’s amazing. Look at her getting out there and doing it.’ So. remind yourself as many times as you need to that most people are not looking at you with judgment. They’re probably just minding their own business or thinking about themselves, right?

Now, another thing to keep in mind for that very tiny little percentage of other people that are actually paying attention to you, what someone else thinks about your body, your run is none of your fucking business. And yeah, that might sound a little harsh, but it is absolutely true because you are running for you, not for anyone else.

So, if someone has something negative to say, all right, you’re a big girl. You can handle it. It’s a reflection of their own issues. It is not a reflection of your worth or your value or your body. Okay? You are not here to fit into anyone else’s idea of a runner, and you do not need anyone else’s validation to enjoy your workout.

Okay? And if you need to hit that 10 second back button and re listen to it, do it right now.

So, let’s talk about your mindset going into your run, especially today, because you’re listening to this right now. So, one of the best ways to start feeling more confident is to set a positive intention before you even start that interval timer, okay?

Instead of thinking about how you look, I want you to spend today’s run thinking about how running makes you feel. Like, get in your body, be in your body, don’t be outside worrying about everybody else, focus on how you feel, focus on why you decided to start running in the first place. Focus on what running is giving you.

Okay? Are you running for your mental health? Are you running for strength, for fun, for fitness, for whatever? Let that intention be your guide. Come back to it anytime you start to feel self-conscious. And the thing is when you are focused on why you are running, why it’s important to you, the opinions of other people seem a whole lot less important.

All right now another great tip – please wear clothes that make you feel good. Don’t wear something that’s too tight that you feel strangled in or something that is so loose that you feel lost All right? Wear comfortable well-fitting gear and that’s going to make a huge difference in how you feel on a run, right?

If you dress like a runner, you’re going to feel more like a runner. So, find clothes that support you, that feel good on your skin that help you with the, the jiggle, right? We all know what the jiggle is. So, get some, get yourself some tights that control that a little bit. Find clothes that give you the confidence to take up the space you deserve.

All right? Doesn’t have to be expensive. Just something that makes you feel like a runner. All right? Because when you’re comfortable in what you’re wearing, you are much less likely to worry about how you look to others.

Another big one is to remember that you are setting an example for other people. All right? so there is a good chance that somebody out there, maybe a passerby, a neighbor, someone driving by, whatever it is, is like sees you run and thinks, Hmm, well, if they can do it, maybe I can do it.

So, by running confidently in your own body, you are showing others that they can do it too. So, every time you step out there, you’re breaking stereotypes, you’re paving the way for someone else to feel like they belong. Like, that is important, it’s important, and you will probably never even know how many people you’ve influenced, but they are out there, I promise, alright?

And finally, give yourself permission to run your way. There is no rule that says every runner has to be fast or lean or look a certain way, so I want you to let go of any shoulds that you have in your mind. You don’t have to look like anyone else. You don’t have to be as fast as anybody else. You don’t have to run like anybody else.

None of it. There’s no one else like you out there and that’s your superpower. Okay? So, you do you. So, the next time you feel self-conscious and especially if that’s today, right? Maybe this is, maybe this podcast is showing up at the perfect time for you. I want you to remind yourself you’re out there, you’re moving, and that’s what counts focus on the joy of the run, the strength of your body, the pride you feel for showing up. You have got this my friend go out there and own it.

All right! So that is it for today.

If you are loving the show, please don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review and share with your friends. Tell everybody.  And now it is time for you to start that interval timer and run and I’ll talk to you next week.

Real quick before you go. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, you have to check out my seven day jumpstart plan. It is a free downloadable guide that will teach you exactly how to start running safely and confidently in the body you have right now. Head on over to notyouraveragerunner.com/jumpstart to grab it.

That’s notyouraveragerunner.com/jumpstart. I’d love to be a part of your journey.